Cessna 404 Titan

Sarah Express Airways

Aero Hire

The twin engine aircraft departed Cairns on a charter flight to Lockhart River, carrying workers for the government. While descending to Lockhart River, the pilot encountered marginal weather conditions with rain falls and strong winds. A first approach to Lockhart River was abandoned and the pilot was forced to initiate a go-around. Few minutes later, while in a second attempt to land, the aircraft crashed on the Claudie Beach located about 4 km southeast of Lockhart River. All five occupants were killed.

Go Comores

Shortly after takeoff from Moroni-Prince Saïd Ibrahim-Hahaya Airport, while climbing, the pilot encountered an unexpected situation and apparently attempted an emergency landing when the twin engine airplane struck the ground past the runway end and came to rest inverted. All 11 occupants were evacuated, a passenger and the pilot were injured. The aircraft was partially destroyed by a post crash fire.

Private Venezuelan

After landing at Roseau-Canefield, the pilot encountered difficulties to stop the aircraft that overran. It collided with a fence and came to rest against various obstacles. All seven occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Key Lime Air

The pilot was conducting an early morning repositioning flight of the cargo airplane. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot reported to air traffic control that he had “lost an engine” and would return to the airport. Several witnesses reported that the engines were running rough and one witness reported that he did not hear any engine sounds just before the impact. The airplane impacted trees, a wooden enclosure, a chain-linked fence, and shrubs in a residential area and was damaged by the impact and postimpact fire. The airplane had been parked outside for 5 days before the accident flight and had been plugged in to engine heaters the night before the flight. It was dark and snowing lightly at the time of the accident. The operator reported that no deicing services were provided before the flight and that the pilot mechanically removed all of the snow and ice accumulation. The wreckage and witness statements were consistent with the airplane being in a right-winglow descent but the airplane did not appear to be out of control. Neither of the propellers were at or near the feathered position. The emergency procedures published by the manufacturer for a loss of engine power stated that pilots should first secure the engine and feather the propeller following a loss of engine power and then turn the fuel selector for that engine to “off.” The procedures also cautioned that continued flight might not be possible if the propeller was not feathered. The right fuel selector valve and panel were found in the off position. Investigators were not able to determine why an experienced pilot did not follow the emergency procedures and immediately secure the engine following the loss of engine power. It is not known how much snow and ice had accumulated on the airplane leading up to the accident flight or if the pilot was successful in removing all of the snow and ice with only mechanical means. The on-scene examination of the wreckage and the teardown of both engines did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures. While possible, it could not be determined if water or ice ingestion lead to the loss of engine power at takeoff.

African Medical Research Foundation

Shortly after takeoff from a remote airstrip in Merugwayi, while flying in bad weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft crashed in a wilderness located in Kapingiro, near Merugwayi. All seven occupants were injured, the copilot aged 23 seriously. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Among passengers were several doctors who provided medical services to locals leaving in the remote district.

Kenya Police Air Wing

The crew was completing a local training at Nairobi-Wilson Airport. Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the twin engine aircraft stalled and crashed, bursting into flames. One pilot was killed while the second one was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

Gum Air

Few minutes after takeoff from Paramaribo-Zorg en Hoop Airport, the pilot encountered engine problems and elected to make an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed and came to rest in bushes located in Gusterie. There were no injuries but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Showa Aviation

The twin engine aircraft departed Nagoya Airport at 0846LT on an aerial photography mission over the Mt Ena and Gifu district. Several circuits were completed over the area of Mt Ena at various altitudes and in good weather conditions. Approaching Mt Ena at an altitude of about 2,000 metres, weather conditions worsened as the mountain was shrouded in clouds. While flying under VFR mode, the aircraft entered clouds, collided with a tree and crashed in a wooded area. The copilot (a mechanic) was seriously injured while both other occupants were killed. The aircraft was destroyed.

Airlink Papua New Guinea

Following an uneventful flight, the pilot started the approach to Goroka Airport in poor weather conditions. After landing on runway 17R, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran and came to rest few dozen metres further. All four occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Fugro Airborne Surveys

Shortly after takeoff from Nampula Airport, while in initial climb, the aircraft went out of control and crashed, killing both occupants. They were engaged in a geological mission on behalf of the Mozambican government in the north part of the country.

Fugro Spatial Solutions

The aircraft took off from runway 24 right (24R) at Jandakot Airport, WA. One pilot and five passengers were on board the aircraft. The flight was being conducted in the aerial work category, under the instrument flight rules. Shortly after the aircraft became airborne, while still over the runway, the pilot recognized symptoms that he associated with a failure of the right engine and elected to continue the takeoff. The pilot retracted the landing gear, selected the wing flaps to the up position and feathered the propeller of the right engine. The pilot later reported that he was concerned about clearing a residential area and obstructions along the flight path ahead, including high-voltage powerlines crossing the aircraft’s flight path 2,400 m beyond the runway. The aircraft was approximately 450 m beyond the upwind threshold of runway 24R when the pilot initiated a series of left turns. Analysis of radar records indicated that during the turns, the airspeed of the aircraft reduced significantly below the airspeed required for optimum single-engine performance. The pilot transmitted to the aerodrome controller that he was returning for a landing and indicated an intention to land on runway 30. However, the airspeed decayed during the subsequent manoeuvring such that he was unable to safely complete the approach to that runway. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude and the aircraft descended into an area of scrub-type terrain, moderately populated with trees. During the impact sequence at about 1537, the outboard portion of the left wing collided with a tree trunk and was sheared off. A significant quantity of fuel was spilled from the wing’s fuel tank and ignited. An intense postimpact fire broke out in the vicinity of the wreckage and destroyed the aircraft. Four passengers and the pilot vacated the aircraft, but sustained serious burns in the process. One of those passengers died from those injuries 85 days after the accident. A fifth passenger did not survive the post-impact fire.

City Wings

The flight was being handled as a VFR aircraft by air traffic control, was given a discreet transponder code, and was radar contact at an altitude of 4,500 feet. The pilot requested a VFR descent from 4,500 feet, and was cleared to "…descend unrestricted west bound." Radar and radio contact were lost at an altitude of 2,700 feet. The controller tried to re-establish radio contact with the airplane's pilot 10 times before initiating search and rescue efforts. A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter found the wreckage, using the aircraft's emergency locator transmitter. The next day a ground search for the aircraft was halted because of hazardous terrain. Search and rescue personnel had to be airlifted into the crash site to remove the victim. A police helicopter was vectored to the crash site by ATC about an 1 1/2 hours after contact was lost with the flight, and the pilot reported that he could not fly near the crash site because of fog. He reported the ceiling about 2,400 feet. The aircraft impacted in heavily wooded, mountainous terrain at the 2,700-foot level of a 3,524-foot mountain. Toxicology test showed that venlafaxine and desmethylvenlafaxine drugs were found in the pilot's blood, and the levels found were consistent with the recent ingestion of more than 10 times a normal dose of venlafaxine.

Superior Aviation

The pilot was departing from Lansing, Michigan, when he reported engine problems. The aircraft subsequently lost power to both engines. Fuel receipts were found that indicate that the aircraft was serviced with 25 gallons of jet fuel in each wing tank. No preexisting anomalies were found with regard to the aircraft or its systems. An FAA inspector interviewed the person that had fueled the aircraft and that person stated he had used a JET-A fuel truck to fuel the accident aircraft. The inspector also interviewed the safety director of the company that provided the fueling service. The safety director told the inspector that the fuel truck used to fuel the accident aircraft was found to have a small nozzle installed on one of the hoses and not the wide nozzle used on jet fueling trucks. He also said that, '...the small nozzle was used for the purpose of fueling tugs at the airport and that the small nozzles were immediately removed from all jet refueling trucks so that this could not happen again.'

Procuraduría General de la República

The twin engine aircraft departed Guadalajara-Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla Airport on a flight to Uruapan, carrying three engineers and two pilots. Shortly after takeoff from runway 28, while in initial climb, the aircraft lost height and crashed. All five occupants were killed.

Edinburgh Air Charter

The aircraft had been chartered to transport an airline crew of nine persons from Glasgow to Aberdeen. The aircraft was crewed by two pilots and, so far as could be determined, its take-off weight was between 8,320 and 8,600 lb. The maximum permitted take-off weight was 8,400 lb. ATC clearance for an IFR departure was obtained before the aircraft taxied from the business aviation apron for take-off from runway 23, with a take-off run available of 2,658 metres. According to survivors, the take-off proceeded normally until shortly after the aircraft became airborne when they heard a thud or bang. The aircraft was then seen by external witnesses at low height, to the left of the extended runway centerline, in a wings level attitude that later developed into a right bank and a gentle descent. Witnesses reported hearing an engine spluttering and saw at least one propeller rotating slowly. There was a brief 'emergency' radio transmission from the commander and the aircraft was seen entering a steep right turn. It then entered a dive. A witness saw the wings levelled just before the aircraft struck the ground on a northerly track. Three survivors were helped from the wreckage by a nearby farm worker before flames from a severe post-impact fire engulfed the cabin.

Northern Air

Two Cessna 404 Titan II operated by Northern Air departed Seronera Lodge in the mid morning on a charter flight to Kilimanjaro Airport, carrying a total of 18 US tourists and two pilots (7 passengers and one pilot in the first aircraft and 11 passengers and one pilot in the second aircraft). The passengers should be later transferred from Kilimanjaro to Nairobi with an Air Kenya aircraft. After takeoff, the pilot in the first Cessna warned the second pilot about the lack of visibility in the area. While cruising in marginal weather conditions at an altitude of 8,770 feet, the second aircraft struck the southern slope of Mt Meru (4,565 metres high). The wreckage was found the following day at an altitude of 2,833 metres. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and all 12 occupants were killed.

World Geoscience Corporation

En route from Greece to Gaborone, Botswana, the pilot encountered technical problems when the right engine failed. He completed a belly landing in an open field. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Aerodat

The twin engine aircraft departed Pucallpa on a geophysical survey mission on behalf of a mining company. The fuel reserve gave an autonomy of 10 hours. About two hours and a half into the flight, ATC recorded a brief ELT signal and SAR operations were initiated. The burnt wreckage was found few hours later by the crew of a helicopter on the slope of a mountain. All three occupants were killed.

Superior Aviation

The pilot said that during the landing approach, the flight visibility was inadequate for landing, and he aborted the landing. Witnesses observed the airplane touchdown long and fast, then it entered fog that shrouded the runway. Subsequently, the airplane collided with trees, then impacted on marshland about 70 feet below the runway elevation. No mechanical anomalies were found with the airplane or engines that would prevent flight. On the day before the accident, the pilot's duty day began at 0500. He had a 9-hour rest period (during the day) that did not involve any sleep. The pilot said that after work on the day before the accident, he arrived home about 2300. His wife said he awoke about 0230 on the accident date, then he returned to bed and arose between 0430 and 0500, departing for work about 0530. During his regular duty day rest period, the pilot would drive a total of 4 hours to and from his home each day. The pilot said he would generally get to bed about 2300 to 2330, arising about 0430 each work day. Also, he said he needed between 6 and 8 hours of sleep at night.

Aerodat

Crashed in unknown circumstances while on a flight from Pucallpa to Cuzco. No trace of the aircraft nor the four occupants was ever found. The passengers were Canadian citizens engaged for oil exploration.

Terra Surveys

While flying at a height of about 380 feet, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed in unknown circumstances in the region of Omarumba. Both occupants were killed.

Aeronáutica Civil de Colombia

Shortly after takeoff from Bogotá-El Dorado Airport, while climbing, the crew informed ATC about the failure of the left engine and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. While turning to the left, the aircraft stalled and crashed on a building housing a car dealership. All seven occupants on board the Cessna as well as six people on the ground were killed, among them the Director and the Deputy Director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Colombia. Seven other people on the ground were injured.

SASCO Air Lines

The twin engine aircraft departed Hassai Airstrip on a charter flight to Port Sudan, carrying nine employees of the Ariab Mining Company and two pilots. Shortly after takeoff, the right engine lost power and failed. The crew elected to return for an emergency but eventually attempted an emergency landing. The aircraft belly landed and slid for few dozen metres when the right wing struck a rock and was torn off, causing the fuel to spill and to ignite. The aircraft caught fire and came to rest, bursting into flames. All 11 occupants were killed.

Tucson Air

During a 2 hour and 40 minute training mission, the pilot maintained a low power setting with the fuel mix at full rich. After the mission, the pilot climbed the airplane to 9,000 feet agl to clear obstacles between his location and his destination. During the descent, the pilot said he reduced power more rapidly than usual and descended faster than normal at about 180 kias. About 800 to 1,000 feet agl, in the traffic pattern, the pilot applied power. Both engines lost total power. He set up an 85 kias glide; competed emergency procedures; and retracted the landing gear. The engines did not restart. He did not feather the propellers. He extended the landing gear prior to touchdown. The pilot said he did not flare the airplane during landing which resulted in the airplane colliding with the ground. The engine manual and the poh recommend adjusting the fuel mixture for cruise. An engine manual note states long descents at low power should be avoided because the engines may cool excessively and may not accelerate satisfactorily when power is reapplied. The poh recommends feathering propellers and gliding at 120 kias for dual engine failure. Soot was noted on all spark plugs during engine exam. Both engines started and ran normally from idle to full acceleration during the exam.

Rally Parts

En route from Nairobi to the Masai Mara National Reserve, the pilot declared an emergency and informed ATC he collided with a bird. Shortly later, the twin engine aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a prairie. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all seven occupants were killed, among them six German tourists. A tip tank and an aileron struck by the bird (a Marabu stork) were found more than one km from the main wreckage.

AOC Survey

Following a survey mission of 4 hours and 10 minutes, the twin engine aircraft returned to Pretoria-Wonderboom Airport where it was refueled. Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the left engine failed. The pilot elected to return when the aircraft lost height, struck a tree and crashed, bursting into flames. Two occupants were killed and two others were injured.

Nile Safaris Aviation

While descending to Aweil Airport, the twin engine aircraft went shot down by a surface-to-air missile and crashed in an open field located about 25 km from Aweil. All eight occupants were killed.

Scottish Department of Agriculture and Fisheries

The twin engine aircraft departed Edinburgh at 0832LT on a flight to Stornoway. At 0859LT, the crew was cleared to reach the operational zone and three minutes later, reached the altitude of 3,500 feet under VFR mode. While cruising at the altitude of 200 feet and at a speed of 130 knots, the right engine lost power. The crew cancelled the sortie and decided to divert to Port Ellen Airport. After the right propeller had been feathered, the aircraft lost speed and the crew was unable to maintain a safe altitude so he decided to ditch the aircraft 5 nm east of Colonsay Island. All three occupants took refuge on the left wing but the aircraft sank after few minutes and the wreckage was not recovered. All three occupants were rescued 40 minutes later and suffered hypothermia as the water temperature was 11° C.

Luis F. Benítez

Crashed on a mountain located near Alto de la Cabra, about 30 km southwest of Bogotá. All five occupants were killed.

Geodatos

While level after descending, the right engine quit. Pilot feathered the propeller, advised ATC, and was diverting to alternate when left engine quit. He positioned the left engine boost pump to high and low with negative results, but did not feather the propeller. Position of boost pumps, when engines quit, was not determined. Aircraft landed on overpass that was under construction. There was fuel leakage after accident due to aircraft damage. Fuel quantity was sufficient. Examination of aircraft revealed right engine flexible duct from turbocharger to plenum chamber separated due to loose clamp. Hose was installed and club prop installed for each engine run. Both engines operated normally. Induction air hose was pulled during right engine run. Engine ran rough due to excessive rich mixture. No determination could be made for the reason of the left engine power loss.

Bali International Air Service

On final approach to Banjarmasin-Syamsudin Noor Airport, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the aircraft struck the roof of a house and crashed in a residential area located few hundred meters short of runway. The aircraft and several houses were destroyed. Three passengers were killed while four other occupants as well as 15 people on the ground were injured.

Nile Safaris Aviation

Shortly after takeoff from Nyala Airport, the twin engine airplane encountered difficulties to gain height, struck the roof a school and crashed. All six occupants were killed while there were no injuries on the ground.

Formosa Airlines

Shortly after takeoff from Kaohsiung Airport, while in initial climb, the crew encountered engine troubles. The airplane stalled and crashed in a residential area near the airport, bursting into flames. A passenger was injured while 12 other occupants were killed as well as one people on the ground.

Aero Service Corporation - USA

After takeoff from Santa Cruz-El Trompillo Airport, while climbing, the pilot informed ATC about an engine failure and was cleared to return when control was lost. The aircraft crashed on a golf course located near the airport and was destroyed. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Private Colombian

Struck the slope of a mountain located near San Cristóbal, about 20 km southeast of Bogotá-El Dorado Airport. Both occupants were killed. The aircraft was completing an illegal flight, carrying a load of cocaine.

Air Today

The pilot was on a flight from Greeley to Denver, Colorado to obtain minor maintenance on a cargo door. As the aircraft was being vectored on final approach, the pilot reported that he believed the aircraft had fuel starvation. Subsequently, the aircraft was observed to make a complete roll and crash in a residential area. Only about 1.5 gallon of fuel was found in the right wing tank. The left wing and fuel tank were destroyed, but no odor of fuel was noted on the ground around the left wing. Also, a lack of fuel was noted in the fuel lines. The aircraft had not been refueled after the previous flight. The pilot that had flown the aircraft on a previous flight estimated there was 100 lbs of fuel remaining in each tank after his flight.

Cooper Skybird Aircharters

The twin engine aircraft departed Goma Airport on a charter flight to Nairobi, carrying 12 US tourists and two pilots returning from a safari photo trip. While flying over the Gishwati Forest, the aircraft stuck the slope of a mountain and disintegrated on impact. All 14 occupants were killed.

Cologne Commercial Flight

While cruising in poor visibility due to heavy fog, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the twin engine aircraft struck an observation tower located on the Grosser Feldberg (881 meters high) located in the Taunus Mountain Range, about 22 km north of Frankfurt-Main Airport. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.

SASCO Air Lines

After takeoff from Malakal Airport, while climbing, the twin engine aircraft was shot down by a surface-to-air missile and crashed few km from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all 14 occupants were killed, most of them European toutists.

Private Colombian

The twin engine aircraft departed Tuluá-Heriberto Gil Martinez Airport on 16 November at 2130LT on an illegal flight to Oaxaca, Mexico, carrying four people and a load consisting of bags of cocaine for a total weight estimated between 250 and 500 kilos. A fuel stop was completed somewhere en route and arriving in Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica, the crew was supposed to jettison the bags when the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in the sea. The wreckage was found the next morning about 50 meters offshore. All four occupants were later captured.

Private Colombian

While approaching Bogotá-El Dorado in limited visibility, the twin engine aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located near El Rosal, about 20 km northwest of the airport. The wreckage was found at an altitude of 3,200 meters and all three occupants were killed.

Wasawings

Following an uneventful cargo flight from Seinäjoki, the pilot initiated the approach by night and foggy conditions. On final, the twin engine aircraft struck power cables and crashed in a wooded area, bursting into flames. The pilot was seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.

Linea Aérea Aeropetrel - Aeropetrel

The twin engine airplane departed Punta Arenas on a charter flight to Teniente Rodolfo Marsh Airport, carrying two crew members and eight American tourists. On approach, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and decided to divert to Marambio where the visibility was also limited. As the crew was unable to land in Marambio, the captain decided to return to Teniente Rodolfo Marsh. While completing a visual approach in IMC conditions, the crew failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the aircraft struck a hill and crashed few km from the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and all 10 occupants were killed. Crew: Iván Martínez Díaz, pilot, Armando Soto San Martín, copilot.

Donington Aviation

After a standard engine start the aircraft was taxied to runway 33 and, at 1743 hours, was cleared for takeoff and departure for Norwich. The pilot has stated that the initial takeoff acceleration appeared to be normal and that all engine power instruments were indicating in the green area. At an indicated airspeed of 100 knots he raised the nose and the aircraft lifted off the runway, however there was no further increase in airspeed. He retracted the landing gear and lowered the nose to attempt to gain more airspeed. At this time the airspeed had reduced to 90 knots and the pilot felt some vibration from the elevators. Realising that the aircraft would neither climb nor accelerate, the pilot selected what he hoped was a clear area in which to carry out a 'landing gear up' crash landing. All 12 occupants were injured, three of them seriously.

Opex Aviation

Fisherman heard an aircraft overhead but did not see any sign of it in the night sky. Shortly thereafter they saw a flash and fire on the side of a mountain, then they heard the explosion. The sheriff was called and an investigation revealed a crashed aircraft. There were no signs of occupants in or near the aircraft. The next morning the body of a heavily armed man who had on a parachute and a deployed reserve parachute was found several miles away in a residential area. A key to the crashed aircraft was found on the body.

Wolverine Air Charter

The aircraft took off and climbed to 5,000 feet uneventfully. It then dropped off radar and subsequently impacted the ground in a flat upright attitude. A post-crash fire consumed the majority of the airframe. Engine and prop teardowns indicated no abnormalities and power at the time of impact. A fire in the cargo compartment was ruled out by ATF investigators. Main electrical switches were found off in the wreckage. An oxygen bottle in the nose caught fire separately from the rest of the aircraft but it could not be determined if the oxygen fire took place in the air or after impact. The door warning, left and right alt out, left and right hyd flow and left and right low fuel annunciator bulbs exhibited stretched filaments when examined following the crash. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Comercializadora del Pacifico

The crew departed Buenaventura on an illegal flight. In the region of Guayaquil, the aircraft was shot down and crashed. Both occupants were killed.

Southern Cross Aviation

After takeoff from Lanseria Airport, while climbing, the pilot reported engine problems and elected to return. Shortly later, the aircraft went out of control and crashed few km from the airfield. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Private Colombian

Crashed while taking off from Bogotá-El Dorado Airport by night. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were injured. According to authorities, the flight was illegal (contraband).