Short SC.7 Skyvan Variant

Arctic Circle Air Service

The airline transport pilot was departing in a twin engine turboprop airplane on a ferry flight from a remote lodge airstrip that was about 1,000 feet long and 40 feet wide. The airplane had previously received substantial damage to the nose wheel assembly on a previous flight to the airstrip. Repairs were made to the airframe, and the pilot was departing for a maintenance facility. The pilot had flown in and out of the airstrip on numerous occasions, but not in the accident type airplane. The lodge owner reported that the pilot started both engines and taxied the length of the airstrip, stopping momentarily several times. The pilot ran the engines for about 20 minutes, and then began a takeoff to the south. The airplane appeared to accelerate and remain on the centerline of the airstrip, but did not liftoff until the very end of the airstrip. The owner did not notice any unusual sounds or appearance of the engines. After liftoff, the wheels of the airplane struck and broke off the tops of trees and shrubs, that were about 6 to 7 feet above the ground. The airplane immediately veered to the right, and went out of the lodge owner's sight, but he continued to hear the airplane hitting trees until final impact. The airplane crashed in a shallow lake, coming to rest about 300 feet from shore, in about 5 feet of water. The entire cockpit area, forward of the wings, was torn off the airframe. The validity of any postaccident cockpit and instrument findings was unreliable due to the extensive damage to the cockpit. Likewise, structural damage to the airframe precluded determining wing flap settings during takeoff. Performance calculations indicated that the airplane's takeoff distance would have been about 950 feet, although the lodge owner said that in his experience, the accident airplane was capable of lifting off about half way down the airstrip without difficulty. The circumstances of the takeoff indicated that the left engine had been producing sufficient power to chop through several trees during the crash. Testing and inspection of the right engine was inconclusive, and although it was run on a test stand at reduced power, full power could not be attained due to ingestion of foreign material during the test run.

Trans Guyana Airways

One minute after takeoff from Georgetown-Ogle Airport runway 24, the pilot declared an emergency after an engine failed. He elected to return for an emergency landing but eventually attempted to land in a sugarcane field when the aircraft crashed near the airport. Five people were seriously injured while two others were killed.

Summit Air Charters

At 1108 mountain daylight time on 08 October 2000, the Summit Air Charter's Short Brothers SC-7 Skyvan, serial number SH1953, departed on a visual flight rules six-hour flight from Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, to Kugluktuk, Nunavut, to Port Radium, Northwest Territories, and back to Yellowknife. The flight plan indicated a one-hour stop in Kugluktuk, with an estimated time of arrival at Yellowknife of 1710. The pilot-in-command was the chief pilot of Summit Air Charters Ltd. A cargo handler, who was also a pilot, was in the co-pilot's seat, and there was one passenger. When the aircraft failed to arrive at Yellowknife, Search and Rescue (SAR) were alerted and a search was begun. At 2202 SAR personnel confirmed that the SAR satellite was picking up an emergency locator transmitter signal in the vicinity of Port Radium. SAR aircraft were directed to the signal location and found the signal source but were not able to see the wreckage because of fog and freezing rain. The wreckage was found at 1309 the following day. The aircraft had struck the top of steeply rising hills along the east shore of Great Bear Lake, approximately 2.9 nautical miles northeast of the Port Radium airstrip. The crash site is approximately 440 feet above the lake surface and 250 feet above the airstrip elevation (see Appendix A). The aircraft was destroyed, and the three persons on board were fatally injured.

Nepalese Army

During the takeoff roll on runway 20, the aircraft started to skid. Halfway down, the crew decided to abandon the takeoff procedure but the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran and came to rest in a ravine. Both pilots escaped uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Weather conditions were good at the time of the accident with an OAT of 18° C. and light wind. The Surkhet Airport runway 20/02 is grass and is 3,400 feet long. It was reported that at the time of the accident, the turf was quit high and wet due to the morning dew which was considered as a contributing factor.

Pink Aviation Services

After takeoff from runway 25 at Zell am See Airport, the aircraft started to roll left and right. It banked right to an angle of 40° then stalled and crashed in an open field near the airport. All 21 occupants were rescued, among them eight were injured. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair after the undercarriage and both wings were torn off upon impact.

Mexican Air Force - Fuerza Aérea Mexicana

The twin engine aircraft departed Mexico City-Benito Juárez Airport on a liaison flight to Tuxtla Gutiérrez, carrying four people. While cruising at an altitude of 18,200 feet in good weather conditions on airway V22, the aircraft struck the slope of the Orizaba Peak. The wreckage was found at the altitude of 5,547 metres and all four occupants were killed. The aircraft had also the civil registration XC-UTQ.

Arctic Circle Air Service

The pilot of Cessna 207A, N800GA, was returning to his company base, passing about 2 miles north of a remote airstrip that was along the route of flight. The airstrip did not have any control tower. [Communications around an uncontrolled airport are conducted on a common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF)]. The pilot of a Short SC7, N451SA, announced his departure from the same airstrip on the CTAF, and took off in a northerly direction. He then began a climbing right turn toward the same destination as the Cessna 207A was proceeding. The two airplanes collided in mid-air, about 1.49 nautical miles east-northeast of the airstrip, which was about 18.3 miles west of their destination. They were observed spiraling downward from about 800 ft above the ground. Both airplanes were found lying flat and upright on a frozen lake, entangled together at the accident site. The Cessna's burned wreckage was lying on top of (and positioned toward the aft third of) the burned wreckage of the Short SC7.

North Star Air Cargo

The pilot had flown this route in make and model airplane for nearly 4 years. He calculated 900 pounds of fuel were required for the flight, and saw 956 pounds on the fuel totalizer. The pilot was told by the ground controller of weather delays to his destination that ranged up to 2.5 hours. En route he was issued holding instructions with an EFC of 50 minutes later. After released from holding, 52 minutes after takeoff, the pilot was told that he was being vectored for a 35 mile final approach. The pilot then told the controller that he was fuel critical and the controller vectored him ahead of other airplanes. Ten minutes later, 84 minutes after takeoff, the controller asked his fuel status, and the pilot responded 'pretty low, seems like I'm losing oil pressure.' The pilot then advised the controller, 85 minutes after takeoff, that he shut down the right engine. He then declared an emergency and advised that he was not going to make the airport. Examination of the wreckage revealed the fuel tanks were intact, the fuel caps were secured, and the amount of fuel recovered from both tanks was 1.5 gallons, which was less than the specified unusable quantity. Company records showed that similar flights took about 48 minutes, and the airplane's average fuel flow was 580 pounds per hour.

Pink Aviation Services

The aircraft was dispatched at Hoogeveen Airport to perform local skydiving missions. While cruising at an altitude of 8,000 feet, both engines failed simultaneously. The crew ordered the skydivers to bail out and decided to return for an emergency landing. On final, the crew realized he could not make it and eventually completed an emergency landing in a potato field located about 500 metres short of runway. Both pilots escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

North Star Air Cargo

The pilot had departed a remote airstrip on the return portion of a cargo flight. An instrument flight plan was on file with the ARTCC. After departure, the pilot attempted to contact ARTCC to open his flight plan but communications were not established. The airplane struck mountainous terrain about 6 miles south of the departure airport. Radar data showed that after departure, the airplane climbed westbound and then turned southbound toward higher terrain. It circled southwest of the airport and turned eastbound while climbing to 5,300 feet msl. The airplane then turned southbound again toward the accident site. The last recorded radar data was at 5,200 feet msl. The airplane struck a ridgeline about 4,800 feet msl. Airmets were in effect for IFR conditions, low ceilings, mountain obscurations, rain, fog, and icing in clouds and in precipitation. A witness reported that when the airplane arrived at the airport, the airframe had a coating of ice. When the airplane departed, snow was falling at the airport.

Pink Aviation Services

The twin engine aircraft departed Hohenems-Dornbirn Airport on a local skydiving mission, carrying 23 skydivers and one pilot. After takeoff from runway 05, while climbing to a height of about 50 metres, the pilot encountered difficulties to gain height and elected to make an emergency landing when the right wing struck a tree. The aircraft stalled and crashed in an open field located 500 metres from the runway end. Four occupants, including the pilot, were injured. All 20 other occupants escaped uninjured. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Peterborough Parachute Centre

The twin engine aircraft departed Empuriabravia Airfield on a local skydiving mission. After all skydivers jumped, the pilot returned to the airport. On final approach, the pilot encountered engine problems and initiated a go-around procedure when the aircraft lost height, struck trees and crashed short of runway threshold. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

CAE Aviation

On final approach to Vahun Airfield, at a height of 40 feet and at a speed of 77 knots, the twin engine aircraft adopted a high sink rate. The captain increased engine power when the aircraft rolled to the right, collided with trees and crashed few hundred metres short of runway. All 13 occupants were rescued and the aircraft was destroyed.

Hornbill Skyways

En route from Ba'kelalan to Marudi, weather conditions deteriorated and the visibility was poor due to heavy rain falls. The crew lost his orientation and due to fuel exhaustion, was forced to attempt an emergency landing. After landing in an open field, the aircraft struck a rock and crashed. One passenger was killed while 16 other occupants were rescued.

Pan Malaysian Air Transport

En route from Medan to Banda Aceh, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with limited visibility due to clouds. The crew informed ATC about his altitude at 8,500 feet when, three minutes later, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Kapur located about 130 km northwest of Medan. The wreckage was found few hours later and all 14 occupants were killed.

Arctic Circle Air Service

The airplane rolled 200-300 feet before becoming airborne in a very nose high attitude. It maintained this attitude, made a right, then a left bank, and fell to the ground in a nose high attitude. The cargo consisted of eight 55-gallons drums of fuel, laid on their side and secured by one cargo strap running fore and aft and another cargo strap running diagonally across the barrels. The tie down ring ultimate strength rating was 1,600 pounds. The weight of the cargo was 2,863 pounds. Three of the cargo hooks associated with the cargo straps were found still attached to the tie down rings, and one hook and tie down ring were not located. Post-impact fire destroyed the cargo straps, and the barrels were strewn randomly through the cabin/cargo area. According to the manufacturer, the davis tie down ring installation is not approved by the manufacturer. The modification should have been accomplished under a supplemental type certificate. The logbooks showed only an entry. The certificated max gross weight was calculated to have been exceeded by 324.8 lbs. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Airtech Rajawali Udara

18 minutes after takeoff from Bario Airport, while in cruising altitude, both engines failed due to fuel exhaustion. The crew attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft struck trees and crashed in a wooded area located 9 km from Long Seridan. Six passengers were rescued while 14 other occupants were killed, among them both pilots.

North Star Air Cargo

The non-scheduled, all cargo, air taxi flight was landing at the mining strip and upon touchdown the pilot-in-command released the yoke with his left hand and grabbed the nose steering tiller. The pilot-in-command stated that before he could apply reverse thrust, the nose of the airplane came up off the ground and the airplane began to veer to the right. He applied left rudder and power to the right engine, but the airplane left the right side of the runway.

RV-Aviation - Rauno Virtanen Aviation

The crew was completing a cargo flight from Helsinki-Malmi Airport to Mariehamn on behalf of DHL. On approach at an altitude of 2,000 feet, both engines failed. The crew lost control of the airplane that crashed in the sea few km offshore. The aircraft sank and both pilots were killed.

Air Malawi

While in cruising altitude on a flight from Blantyre to Lilongwe, the twin engine aircraft was shot down by a surface-to-air missile. Out of control, it crashed in Ulongwé, killing all 10 occupants.

Eastindo - East Indonesia Air Taxi %26 Charter Service

While approaching Manado-Sam Ratulangi Airport, the crew encountered marginal weather conditions and failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Takawirang located few km from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all 13 occupants were killed.

Malawi Police Air Wing

On approach to Mombasa-Moi Airport while on a positioning flight, both engines failed simultaneously. The crew attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft struck trees and crash landed near a road about 18 km from the airport. Both pilots were slightly injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Nepalese Army

While approaching Dhangadhi Airport, the twin engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in a wooded area located on a mountain slope, few km from the airfield. All 25 occupants were killed.

Gifford Aviation

Upon landing at Slave Creek Airport, the twin engine airplane landed hard and bounced. On impact, the undercarriage were torn off and the airplane came to rest. Both pilots were uninjured while the aircraft was written off.

Guyana Civil Aviation Department

While cruising in poor weather conditions, the twin engine airplane struck the slope of a mountain shrouded in clouds and located in the Kamoa Mountain Range. All four occupants were killed.

Malaysian Air Charter

While taxiing at Pulau Penang Airport, the twin engine airplane collided in unknown circumstances with a second Malaysian Air Charter Short Skyvan registered 9M-AQG. There were no casualties while both aircraft were damaged beyond repair.

Malaysian Air Charter

While taxiing at Pulau Penang Airport, the twin engine airplane collided in unknown circumstances with a second Malaysian Air Charter Short Skyvan registered 9M-AXN. There were no casualties while both aircraft were damaged beyond repair.

Nepalese Army

Crashed in unknown circumstances. Crew fate unknown.

Gifford Aviation

On approach to Toksook Bay Airport, the crew encountered whiteout conditions with fog and snow falls. While descending under VFR mode, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck the ground and crashed in a snow covered area located short of runway. Both crew members were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Air Cargo Hawaii

On final approach to Kona-Keahole Airport, the twin engine airplane stalled and crashed short of runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.

Gulf Air

While cruising over the Persian Gulf on a cargo flight from Bahrain to Abu Dhabi-Al Bateen Airport, the airplane suffered an engine failure. The crew reduced his altitude and ditched the aircraft off Das Island, about 160 km northwest of Abu Dhabi. Both occupants were rescued while the airplane sank and was lost.

Sultan of Oman Air Force

Crashed in unknown circumstances. Crew fate remains unknown.

Indonesian Air Force - TNI-AU Tentara Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Udara

Suffered an accident somewhere in Indonesia. Occupant's fate remains unknown.

Ansett Airlines of Papua New Guinea

While cruising at an altitude of 10,250 feet in marginal weather conditions, the twin engine airplane struck the northeastern slope of Mt Giluwe (14,346 feet high). At the time of the accidents, clouds (CB's) were present up to 9,000 feet and the visibility was poor. It was reported that the pilot should follow another route but was off track for unknown reason.

Viking International Air Freight

On final approach to La Crosse Airport by night on a cargo flight from Chicago, the pilot lost control of the airplane that nosed down and crashed few dozen yards short of runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.

Indonesian Air Force - TNI-AU Tentara Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Udara

The airplane was engaged in a night training mission, carrying six passengers and two pilots. In unknown circumstances, the twin engine airplane crashed into the sea off Biak. All eight occupants were killed.

Pan Alaska Airways

While cruising at an altitude of 2,500 feet , the right engine failed. The crew feathered its propeller when the left engine lost power. The crew reduced his altitude and elected to make an emergency landing when the airplane struck trees and crashed near an icy river. Both pilots were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Jetco Aviation International

At approximately 10:48 a.m. eastern daylight time on July 2, 1970, Short Brothers & Harland, Ltd., Skyvan Series 3, N21CK, operated by Jetco Aviation, Inc., Washington, D. C., as air taxi cargo flight, Flight 106, crashed during an approach to Washington National Airport. The aircraft was demolished but did not burn. Both cremnembers received fatal injuries. There were no passengers. According to witnesses, the aircraft was first visible to them, through fog and haze, when it was 700 to 800 feet above and about one-half mile out from the threshold of Runway 15. Shortly after the aircraft came into view of the witnesses, it nosed down and rolled left until the wings were nearly vertical. The nose-down angle steepened progressively until it reached 45° or more. The aircraft struck the water of Roaches Run in this attitude, cartwheeled onto the right wingtip and sank in water 12 to 15 feet deep about 1,800 feet north of the threshold of Runway 15. Both pilots were killed.

Aeralpi

The crew was completing a local training mission at Venice-Marco Polo Airport. On approach, the visibility decreased due to foggy conditions and the pilot-in-command continued the descent at a too high speed, causing the airplane to land at an IAS of 100 knots instead of 70 knots as prescribed. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran, lost its undercarriage and plunged into the sea. All three crew members were injured and the aircraft was destroyed as the right wing was torn off.