Landing (descent or approach)

The approach to Lanyu Islands Airport was completed in poor weather conditions with heavy rain falls when the aircraft struck the water surface and crashed in the sea few km offshore. All six occupants were killed.

The pilot was cleared for an instrument approach to the airport. Once clear of clouds, the pilot was observed circling at low altitude on a closed left downwind for runway 30. Witnesses observed that on the turn from base to final, a very steep angle of bank was established as the engine power was heard being increased. Control was lost and the airplane impacted the ground inverted in a nose low attitude. A post impact fire consumed the airplane. The weather at the airport was reported as 900 overcast with 2 miles visibility in fog and haze with a light mist. Official sunset was one minute prior to the impact. Both occupants were killed.

The instrument rated pilot was en route to pick up cargo. He received three preflight weather briefings earlier that indicated snow, mountain obscuration, and low visibility. He reported, 'seeing the lights of university,' and requested a contact approach. He also said that if he could not get in, he would make an ils approach. When the airplane was 4 miles south of the airport, the New York air traffic controller cleared the pilot for a contact approach to runway 24. A witness reported hearing a low flying airplane. He stated that it was snowing heavily and he saw the tail light of an airplane briefly through the snow. He also reported that a snow squall was in the area at the time. Shortly afterward, he heard what was later determined to be the sound of the collision. Search personnel located the wreckage 3.3 miles south of the airport on top of mount nittany which was about 2000 feet high. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

The pilot stated that when the flight was on final approach, 'the aircraft suddenly stopped flying and contacted the snow...came to a stop about 500 feet down the runway on the centerline. All 3 gears were folded back.' The airplane had been washed the night before and then rolled outside into -5° temperature. Ice was found in the airplane static system.

The pilot tried to activate the radio-controlled runway boundary lights about 10 miles away, and also while he was in the traffic pattern, but he was unsuccessful. He continued his descent to approximately 500 feet above the ground using the vasi (visual approach slope indicator) lights. The pilot stated that he had the airport in sight and' felt well enough in sight to complete landing.' The airplane touched down in approximately 18 inches of snow 60 feet off the right side of the runway. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction. He said as he got closer to the ground he realized it was snow-mobile tracks and not the runway. He tried to go-around but the airplane impacted the ground collapsing the nose gear.

For unknown reasons, the aircraft landed hard at Cancún Airport, causing the right main gear to collapsed upon touchdown. The aircraft came to rest on the runway and was damaged beyond repair. All 43 occupants escaped uninjured.

Upon landing at Aurillac Airport, the twin engine aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. All nine occupants escaped uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

The aircraft, owned and operated by the Ministère des Transports et du Ravitaillement (Ministry of Transport and Supply) was engaged in a local training flight at Antananarivo-Ivato Airport, carrying three pilots. On approach, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances, killing all three occupants.

During a missed approach the airplane lost power to both engines. The pilot selected the only area available to land. The terrain was marked by trees, fences, and rising terrain. Prior to the missed approach the airplane had landed at another airport in the same town. The purpose of the flight was to ferry the airplane to a facility to repair a fuel leak in the wing.

While descending to Mazari Sharif, the crew was informed by ATC that a landing was impossible due to foggy conditions reducing visibility below minimums. The crew was instructed to divert to Termez Airport, south of Uzbekistan. On approach, all four engines failed due to fuel exhaustion and the crew attempted an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in a field located few km from the airport and came to rest. All 119 occupants were rescued, among them five were injured. The aircraft was written off.