January 2008 Aircraft Accidents and Incidents - Part I

Hi Readers: After a 2-week hospital stay, I'm back on track.

There were 89 aircraft accidents in January 2008, of which 8 were non-U.S. There were 5 incidents of which 3 were non-U.S. A Bell 212 helicopter, non-US. accident, injuries not available was also reported. There were no reports of accidents for 1-20-08.

There were 22 fatal accidents accounting for 62 fatalities. Of the non-U.S. fatal accidents, a Beech 200 airplane crashed in Angola (13 fatal); a Cessna 210M crashed in Nambio (6 fatal); a Beech 58P crashed in Cherbourg, France (2 fatal); a Beech C90B crashed in Port Said, Egypt; a Piper PA-28 crashed in Treviso, Italy (2 fatal); and a Bell 206B helicopter crashed in Zuzenhausen, Germany (1 fatal).

There were 3 incidents during the period: One, an Air Canada Airbus 319 experienced a turbulence upset enroute from Toronto to Victoria, Canada, while climbing from FL 360 to 370. The airplane rolled uncommanded 36 degrees right, followed by a 57 degree roll to the left, then pitching nosedown. With 5 crew and 83 passengers aboard, there were 11 minor injuries. In another incident, American Air Lines FLT 1738, a B-757 on a night VFR flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Philadelphia had to declare an emergency due to smoke in the cockpit, landing at Palm Beach Intl airport. The pilot, First Officer, 3 of the Flight Attendants, and one passenger were transported to a hospital. While trying to determine the source of the smoke, the First Officer noticed that his windshield began to crack and small chards off glass began to impact him. During descent the windshield shattered, blocking outside visibility. In another incident an American Star Jet Charter B-737 experienced loss of directional control on exiting the landing runway at Lincoln, Nebraska on a day flight.

Of note, a non-U.S. British Airways accident occurred on 1-17-08 when a B-777 landed short of R/W 27L at Heathrow Intl airport. The 136 passengers deplaned by the emergency slide exits, with only 2 minor injuries. Th UK Air Accident Investigation Board is investigating. Also, of note, a Beech 200 (non-U.S.) charter flight crashed in mountainous terrain near Huambo, Angola during approach to land in IFR conditions. Thirteen fatalities were reported.

A 10-fatal mid-air collision occurred on 1-20-08 in daylight btween a Cessna 150M and a Cessna 172N, (both high-wing monoplanes) at the Corona, Ca. municipal airport (uncontrolled). The Cessna 150 was on the downwind leg for R/W25 and the Cessna 172 was entering a LH traffic pattern for R/W25. The commercial pilot and the passenger in the 172 and the two private pilots in the 150, and a person on the ground were fatally injured. There was no maneuvering prior to the collision. There is indication that the Cessna 150 was contacted from above, and that neither pilot observed the other airplane.

There were 3 helicopter accidents during the period, a Robinson R22 (1 fatal) impacted a Los Angeles freeway at night; a Robinson R44 (2 fatal) collided with the ground while maneuvering in daylight in Florida; and a non-U.S. Bell 212 helicopter crashed in a jungle area near Ketini,Peru, under unknown circumstances. Injuries to the 2-man flight crew and 7 passengers were unknown.

Of the non-fatal accidents during the period, there was a myriad of causes such as forced landing due to engine failure in flight, or on takeoff or landing, both airplanes and helicopters; numerous hard landings and groundloops, many connected with snow and ice conditions. There was one waterloop on landing, and an agriculture accident at night. A PA-28 and a Glastar airplane collided in flight and made it back to the airport. And there was one gear collapse. Of note, a B-757 and a Bombardier airplane, both being pushed back from the terminal at San Francisco, contacted each other at the tail sections. This is a new one on me.

Once again, the reported 22 fatal accidents over the Continental U.S. during the period indicate serious safety of flight problems - not limited to any particular time of flight, phase of flight, weather condition, mission, or pilot classification or proficiency issues. A fatal accident of note was a witnessed daylight breakup of a Fresno, CA.-based Beech V35B in flight over Selma, CA. at about 7,000 feet altitude.

The analysis of these fatal accidents will be covered in detail under PartII of the January 2008 accidents and incidents.

Thanks for listening. R.S.

The California Fires

With several fires still burning in Southern California on Saturday, 10-27-07, the horrible tradegy is still on our minds, and the aftermath is just starting. Before the mass exodus of volunteers and equipment and the rebuilding gets underway, let's thank all the firefighters, forestry people, pilots, volunteers, care-givers, and donors that brought it all to an end.
We all saw it on TV, spectacular, but heart-breaking, and we felt for the animals. But they were cared for, too. In my time, this was the worst fire I've ever seen. The volunteer of people and equipment from other States was fantastic. Even volunteer firefighters from Mexico, too. GA airports were being used as bases and staging areas for both ground and air firefighting operations.
It was a sight to see all the tankers dropping slurry and water on the high-rising flames and smoke, all against fierce Santa Ana winds. Department of Homeland Security Kerchoff reported on the fires, citing 90 tanker airplanes and helicopters of all sizes, operating from various airports and bases. There were Grumman S-2 airtankers, UH-1H Super Huey helicopters, the OV-10As from the Dept of Forestry, C-130 aircraft tankers, and a DC-10 air tanker. Firefighters came from all across the Country to help.
The aftermath and the recovery, I'm sure, will continue for months. The damage to property was estimated in excess of $ 1 Billion dollars. The damage to human suffering is unthinkable. What can be done to prevent the fires from happening in the future - it's going to take a lot of thought and planning from everyone. Let's start by getting rid of the arsonists promptly. The weather - we'll have to mediate.
Thanks for listening. R.S.