Douglas DC-6

Universal Airlines

According to the captain, while on approach to land, he distracted the crew by pointing out a boat dock. He said that after touchdown, he realized that the landing gear was not extended, and the airplane slid on its belly, sustaining substantial damage to the underside of the fuselage. He said that the crew did not hear the landing gear retracted warning horn, and the accident could have been prevented if he had not distracted the crew. The captain reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Northern Air Cargo

The crew was conducting a GPS instrument approach in a Douglas DC-6B airplane under IFR conditions. Both pilots were certificated and type-rated in the Douglas DC-6B airplane. The first pilot, seated in the right seat, was one of the company's senior check airman, and possessed a right seat dependency endorsement. The second pilot, seated in the left seat, had less experience in the DC-6B airplane. It had been previously agreed that the second pilot would fly the leg of the flight on which the accident occurred. The first pilot reported that light snow showers were present, with visibility reported at 4 miles. During final approach as the airplane passed over the airstrip threshold, a higher than normal sink rate was encountered. He said that the initial touchdown was "firm," but was thought to be within acceptable tolerances. Just after touchdown, the left wing broke free from the airplane at the wing to fuselage attach point. The airplane veered to the left, continued off the left side of the 5,000 feet long by 75 feet runway, down an embankment, and came to rest in an area of wet, tundra covered terrain. A postcrash fire heavily damaging the center section of the fuselage. The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) revealed that as the airplane progressed along the approach, the first pilot says: "You're only one mile from it....Take it on down ah three." As the airplane passes over the runway threshold, the first pilot says: "Keep that, keep that (expletive) power off.... Just push forward on the nose." The sound of impact is heard 4 seconds later. The minimum descent altitude (MDA) for the approach is 400 feet msl (383 feet agl). A contract weather observer reported lower ceilings, with about 1 mile visibility, over the approach end of the runway at the same time as the accident.

Everts Air Cargo

The certificated airline transport captain related that the purpose of the flight was to deliver about 4,800 gallons of fuel oil to the remote mining site. He said that the 5,400 feet long by 100 feet wide airstrip was situated within hilly, snow-covered terrain. He added that the airstrip has a 7 percent uphill grade. Flat light conditions existed at the airstrip, and light snow showers were present, with visibility reported at 2 miles. The captain stated that during final approach, as the airplane passed over the airstrip threshold, flat light conditions made it very difficult to discern where the airstrip surface was. He said that the initial touchdown was "firm", but was thought to be within acceptable tolerances. Just after touchdown, the left wing broke free from the airplane at the wing to fuselage attach point. The airplane veered to the left, and off the left side of the runway. The captain said that the airplane's computed landing weight was 92,260 pounds.

LANC Colombia - Lineas Aéreas Norte de Colombia

The aircraft departed Villavicencio-La Vanguardia airport at 1206LT on a cargo flight to Mitú, carrying 12 passengers, three crew members and a load of various goods consisting of food and also 7 tons of fuel in 55 drums. After takeoff from runway 22, while climbing, the engine n°2 lost power. The captain decided to return for an emergency landing and was cleared to land on the same runway. On final approach, the airplane became unstable when the flight engineer shut down the engine n°2. The aircraft landed too far down the runway, about 1,700 feet past the runway threshold. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, it overran and came to rest against an embankment, bursting into flames. Four passengers were killed while 11 other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

Woods Air Service - Woods Air Fuel

During the takeoff roll, while passing 45 knots indicated airspeed, ice formed between the inner and outer panes of the airplane's windshield, obscuring the crew's vision. The flight crew aborted the takeoff, the airplane drifted off the left side of the snow covered runway, and caught fire. The crew reported the airplane and windshield were cold soaked and the temperature was -10 degrees Fahrenheit. The windshield anti-ice system blows air from a combustion heater between the windshield glass panes. The air source for the heater, once the airplane has forward airspeed, is two leading edge wing scoops. The crew told the NTSB investigator that the taxi time was too short for the windshield to warm up, and that during the taxi, snow was circulated around the airplane and into the wing scoops.

Transair Cargo

After landing, the four engine aircraft veered off runway and came to rest in the bush. There were no casualties.

Northern Air Cargo

The cargo flight was en route, when a fire erupted in or near the #3 engine. During subsequent emergency procedures, the flight crew pulled the fire handle first. Later, they feathered the #3 engine. The fire did not extinguish. During an attempt to land at a rural, intermediate airstrip, while the airplane was in the traffic pattern, witnesses saw fire coming from the area of the #3 engine. They stated the right wing buckled upward, and the airplane crashed. Examination of the wreckage revealed a failure of the master rod in the front bank of cylinders of the #3 engine. Metallurgical tests revealed a crack in the top of the master rod head, which had resulted from corrosion pits. The side of the master rod head was measured and found to be out of round. The master rod shank also fractured due to fatigue. The operator's training procedures and the Douglas Aircraft emergency checklist procedures, required that the engine's propeller be feathered first, and then the fire extinguishing system to be activated. According to information derived from the airplane's cockpit voice recorder, the flight crew reversed that order. The effectiveness of the fire suppression system is diminished if the propeller is not feathered first.

West Air Aviation

Suffered an accident while landing in an airfield somewhere in Namibia. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The mishap occurred somewhere in July 1994 (exact date unknown).

Inversiones Agropecuarias del Casanare - IAC

En route, the crew encountered technical problems and was cleared to divert to Mitú-Fabio Alberto León Bentley Airport for an emergency landing. After touchdown, the four engine aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. All nine occupants escaped with minor injuries and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The nature of the technical problems remains unknown.

Aerosol - Aerovias Sol de Colombia

Crashed upon landing at Villavicencio-La Vanguardia Airport following technical problems. There were no casualties. The accident occurred somewhere in February 1994, exact date unknown.

Frigorifico Reyes

Shortly after takeoff from La Paz-El Alto Airport, while in initial climb, the engine n°2 caught fire. The crew was unable to extinguish the fire and the captain shut down the engine and feathered its propeller. He maintained a low level then attempted an emergency landing in a wasteland located near Laja, about 18 km west of El Alto Airport. Following a 'normal' landing, the crew stopped the aircraft and evacuated the cabin. The fire spread to the left wing but was eventually contained.

Carga del Caribe

The four engine aircraft departed Cancún Airport at 0922LT on a post maintenance check flight. The crew consisting of three engineers and two pilots was supposed to make several engine tests and verification in flight. The aircraft departed Cancún and continued to the south to Cozumel where it was supposed to make an approach (no landing planned) before returning to Cancún. While approaching Cozumel Island, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with low clouds and rain falls. In limited visibility, the aircraft descended below the prescribed altitude of 2,000 feet until it crashed in the sea some 22 km north of Cozumel Airport. The copilot and a passenger were seriously injured while the captain was killed. Two other passengers were not recovered.

Compañia Aérea Nacional - CAN

During the takeoff roll, prior to V1 speed, the engine n°2 caught fire and exploded. The crew abandoned the takeoff maneuver and initiate an emergency braking procedure. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran and came to rest, bursting into flames. All four occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was destroyed by fire. The crew was flying to La Esperanza to pick up a load of meat.

Everts Air Cargo

The heavily loaded fuel tanker landed with an approximate 3 knot tailwind, overran the departure end of the runway, and came to a stop on a frozen river. The last two thirds of the 3,150 feet long gravel runway was covered with ice. The crew stated that the propellers either failed to go into reverse, or were slow in reversing, to assist in stopping. Examination revealed that all propeller blades were in the reversed position. Outside air temperature was minus 30 to minus 35° F. The airplane performance chart used to calculate the landing distance was for 'concrete runways'. Stopping distance was not predicated on the use of reverse propeller thrust. Post accident calculations, using the same chart, found the estimated landing distance needed for the accident flight to be 100 to 200 feet more than the length of the runway.

Private American

Crashed in unknown circumstances in a desert area while engaged in an illegal contraband flight. There were no casualties. Any correlation with N72522 (DC-6A/B) MSN 44697/598 that may crash in Tlahualilo de Zaragoza, Durango on Feb 17 1992 ?

Aerosucre Colombia

The descent to Barranquilla-Ernesto Cortissoz Airport was completed by night and poor visibility due to foggy conditions. On approach, as he was unable to locate the runway, the captain initiated a go-around procedure and followed a holding pattern. Few minutes later, the crew started a second approach and on short final, the aircraft struck the ground and crashed 1,500 meters short of runway. Two passengers were killed after the cargo shifted in the main cabin while all other occupants were injured.

Frigorifico Santa Rita

After landing, the four engine encountered problems and was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran and came to rest in a swamp. All three crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Aerial Transit Company

The aircraft was completing a cargo flight from San Salvador to Miami with an intermediate stop in Guatemala City, carrying a load of clothes and vegetables. After takeoff from Guatemala City-La Aurora Airport, while climbing, the crew declared an emergency after one of the engine failed. The pilot-in-command initiated a left turn when control was lost and the airplane crashed in a residential area located about 8 km southeast of the airport. The aircraft and several houses were destroyed. All three crew members as well as 24 people on the ground were killed and few others were seriously injured.

Gomes %26 Warra Aircraft Corporation

Crashed in unknown circumstances in the sea off George Town. The crew was rescued and the aircraft sank and was lost.

Albiacion Circulo General

While approaching Tegucigalpa-Toncontin Airport, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the aircraft collided with a mountain about 27 km from the Airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all 10 occupants were killed. They were completing a humanitarian mission on behalf of USAid.

TACA International Airlines - Transportes Aéreos Centro Americanos

After abt 4.3 hours on an overwater flight, the crew reported they had 15 minutes of fuel remaining. Subsequently, 3 of 4 engines lost power from fuel exhaustion. During an emergency landing, the aircraft hit a levee and was extensively damaged. Most of the wreckage came to rest in a drainage canal. Bodies of the crew were recovered from the water on 7/22/88. During an investigation, no fuel was found in the fuel tanks and no fuel spill was evident. Records showed the aircraft had departed El Salvador with 7 hours of fuel. No reason for the loss of 2.7 hours of fuel was verified; but about 1 month after the accident, an employee of the operator reported finding an open drain valve in the wreckage, inside the #4 engine nacelle. A metallurgical examination indicated the valve had been in an open position for an extended time. No ground personnel saw fuel draining from the aircraft during start, taxi or takeoff. The crew had no control of the valve in flight. There was evidence the #1, #2 and #3 engines were not providing power during impact. All crossfeed valve controls were found in crossfeed positions. Ethanol was found in the pilot's and copilot's blood, but there was evidence that it was the resulted of postmortem changes.

Aerolineas El Salvador - AESA

Stalled and crashed shortly after takeoff from San Salvador-Comalapa Airport. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were injured.

Aeronica - Aerolineas Nicaraguenses

The four engine aircraft departed Panama City-Tocumen Airport at 0549LT on a cargo flight to Managua, carrying a crew of six. At 0653LT, the last radio contact was recorded with the crew. While cruising in limited visibility, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Fábrega (3,335 meters high) located in the west part of Panama, near the border with Costa Rica. As the aircraft failed to arrive at destination, SAR operations were initiated but eventually abandoned few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the six occupants was found. The wreckage was found by walkers on 19 August 1989 at the altitude of 2,800 meters, more than 500 meters below the summit. Crew: William Gross Robles, Ricardo Tadeo Czarski, Marvin José Arana, Juan de Dios Morales, Juan Francisco Pavón, José Félix Chávez.

Aeronica - Aerolineas Nicaraguenses

While in cruising altitude on a cargo flight from Managua to Panama City, the engine n°3 detached and the n°4 caught fire. The pilot was able to extinguish the fire but unable to feather the propeller. Passengers jettisoned the cargo and eventually, the crew managed to ditch the aircraft in the Río San Carlos near Boca San Carlos. All six occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Frigorifico Reyes

Upon landing at La Paz-El Alto Airport, one of the main landing gear collapsed. The aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest upside down, broken in three and bursting into flames. All three crew members were injured.

Carga Aérea Dominicana

The crew was completing a cargo flight in the Caribbean when one or more engine failed en route. The crew thought this was caused by a fuel exhaustion and decided to divert to Congo Town Airport for an emergency landing. After touchdown, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran and came to rest. All three crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Sécurité civile française

The aircraft was dispatched in a fire fighting mission over the Pyrenees Mountains. After the water was spread over the fire, the crew was trying to gain height when the aircraft struck a rock and crashed on the south slope of the Puig Llobregat (Mt de la Pouge) located northeast of Perthus Pass. The aircraft was destroyed and all four crew members were killed. Crew: Jean-Pierre Davenet, Jacques Ogier, Jack Le Bel, Roland Denard.

Colombian Air Force - Fuerza Aérea Colombiana

Some aircraft operated by the Colombian Air Force were requisitioned to carry out regular schedule flights on behalf of Avianca because their pilots were striking. Few minutes after takeoff from Leticia-Alfredo Vásquez Cobo Airport, the pilot declared an emergency after the engine n°3 caught fire. While returning, fire spread to the right wing and the airplane went out of control and crashed in a jungle located 32 km north of the airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 80 occupants were killed.

Sécurité civile française

The four engine aircraft departed Marseille-Marignane on a special flight to Perpignan-Rivesaltes Airport, carrying two passengers and a crew of three under callsign Pélican 63. While descending to Perpignan Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with fog and rain showers. In limited visibility, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located near Fitou, about 20 km north of Perpignan Airport. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all five occupants were killed. The passengers were one engineer and one Colonel from the French Army while the captain, aged 64, was the deputy of the Chief of Operations of the Marseille-Marignane Airbase. They were flying to Perpignan-Rivesaltes Airport to proceed to a technical visit of the supply center.

Atlantida Linea Aérea Sudamericana - ALAS

After touchdown at San Miguel Airport, the four engine airplane rolled onto a mine, exploded and came to rest. A passenger was killed and few others were injured. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

LAC Colombia - Lineas Aéreas del Caribe

The four engine aircraft was approaching Bogotá-El Dorado Airport when it crashed in a mountainous terrain located about 18 km north of the airport. The wreckage was found on Mt Tablazo near Subachoque. All four crew members were killed.

Guyana Airways

After takeoff, while climbing, the crew informed ATC about an engine failure and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. The airplane went out of control and crashed near the airport, bursting into flames. All three crew members were killed.

Miami Air Lease

After takeoff from Alice Town, Bimini, the four engine airplane lost height and crashed into the sea. All four occupants were killed. It is believed that the crew was engaged in a drug smuggling flight.

Lineas Aéreas de Nicaragua - LANICA

Upon touchdown at Panama City-Tocumen Airport, the nose gear collapsed. The airplane slid on its nose for several dozen meters before coming to rest on runway. Both pilots escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

JMG

While approaching Port-au-Prince on a flight from Cockburn Harbour, South Caicos, the crew reported an engine failure. Few minutes later, all communications systems failed. The airplane descended and eventually crashed into the sea few km off shore. Rescuers were dispatched on scene and one pilot was found alive while three other occupants were killed.

Mexican Air Force - Fuerza Aérea Mexicana

Crashed into the sea about 10 km off Cozumel while completing a local training flight. All five crew members were killed.

Kimex

The four engine airplane was completing a cargo flight from Gainesvilles, Florida, to Kingston, Jamaica, carrying four people and a load of eggs. On final approach, the airplane was too high on the glide so the captain abandoned the approach and initiated a go-around. Few minutes later, during a second attempt to land, the airplane was too low and struck the water surface. It crash landed into shallow water (about 10 feet) some 1,500 meters short of runway. Two occupants were killed while two others were seriously injured.

Private Nicaraguan

The crew was completing an illegal flight and the airplane was carrying a load of 20,000 lbs of marijuana. After touchdown at an excessive speed, the four engine airplane was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran and collided with obstacles before coming to rest in fire. All three crew members were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Air Gabon

On approach to Moanda Airport, the four engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in a small lake located 11 km short of runway. All three crew members were killed.

LAC Colombia - Lineas Aéreas del Caribe

En route on a cargo flight from Port of Spain to Bogotá, while in cruising altitude, the crew declared an emergency and reported an engine failure. The captain elected to divert to Tame Airport when the aircraft apparently crashed in the El Cocuy National Park. SAR operations were initiated but eventually abandoned as no trace of the aircraft nor the three crew members was found. Crew: Efrain Medina, pilot Hernan Rios, copilot, Nicanor Miranda, flight engineer.

Mexican Air Force - Fuerza Aérea Mexicana

Shortly after takeoff from Omaha-Eppley Airport, while climbing, the airplane suffered an engine fire. It stalled and crashed in a huge explosion on a dyke located near the runway end. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all seven occupants were killed. The airplane was en route to Mexico following maintenance at Omaha facilities.

United States Navy - USN

The four engine airplane was flying from Concepción to Santiago and was carrying eight passengers and eight crew members taking part to 'Operation Unitas', a joint training exercise by the navies of the US, Peru and Chile. While approaching Santiago-Pudahuel Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions. Due to limited visibility, the captain decided to initiate a go-around manoeuvre. Few minutes later, while circling for another approach at an altitude of 2,600 feet, the airplane struck a mountain (3,000 feet high) located about 17 km south of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all 16 occupants were killed.

New World Air Charter

The crew just completed a cargo flight from Larnaca to Muscat and was flying back home. After a night takeoff from runway 26 at Muscat-Seeb Airport, at a height of 1,000 feet, the crew was cleared to climb to an altitude of 12,000 feet when the pilot-in-command initiated a 40° left turn. About three minutes after takeoff, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Hameem located near Fanja, about 20 km southwest of Muscat Airport. The airplane disintegrated on impact and all four crew members were killed.

Aviateca

The four engine airplane was completing a cargo flight from Miami to Guatemala City, carrying three crew members and a load consisting of alive animals (cows and horses). On final approach, the airplane pitched up and down then nosed down by an angle of 30° and crashed on a soccer field located few km short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and all three crew members and all animals were killed.

SLM Surinam Airways - Surinaamse Luchtvaart Maatschappij

On final approach to Paramaribo-Zanderij Airport in a visibility reduced to 200 meters, the four engine airplane struck trees and crashed 1,800 meters short of runway 10 threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and all three crew members were injured.

West Indies Air Transport

On approach to San Juan-Isla Verde Airport, the crew recycled the landing gear but the right main gear remained retracted. The crew was contacted by the tower controller but the captain decided to continue the approach. The airplane partially slid on its belly for about 4,300 feet then veered off runway to the right and came to rest in a drainage ditch. All three occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Skyways International

While conducting a cargo flight, the crew encountered technical problems and attempted an emergency landing when the airplane crash landed in the Brus lagoon located near Brus Laguna Airfield. All three crew members escaped with minor injuries and the aircraft was written off.

Aerovias Las Minas

Upon landing at La China Airstrip, one of the four engine exploded and caught fire. The crew stopped the aircraft and was able to evacuate the cabin before the airplane would be destroyed by fire.

Chilean Air Force - Fuerza Aérea de Chile

On approach to Puerto Montt-El Tepual Airport, the crew encountered very bad weather conditions with rain falls and a limited visibility due to the night. In unknown circumstances, the four engine airplane crashed in flames in a swampy area located five km short of runway. All seven crew members and 31 passengers were killed while 44 other occupants were injured.

Ethiopian Airlines

During the takeoff roll at Asmara Airport, the right main gear collapsed. The airplane veered off runway to the right and came to rest. All occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.