Entebbe - Entebbe

On April 28, 1976 at 12:00 AM, Entebbe - Entebbe experienced a crash involving De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou, operated by Uganda Police Air Wing, with the event recorded near Entebbe Central.

The flight was categorized as training and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

2 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 2 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.

Crew on board: 2, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. The aircraft was operating circuits, from Entebbe Airport, for the purpose of a DHC-4 Type Rating (Night) Flight Examination. The cadet pilot was flying the aircraft from the left hand seat while the check captain occupied the right hand seat. There were no passengers. The first circuit involved a simulated hydraulic failure and was completed without incident. During the second circuit the starboard engine was intentionally feathered and the aircraft made a landing approach on one engine. Just prior to touchdown a sudden increase in engine power resulted in the aircraft yawing and rolling steeply towards the starboard side. The aircraft started skidding on its starboard wheel and wing tip. It skidded across the runway and over the adjoining grass strip, towards the aerodrome boundary. Somme 220 m further down, the aircraft crossed a drainage ditch and crashed through a barbed wire fence around the aerodrome perimeter. The fuselage broke in half during the crash and the wreckage came to a halt approximately 15 m beyond the aerodrome perimeter. The check captain suffered severe back injuries; the cadet pilot sustained no injuries. Investigations carried out after the accident revealed that the aircraft was operating satisfactorily prior to the accident. It is concluded that the probable cause of the accident was the application of considerable engine power when the aircraft was in an asymmetric landing configuration and at a speed probably below the single engine minimum control speed (Vmc). Lack of understanding between the two flight crew as to what each was doing immediately prior to the accident and the student/instructor relationship between the two crew members as well as the prevailing dark night conditions were contributory factors.

Aircraft reference details include registration 5X-AAB, MSN 222, year of manufacture 1964.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 0.2124°, 32.5386°.