Embraer EMB-120 Brasília

Berry Aviation

The twin engine airplane departed Detroit-Willow Run (Ypsilanti) Airport at 2337LT on March 6 on a cargo service to Akron-Canton Airport, carrying two pilots and a load of various goods. After takeoff, the crew encountered technical problems and declared an emergency. He completed two low passes in front of the tower, apparently due to gear problems. Eventually, the aircraft belly landed at 0008LT and came to rest on runway 05R. Both pilots evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

African Express Airways

On approach to Bardale Airstrip, the twin engine aircraft struck the ground and crashed 5 km from the airport, bursting into flames. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all five occupants were killed. The crew was enroute from Mogadiscio to Bardale with an en route stop in Baidao, carrying medical supplies and mosquito nets.

Guicango

The twin engine aircraft departed Dundo Airport at 1658LT on an ambulance flight to Luanda, carrying three doctors, one patient from South Africa and three crew members. About 15 minutes into the flight, the crew reported engine problems when one of them caught fire shortly later. The airplane went out of control and crashed in an open field located near Cuilo, about 170 km southwest of Dundo. All seven occupants were killed.

RusLine

Following an uneventful flight from Ulyanovsk, the crew started the descent to Moscow-Domodedovo Airport. While following the approach checklist, the crew realized that the nose gear failed to deploy and remained stuck in its wheel well. Several attempts to lower the gear manually failed and the crew eventually decided to carry out a nose gear-up landing on runway 32L. After a holding circuit of about 45 minutes, the aircraft landed then slid on its nose for few dozen metres before coming to rest. All 31 occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Guicango

On final approach to Lucapa, the crew encountered technical problems and was forced to shut an engine down for unknown reason. After touchdown, the aircraft went out of control and veered off runway to the left. While contacting rough terrain, the aircraft lost its undercarriage and came to rest on its belly with severe damages to both wings, engines and fuselage. Three passengers were slightly injured.

Associated Aviation

The crew discussed some concerns about the aircraft prior to departure but at this time we are not prepared to elaborate on those concerns as there remains a lot of work to complete on the CVR analysis in order to determine the specific nature of the crew’s concerns. Associated 361 was cleared for take-off on runway one eight left at Lagos international airport. The wind was calm and weather is not considered a factor in this accident. Approximately 4 seconds after engine power was advanced to commence the take-off roll, the crew received an automated warning from the onboard computer voice which consisted of three chimes followed by “Take-off Flaps…Take-off Flaps”. This is a configuration warning that suggests that the flaps were not in the correct position for take-off and there is some evidence that the crew may have chosen not to use flaps for the take-off. The warning did not appear to come as any surprise to the crew and they continued normally with the take-off. This warning continues throughout the take-off roll. As we are in the process of verifying the accuracy of the flight data, we have not yet been able to confirm the actual flap setting however we expect to determine this in the fullness of time. It was determined from the CVR that the pilot flying was the Captain and the pilot monitoring and assisting was the First Officer. The ‘set power‘ call was made by the Captain and the ‘power is set’ call was confirmed by the First Officer as expected in normal operations. Approximately 3 seconds after the ‘power is set’ call, the First Officer noted that the aircraft was moving slowly. Approximately 7 seconds after the ‘power is set’ call, the internal Aircraft Voice warning system could be heard stating ‘Take off Flaps, Auto Feather’. Auto feather refers to the pitch of the propeller blades. In the feather position, the propeller does not produce any thrust. The FDR contains several engine related parameters which the AIB is studying. At this time, we can state that the Right engine appears to be producing considerably less thrust than the Left engine. The left engine appeared to be working normally. The aircraft automated voice continued to repeat ‘Take-off Flaps, Auto Feather’. The physical examination of the wreckage revealed that the right engine propeller was in the feather position and the engine fire handle was pulled/activated. The standard ‘eighty knots’ call was made by the First Officer. The first evidence that the crew indicated that there was a problem with the take-off roll was immediately following the ‘eighty knots’ call. The First Officer asked if the take- off should be aborted approximately 12 seconds after the ‘eighty knots’ callout. Our investigation team estimates the airspeed to be approximately 95 knots. Airspeed was one of the parameters that, while working in the cockpit, appeared not to be working on the Flight Data Recorder. We were able to estimate the speed based on the radar data that we synchronized to the FDR and CVR but it is very approximate because of this. In response to the First Officer’s question to abort, the Captain indicated that they should continue and they continued the take-off roll. The crew did not make a ‘V1’ call or a Vr’ call. V1 is the speed at which a decision to abort or continue a take-off is made. Vr is the speed at which it is planned to rotate the aircraft. Normally the non-flying pilot calls both the V1 and the Vr speeds. When Vr is called the flying pilot pulls back on the control column and the aircraft is rotated (pitched up) to climb away from the runway. During the rotation, the First Officer stated ‘gently’, which we believe reflects concern that the aircraft is not performing normally and therefore needs to be rotated very gently so as not to aerodynamically stall the aircraft. The First Officer indicated that the aircraft was not climbing and advised the Captain who was flying not to stall the aircraft. Higher climb angles can cause an aerodynamic stall. If the aircraft is not producing enough overall thrust, it is difficult or impossible to climb without the risk of an aerodynamic stall. Immediately after lift-off, the aircraft slowly veered off the runway heading to the right and was not climbing properly. This aircraft behavior appears to have resulted in the Air Traffic Controller asking Flight 361 if operation was normal. Flight 361 never responded. Less than 10 seconds after rotation of the aircraft to climb away from the runway, the stall warning sounded in the cockpit and continued to the end of the recording. The flight data shows characteristics consistent with an aerodynamic stall. 31 seconds after the stall warning was heard, the aircraft impacted the ground in a nose down near 90° right bank.

Inter Iles Air

The aircraft was on its way from Moroni-Hahaya-Iconi-Prince Saïd Ibrahim Airport to the Ouani Airport located on the neighboring island of Anjouan. Shortly after take off from runway 20, while in initial climb, the captain informed ATC about technical problem and elected to return. He realized he could not make it so he attempted to ditch the aircraft some 200 metres off shore, about 5 km from the airport. All 29 occupants were rescued, among them five were slightly injured.

Nationale Régionale Transport - NRT

The aircraft was performing a regular schedule flight from Libreville to Port Gentil. The approach was completed in poor weather conditions with low visibility (1,000 metres) due to heavy rain falls. After touchdown, the aircraft did not decelerate as expected, skidded on runway, overran and came to rest down a slight embankment in shallow water. Both engines caught fire and both wings were partially torn off. All 30 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. A thunderstorm was passing over the area at the time of the accident.

Angola Air Force - Força Aérea Nacional Angolana

Shortly after take off from Huambo-Albano Machado Airport, the twine engine aircraft stalled and crashed near the runway end, bursting into flames. All four crew and two passengers survived while 17 passengers were killed. There were 11 officers, three generals and six civilians on board. This Embraer Brasilia was the most recent built in service.