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December 2002
Nonadherence to Standard Procedures Cited in Airbus A320 CFIT in Bahrain 8 pages. [PDF 68K]
The report said that spatial disorientation likely was involved in the flight crew’s controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) during an attempted go-around. The ground-proximity warning system generated nine warnings before the aircraft struck the sea.
November 2002
Reduced Visibility, Mountainous Terrain Cited in Gulfstream III CFIT at Aspen 12 pages. [PDF 204K]
Darkness increased and weather conditions deteriorated as the pilots continued a nonprecision instrument approach below minimums without adequate visual references at the Aspen (Colorado, U.S.) airport. A delayed departure, a nighttime landing curfew and pressure from the charter customer to land were factors cited in the controlled-flight-into-terrain (CFIT) accident.
October 2002
Pilot Incapacitation by Hypoxia Cited in Fatal Five-hour Flight of Beech King Air 8 pages. [PDF 81K]
The report said that the pilot apparently was unable physically to respond to air traffic control radio transmissions after the aircraft ascended above the assigned altitude, 25,000 feet. The aircraft likely continued flying on autopilot, with no input from the pilot, for several hours before it struck terrain.
September 2002
Cessna 404’s Left Engine Fails on Takeoff, Captain Feathers Propeller on Right Engine 6 pages. [PDF 81K]
Fatigue cracks caused the teeth on the starter-motor gear to break, resulting in excessive damage to the left engine’s accessory gear train. The progressive failure of the left engine and the feathering of the propeller on the right engine resulted in total loss of thrust. The aircraft stalled when the crew attempted to turn back and land at the departure airport.
August 2002
Engine Flameouts in Sabreliner and MU-2 Linked to Nonuse of Continuous Ignition 8 pages. [PDF 66K]
The flameouts occurred when the Rockwell Sabreliner encountered turbulence while being flown to cruise altitude and after the Mitsubishi MU-2 was flown through icing conditions on approach. Both aircraft struck terrain, killing the pilots.
July 2002
Accident Report Provides Lessons Learned About Preventing Takeoff on a Closed Runway 12 pages. [PDF 101K]
Safety recommendations of the Aviation Safety Council of Taiwan, based on the Singapore Airlines Flight SQ006 accident, discuss the adequacy of some international standards for runway/taxiway signs, marking and lighting. The Boeing 747 struck concrete barriers, runway-construction pits and construction equipment during takeoff in heavy rain, strong winds and low visibility.
June 2002
Commuter Aircraft Strikes Terrain During Unstabilized, Homemade Approach 8 pages. [PDF 106K]
The crew of a Raytheon Beech 1900D used self-programmed global positioning system (GPS) waypoints for navigation during a night approach to a Canadian airport with weather conditions below minimums for the published nonprecision instrument approach.
May 2002
Controller’s Misperception of Aircraft Positions Sets Stage for Collision on Runway in Paris 8 pages. [PDF 113K]
The investigation generated recommendations about the practice of clearing more than one aircraft onto a runway, the terminology used in takeoff clearances, coordination among controllers and the use of different languages in controller-pilot communication.
April 2002
Foreign-object Damage Cripples Concorde on Takeoff From Paris 8 pages. [PDF164K]
The aircraft had accelerated beyond V1 when a tire burst and a fuel tank ruptured. Debris and a fuel-fed fire caused a reduction of thrust from the two left engines. The crew continued the takeoff but were unable to retract the landing gear. The aircraft was airborne about one minute before striking terrain.
March 2002
Continued Visual Flight in IMC Precedes Controlled Flight Into Terrain by Piper Chieftain 6 pages. [PDF 76K]
The airplane struck a cloud-covered lava field on the slope of a volcano after the pilot flew into instrument meteorological conditions. The pilot was not authorized to conduct air-tour operations under instrument flight rules and failed to obtain a preflight weather briefing, said the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board.
February 2002
MD-82 Overruns Runway While Landing in Proximity of Severe Thunderstorms 20 pages. [PDF 114K]
The investigation of the approach-and-landing accident generated several recommendations, including improvement of standard operating procedures regarding the use of airplane spoiler systems, autobrake systems and reverse thrust on wet/slippery runways.
January 2002
Cargo Airplane Strikes Frozen Sea During Approach in Whiteout Conditions 8 pages. [PDF 97K]
The pilots descended below minimums during an NDB approach to a remote Canadian airport. They were heads-up, seeking visual references, when the de Havilland Twin Otter struck the ice in a controlled, shallow descent.