Country
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South Aegean / Νότιο Αιγαίο

Crash of a BAe 4100 Jetstream 41 in Rhodes

Date & Time: Feb 2, 2015 at 0736 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
SX-DIA
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Heraklion – Rhodes
MSN:
41075
YOM:
1995
Flight number:
SEH100
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
16
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
11117
Captain / Total hours on type:
3574.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
3834
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1334
Aircraft flight hours:
28327
Circumstances:
The Jetstream 41 aircraft, with registration number SX-DIA, operated by “SKY EXPRESS”, took off on 2nd February 2015 at 07:00 hrs. local time from the Airport of Heraklion ‘N. Kazantzakis’, performing the scheduled flight No. ‘SEH100’, the first in the day, destined for the Airport of Rhodes ‘Diagoras’. Pre-flight checks were completed with no findings and in this flight the Captain was designated as the Pilot Flying. A 3-member crew and 16 passengers were onboard. The flight crew reported for duty one hour prior to the time of flight and proceeded with all actions as laid down in the Company manual. The flight crew was also briefed that in the area of the Airport of Rhodes the winds were S-SE at 17 kt with Wind Gust 36 kt. At 07:23:54 hrs., approximately 12 min prior to landing, in the first contact of the flight crew with the Control Tower of the Airport of Rhodes, the flight crew was briefed by the Air Traffic Controller (ATC) with respect to the weather conditions at the area of the airport, variable winds prevailing with a direction from 20° to 160°, average wind direction from 110°, wind velocity 20 kt gusting 38 kt. As laid down in the airport procedures, ATC, given the weather conditions, alerted the fire service vehicles to be stationed in readiness at their designated positions on the taxiways. At 07:24:43 hrs. Rhodes ATC contacted the flight crew wishing to remind that as a result of the strong wind shear and turbulence, landing at the airport is not recommended under the circumstances. At 07:29:34 hrs. Rhodes ATC contacted again the flight crew informing that the wind is shifting from 40° to 260°, average wind direction from 120°, mean wind velocity 20 kt and wind gust 32 kt. At 07:32:36 hrs., at about 8nm to the airport, the ATC contacting again the flight crew informed that wind in the last ten minutes is shifting in all directions, with mean wind velocity 16 kt and wind gust 37 kt; ATC also reminded that under these conditions landing is not recommended. At 07:34:04 hrs., at about 4 nm to the airport, Rhodes ATC contacted again the flight crew informing that wind is shifting from 60° to 200°, mean wind velocity 15 kt, wind gust 32 kt and that runway 07 is free for landing. At 07:35:08 hrs. ATC again reports wind direction from 110°, 17kt. Communication between ATC and the flight crew was smooth without any problem, with the flight crew each time acknowledging the information provided by ATC. Given the prevailing winds, landing with 9° flaps and an airspeed of about 129 kt was selected. With the flight crew having performed all pre-landing checks prescribed in the manual and with the indicator lights for the ‘Down and Lock’ landing system being illuminated green, at about 07:36 hrs. the aircraft landed, with the right main landing gear touching down first. During deceleration immediately after touchdown, with the flight crew having performed all checks specified in the a/c manual and after ATC directed the aircraft to vacate the runway via taxiway ‘C’, the aircraft veered to the left and came to rest at the left edge of the runway without exiting the runway, with an eastward direction. With the fire service vehicle approaching the aircraft, the flight crew contacted the Control Tower of the airport stating that everything is ok, and then reporting inability to taxi when asked whether the aircraft is able to taxi; when asked whether a tire was burst, the flight crew confirmed that this is the case. At 07:37:49 hrs. the Fire Service advises the Control Tower of the airport that the fire truck sprays foam due to fuel leakage. At 07:41:08 hrs. the Control Tower, when so asked by the ‘follow me’ vehicle, inquired of the flight crew whether passengers could be disembarked and the answer was that getting off from the passenger door (forward left) would not be feasible given the presence of the fire-fighting foam on the runway, and that the rear right door (Emergency Exit) would be used instead. As reported by the Air Traffic Controller passengers were disembarked 15 minutes after the incident, and the process lasted approximately 10 minutes. Upon a first visual inspection at the accident site and before the left wing of the aircraft was raised on jacks, it appeared that the left main landing gear folded back resulting in the aircraft’s left side dragging the runway (the left main landing gear and its housing into contact with the runway) and stopping at the left edge of the runway facing to the east.
Probable cause:
- The decision to perform a landing following a non-stabilized approach.
- Landing with a strong and variable wind, the speed and the crosswind component of which were in excess of the values specified by the standard operating procedures, the aircraft manufacturer and the recommendations for the said aerodrome in AIP GREECE.
- The failure to adhere to CRM principles.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421C Golden Eagle III off Rhodes

Date & Time: May 3, 2003 at 1235 LT
Operator:
Registration:
D-IWWW
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
421C-0042
YOM:
1976
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft suffered a double engine failure and the pilot attempted to ditch the aircraft off Rhodes. All occupants were rescued while the aircraft sank and was lost.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Swearingen SA227AC Metro III off Rhodes

Date & Time: Jul 28, 1999
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
SX-BGG
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Athens - Rhodes
MSN:
AC-656
YOM:
1986
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Rhodes-Diagoras Airport, while on a cargo flight from Athens, both engines failed simultaneously. The aircraft stalled and crashed in the sea one km short of runway. Both pilots were rescued while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure for unknown reasons.

Crash of an Airbus A300C4-620 in Rhodes

Date & Time: Mar 24, 1999 at 1210 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
A6-PFD
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Dubai - Rhodes
MSN:
374
YOM:
1985
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
19
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
252
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Dubai, the crew completed the approach to Rhodes-Diagoras Airport in rain falls and strong winds. The aircraft landed at a speed of 166 knots, about 22 knots above Vref. After touchdown, the ground spoilers did not deploy automatically because they had not been armed. Consequently the auto brake system, which operates by the deployment of spoilers, did not activate. The crew attempted manual braking but this operation was too late and the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran, lost its undercarriage and came to rest few dozen metres further. All 271 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Dornier DO228-201 in Paros

Date & Time: May 2, 1997 at 1722 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
SX-BHG
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Athens - Paros
MSN:
8061
YOM:
1985
Flight number:
ML074
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
18
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Paros Island Airport, the twin engine aircraft nosed down, lost height and struck the ground 1,3 metre short of runway threshold. On impact, the nose gear collapsed and the aircraft slid for 166 metres before coming to rest on the runway. All 20 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Ground accident of a De Havilland DH.89A Dragon Rapide in Rhodos

Date & Time: Mar 5, 1951
Operator:
Registration:
G-AHIA
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
6948
YOM:
1946
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While taxiing for takeoff, the twin engine aircraft fell into an excavation and came to rest. All six occupants were rescued while the aircraft was written off.

Crash of a Junkers JU.52/3m off Leros Island: 12 killed

Date & Time: Nov 13, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
6799
YOM:
1940
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Circumstances:
The crew was taking part to the invasion of Leros Island. On approach, the three engine aircraft was shot down by enemy fire and crashed into the sea, killing all 12 crew members.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a Savoia-Marchetti SM.75 bis II off Rhodes: 17 killed

Date & Time: Aug 14, 1943 at 0412 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
I-BETA
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
001
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
13
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
17
Circumstances:
Shortly after a night take off from Rhodes-Maritsa Airport, while climbing, the three engine aircraft went out of control and crashed into the sea 300 meters offshore. All 17 occupants were killed. The aircraft, a special version SM.75 bis II with s/n 001, had a dual registration civil and military with MM60554 and operated on behalf of Nucleo Comunicazioni Avio Linee (NCA).