Crash of a Lockheed C-130M Hercules at Teniente Rodolfo Marsh

Date & Time: Nov 27, 2014
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
2470
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Punta Arenas - Teniente Rodolfo Marsh
MSN:
4441
YOM:
1972
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a supply mission from Punta Arenas, carrying a load of various goods and several passengers and crew members. After touchdown at Teniente Rodolfo Marsh-Presidente Eduardo Frei Montalva Airport, the right main gear collapsed, causing the propeller of the engine n°4 to detach. The airplane came to rest on a snow covered runway and all occupants escaped uninjured. The airplane was later parked on the apron and repairs were initiated. Eventually, in early 2017, it was decided to scrap the airplane which was destroyed on site. All debris were placed in a container and later shipped back to Brazil.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right main gear upon landing for unknown reasons.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 on Mt Elizabeth: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 23, 2013 at 0827 LT
Operator:
Registration:
C-GKBC
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Amundsen-Scott Station - Terra Nova-Zucchelli Station
MSN:
650
YOM:
1979
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
22300
Captain / Total hours on type:
7770.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
790
Copilot / Total hours on type:
450
Aircraft flight hours:
28200
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed South Pole Station, Antarctica, at 0523 Coordinated Universal Time on 23 January 2013 for a visual flight rules repositioning flight to Terra Nova Bay, Antarctica, with a crew of 3 on board. The aircraft failed to make its last radio check-in scheduled at 0827, and the flight was considered overdue. An emergency locator transmitter signal was detected in the vicinity of Mount Elizabeth, Antarctica, and a search and rescue effort was initiated. Extreme weather conditions hampered the search and rescue operation, preventing the search and rescue team from accessing the site for 2 days. Once on site, it was determined that the aircraft had impacted terrain and crew members of C-GKBC had not survived. Adverse weather, high altitude and the condition of the aircraft prevented the recovery of the crew and comprehensive examination of the aircraft. There were no indications of fire on the limited portions of the aircraft that were visible. The accident occurred during daylight hours.
Probable cause:
The accident was caused by a controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
Findings:
The crew of C-GKBC made a turn prior to reaching the open region of the Ross Shelf. The aircraft might have entered an area covered by cloud that ultimately led to the aircraft contacting the rising terrain of Mount Elizabeth.
Other findings:
The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) was not serviceable at the time of the occurrence.
The company did not have a practice in place to verify the functionality of the CVR prior to flight.
The rate of climb recorded in the SkyTrac ISAT-100 tracking equipment prior to contacting terrain was consistent with the performance figures in the DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 300 Operating Data Manual 1-63-1, Revision 7.
Final Report:

Crash of a Dornier DO228-201 at Rothera Station

Date & Time: Jan 25, 2005 at 1433 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
D-CICE
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Halley - Rothera
MSN:
7073
YOM:
1985
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft christened 'Polar 4' was completing a flight from Halley to Rothera Station. Following a steep approach in marginal weather conditions with low clouds and snow falls, the aircraft landed hard and suffered substantial damages. There were no injuries but the aircraft was later transferred to Germany and declared damaged beyond repair in November 2005.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 at Rothera Station: 4 killed

Date & Time: Nov 24, 1994 at 0301 LT
Operator:
Registration:
C-GKBD
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Rothera - Terra Nova Bay
MSN:
314
YOM:
1971
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
3984
Captain / Total hours on type:
3414.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
3180
Copilot / Total hours on type:
448
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Rothera Station runway 18 on a charter flight to Terra Nova, carrying two passengers and two pilots. During initial climb, the airplane became unstable and rolled side to side. From a height of about 100 feet, it stalled and crashed on the slope of an iceberg facing the airport, bursting into flames. All four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty as rescuers and investigators were unable to reach the crash site that was unstable and too dangerous. The stall occurred at a too low altitude to expect recovery.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-118B Liftmaster at Patriot Hills Base Camp

Date & Time: Nov 26, 1993
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N1597F
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Punta Arenas - Patriot Hills
MSN:
43700
YOM:
1953
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The four engine aircraft was completing a cargo flight from Punta Arenas, carrying two passengers, six crew members and several sleigh dogs. On final approach, the captain decided to slightly deviate from the approach path to avoid local patches of fog and thus maintaining a visual contact with the ground. At an altitude of 450 feet, he increased engine power but the aircraft continued to descent until it struck the ground near the camp. All eight occupants and all animals were evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-3 Otter at Patriot Hills Base Camp

Date & Time: Nov 3, 1992
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N58JH
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
131
YOM:
1956
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane has to be ferried back to its base following repairs after it suffered an incident last February 1992. It crashed upon takeoff in unknown circumstances. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off.

Crash of a Casa-Nurtanio CN235M-100 in Teniente Rodolfo Marsh

Date & Time: Feb 25, 1992
Operator:
Registration:
E-217
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Punta Arenas – Teniente Rodolfo Marsh
MSN:
C-021
YOM:
1989
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Landing at Teniente Rodolfo Marsh-Presidente Eduardo Frei Montalva Airport was completed on an icy and snowy runway. After touchdown, control was lost. The aircraft veered off runway, went down an embankment and came to rest. All 11 occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-14M near Mirny Ice Station

Date & Time: Feb 19, 1990 at 0853 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-41803
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Mirny - Vostok
MSN:
1460 009 38
YOM:
1957
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
32985
Aircraft flight cycles:
13353
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a supply mission to an expedition in Antarctica between both stations of Mirny and Vostok when the right engine failed. The crew attempted to make an emergency landing when the aircraft crash landed on a glacier located 560 km from Mirny Ice Station. All four occupants were rescued while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine due to a loss of hydraulic pressure.

Ground fire of an Avia 14PT in Mirny: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 26, 1989 at 2025 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-52066
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
030 703108
YOM:
1957
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
While parked and refueled at the Mirny Ice Station, the aircraft caught fire. Fire brigade arrived on scene in 10 minutes but the aircraft was already destroyed. Three crew members who were preparing the flight scheduled for midnight were killed. At the time of the accident, the outside temperature was -9° C. with good visibility (over 20 km) and a wind of 50 km/h (14 meters per second).
Crew:
Mr. Ananiev,
Mr. Semin,
Mr. Rogovenko.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the fire could not be determined with certainty.

Crash of a Lockheed LC-130R Hercules at D-59 Ice Station: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 9, 1987
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
159131
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
4522
YOM:
1974
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Upon landing, the aircraft lost a wing and crashed upside down. Two occupants were killed while 11 others were rescued. The aircraft was completing a supply mission on behalf of the American National Scientific Foundation, carrying repair kit for another LC-130 registered 148321 that crashed in 1971.