code
Saint-Barthélemy

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 in Saint-Barthélémy: 20 killed

Date & Time: Mar 24, 2001 at 1628 LT
Operator:
Registration:
F-OGES
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Sint Maarten - Saint-Barthélemy
MSN:
254
YOM:
1969
Flight number:
TX1501
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
17
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
20
Captain / Total flying hours:
9864
Captain / Total hours on type:
5000.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
670
Copilot / Total hours on type:
15
Aircraft flight hours:
35680
Aircraft flight cycles:
89331
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Saint Maarten Airport on a flight to Saint-Barthélemy Airport under callsign TX1501, carrying 17 passengers and two pilots. The captain was pilot flying and the cruise level was 1,500 feet. The crew left the Sint Maarten Juliana aerodrome frequency when abeam of the island of Fourchue, the entry point of the aerodrome circuit located three nautical miles northwest of the island of Saint-Barthélemy. A few seconds later, they announced, on the Saint-Barthélemy Information frequency, that they were passing the 'Fourchue' reporting point. Shortly afterwards, they announced passing the 'Pain de Sucre' reporting point for a final approach to runway 10. That was their last communication. When the aircraft began its short final before the La Tourmente pass, several people, including the AFIS agent, saw it turn left which a steep bank angle then dive towards the ground. It crashed near a house and caught fire. All of the occupants perished, along with one person who was in the house.
Probable cause:
The accident appears to result from the Captain's use of the propellers in the reverse beta range, to improve control of his track on short final. A strong thrust asymmetry at the moment when coming out of the reverse beta range would have caused the loss of yaw control, then roll control of the aircraft. The investigation could not exclude three other hypotheses which can nevertheless be classified as quite unlikely:
- A loss of control during a go-around,
- A loss of control due to a stall,
- A loss of control due to sudden incapacitation of one of the pilots,
The Captain's lack of recent experience on this airplane type, the undeniable difficulty of conducting an approach to runway 10 at Saint-Barthélemy and the pressure of time during this flight were contributory factors. The low height at which the loss of control occurred was an aggravating factor.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 99A Airliner in Saint-Barthélemy

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1999 at 1055 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N491BB
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Christiansted - Saint-Barthélemy
MSN:
U-97
YOM:
1969
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On December 31, 1999, at about 1055 Atlantic standard time, a Beech 99A, N491BB, registered to Alberta Aircraft Leasing Inc., operated by Bohlke International Airways, as a 14 CFR Part 135 on-demand air taxi, experienced a collapse of the main landing gear on landing at St. Barthelemy, (TFFJ) French Antilles. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airline transport-rated pilot, copilot, and seven passengers reported no injuries. The flight originated from St. Croix, (STX) Virgin Islands, about 55 minutes before the accident. The accident was initially reported to the NTSB on January 5, 2000, by the FBI. The pilot stated they departed STX at about 1000. They had to make a 360-degree turn upon arrival at TFFJ due to other arriving traffic. They completed the descent arrival checklist and turned an 8- mile final. At a 1 1/2-mile final the flaps were lowered to the full down position, the propellers were set at 2,000 rpm, airspeed 95 knots, and all three landing gear lights were illuminated. On touchdown the airplane yawed to the left. Right rudder and aileron was applied with negative results. Power was increased and the airplane continued to yaw to the left. The airplane went off the left side of the runway and ground looped, separating the right main landing gear. The airplane came to a complete stop on its fuselage with the nose gear extended. They returned to the airplane on January 3, 2000. The airplane was lifted with a forklift and the left main landing gear was observed in the retracted position. A commuter pilot informed them that he observed the landing on the day of the accident. He stated he observed the left main landing gear moving forward and backwards.

Crash of a Cessna 402B in Saint-Barthélemy

Date & Time: Aug 5, 1996 at 1335 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N403N
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Saint-Barthélemy – Charlotte Amalie
MSN:
402B-0900
YOM:
1975
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On August 5, 1996, about 1335 Atlantic standard time, a Cessna 402B, N403N, registered to Virgin Air, Inc. dba Air St. Thomas, as flight 105, 14 CFR Part 135 scheduled international passenger service, from St. Barthelemy Island to St. Thomas, overran the runway during an aborted takeoff at St. Barthelemy Island. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and an instrument flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the airline transport-rated pilot and 6 passengers were not injured. One passenger received minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated the elevator control jammed during the takeoff roll. He aborted the takeoff, but could not stop prior to over running the runway. The aircraft came to rest in about 3 feet of water.

Crash of a Cessna 402B in Saint-Barthélemy: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 27, 1987
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N8209Q
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
402B-0389
YOM:
1973
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
On final approach, the pilot encountered strong crosswinds when he lost control of the airplane that crashed on rocks located near a beach. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560F in Saint-Barthélemy

Date & Time: Mar 28, 1978
Operator:
Registration:
YV-110P
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
560-1246-54
YOM:
1963
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After touchdown on runway 10, the twin engine airplane was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran and came to rest in water. There were no casualties.