True Aviation Flight 21

Last updated

True Aviation Flight 21
S2-AGZ True Aviation An-26B (c n 13408) at JSR (25640070605).jpg
S2-AGZ, the aircraft involved in the accident
Accident
Date9 March 2016 (2016-03-09)
SummaryEngine failure on take-off and pilot error
Site0.5 km (0.3 mi) off Cox's Bazar Airport, Bangladesh
Aircraft
Aircraft type Antonov An-26B
OperatorTrue Aviation
Call signALPHA GOLF ZULU 21
Registration S2-AGZ
Flight origin Cox's Bazar Airport, Bangladesh
Destination Jessore Airport, Bangladesh
Occupants4
Crew4
Fatalities3
Injuries1
Survivors1

True Aviation Flight 21 was a regularly scheduled domestic cargo flight in Bangladesh, flying from Cox's Bazar to Jashore. On 9 March 2016, the Antonov An-26 crashed into the Bay of Bengal shortly after take-off from Cox's Bazar Airport. [1] [2] The aircraft was attempting to return to the airport after experiencing an engine failure. Three of the four crew members on board were killed in the accident. [3]

Contents

Background

The flight was managed by True Blue Aviation. Ashek Ullah Rafique, a member from the Parliament of Cox's Bazar and member of the Awami League is one of the owners of the airline. [1]

Accident

On 9 March 2016, an Antonov An-26 owned by True Aviation and operating a cargo flight as Flight 21 was scheduled to fly from Cox's Bazar Airport to Jessore Airport. [2] The cargo on board was 4,800 kg of shrimp fries. [4]

At 02:58 UTC, according to the ATC, the crew requested the startup clearance, afterwards, the ATC controller informed the crew that the visibility at Jessore Airport was 3 km. The aircraft was cleared to taxi to runway 35 via taxiway S. [4]

At 03:05 UTC, the aircraft requested takeoff clearance and was cleared to take-off a few moments later. [4]

Immediately after the aircraft was airborne, the pilots informed the tower that they were experiencing an engine failure, without initially reporting which one of the two engines was failing. The pilots later confirmed that the left-hand engine had failed, which led the pilot to request an immediate return to Cox's Bazar Airport. [4]

The air traffic controller advised the pilot to call for a left-hand downwind approach, but instead the pilot made a right-hand downwind approach at a very low altitude. [4]

All emergency service vehicles were put on standby by the controllers. The aircraft was on final approach when it requested clearance for an emergency landing, but for unknown reasons at the time of the final report, the aircraft initiated a go-around at a low altitude. According to the flight controller, the plane was flying at an altitude between 400 and 500 ft; this was also confirmed by the surviving flight navigator. [4]

The ATC repeatedly kept calling the aircraft to advise the left-hand downwind approach, but there was no response from the crew, and communication with the aircraft was lost.

At 03:32 UTC, the airport authorities were told that the aircraft had crashed approximately 3 kilometers west of the airport, in the Bay of Bengal. [5] [3] [6]

A rescue operation involving the Bangladeshi Navy, Coast Guard, and fire service was immediately initiated by airport authorities, and the crew were found to have been located by local fisherman. Three crew members were declared dead at the scene; the causes of death for all 3 were later determined to be head trauma upon impact. The fourth crew member was rushed to the district hospital in Cox's Bazar and was later moved to Dhaka for treatment of his injuries. [1] [4] The aircraft was totally destroyed. [4]

Aircraft and crew

Aircraft

The aircraft involved was an Antonov An-26, which entered service on 15 February 1984. On 17 July 2014, the aircraft entered service in Bangladesh. [4] The aircraft was powered by two Ivchenko Al-24 turboprop engines. [3] The aircraft had accumulated 16,379 hours of flight time at the time of the accident. [4]

The aircraft was owned by Air Urga and was on lease to True Aviation. [4]

Crew

The crew consisted of four pilots, all of whom were Ukrainian nationals. [7] Three of the four crew members were killed, whilst one survived.

The dead were: [4] [8]

The survivor was: [4] [8]

Investigation

The Air Accident Investigation Group of Bangladesh, or AAIG-BD, opened an investigation into the accident on the same day it occurred. Since the crew members were Ukrainian, the National Bureau of Air Accidents Investigation of Ukraine assisted in the investigation. Ukrainian members of the accident investigation team visited the crash site between 21 and 26 March 2016. [4]

On the same day as the accident, the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder were recovered. Both recorders, manufactured in Ukraine, showed no external signs of damage. [4]

On 11 April, both recorders were sent to the headquarters of the National Bureau of Air Accidents Investigation of Ukraine in Kyiv to be inspected. According to the NBAAI analysis of both recorders, the cockpit voice recorder could not be read due to the internal damage suffered, but the flight data recorder was in good condition; therefore, a readout of the recorder was possible. [4]

The investigation found that the reason for engine failure was a drop in oil pressure in the torque meter system. The surviving crew member reported that the crew was having difficulty controlling the aircraft while attempting emergency landing approaches prior to the crash. The investigation determined that the weather conditions were fit for departure, the crew were appropriately skilled and were medically fit at the time of the accident, and the aircraft was airworthy. [4]

The causes of the crash were determined to be: [4]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of aviation in Bangladesh</span>

The history of aviation in Bangladesh began with kites, the traditional heavier-than-air man-made object, that is flown by one or more people while staying on the ground. The first recorded manned flight was arranged by the Dhaka Nawab Family in 1882, which resulted in the death of the flyer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PMTair Flight 241</span> 2007 aviation accident

Progress Multi Trade Air Flight 241 was a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville, Cambodia. The flight was operated by regional airliner PMTair using an Antonov An-24. On 25 June 2007, the Antonov An-24, registered as XU-U4A, disappeared over the Cambodian jungle near Bokor Mountain in Kampot while on approach to Sihanoukville. A massive search and rescue operation ensued with thousands of soldiers and police scoured the area. The aircraft was found to have crashed in southwestern Cambodia, northeast of Dâmrei Mountains. All 22 people on board, most of whom were South Korean tourists, were killed. It remains as the second deadliest air disaster in Cambodian history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moskovia Airlines Flight 9675</span> 2008 An-12 crash

On 26 May 2008, Moskovia Airlines Flight 9675, a Moskovia Airlines An-12 cargo aircraft crashed near Chelyabinsk, Russia. After taking off for a flight to Perm, it turned back due to a fire on board and crashed 11 kilometres from the airport, killing all nine crew members.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aeroflot Flight 821</span> 2008 Boeing 737-500 crash in Russia

Aeroflot-Nord Flight 821 was a scheduled domestic passenger flight operated by Aeroflot-Nord in a service agreement with Aeroflot and as its subsidiary. On 14 September 2008, the aircraft operating the flight crashed on approach to Perm International Airport at 5:10 local time (UTC+06). All 82 passengers and six crew members were killed. Among the passengers who were killed was Russian Colonel General Gennady Troshev, an adviser to the President of Russia who had been the commander of the North Caucasus Military District during the Second Chechen War. A section of the Trans-Siberian Railway was damaged by the crash. Flight 821 is the deadliest accident involving a Boeing 737-500, surpassing the 1993 crash of Asiana Airlines Flight 733, and was the second-deadliest aviation accident in 2008, behind Spanair Flight 5022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1979 Dniprodzerzhynsk mid-air collision</span> Fatal aviation accident in Ukraine

On 11 August 1979, a mid-air collision occurred over the Ukrainian SSR, near the city of Dniprodzerzhynsk. The aircraft involved were both Tupolev Tu-134As on scheduled domestic passenger flights, operated by Aeroflot. All 178 people aboard both aircraft died in the accident.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">JS Air Flight 201</span> 2010 aviation accident

On 5 November 2010, JS Air Flight 201, a Beechcraft 1900 passenger aircraft on a charter service from Karachi to the Bhit Shah gas field in Sindh, Pakistan, crashed near Karachi's Jinnah International Airport, after suffering an engine malfunction at take-off. All 21 people on board were killed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Si Fly Flight 3275</span> 1999 aviation accident

Si Fly Flight 3275 (KSV3275) was a non-scheduled international passenger flight from the Italian capital of Rome to Pristina, Kosovo. The flight was operated by Italian airliner Si Fly using an ATR 42-300 series. On 12 November 1999, the aircraft struck a mountain during the approach to Pristina, killing everyone on board. With 24 deaths, the accident remains as the deadliest aviation disaster in Kosovo's history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1997 Irkutsk Antonov An-124 crash</span>

On 6 December 1997 a Russian Air Force Antonov An-124-100, en route from Irkutsk Northwest Airport to Cam Ranh Air Base in Vietnam, crashed in a residential area after takeoff from the airport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sepahan Airlines Flight 5915</span> 2014 aviation accident

Sepahan Airlines Flight 5915 was a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Iranian capital Tehran Mehrabad International Airport to Tabas, South Khorasan province, Iran. On 10 August 2014, the HESA IrAn-140 twin turboprop serving the flight crashed shortly after takeoff from Mehrabad International Airport, falling into a boulevard near the Azadi Stadium. Of the 42 passengers and six crew on board, 40 people died.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flydubai Flight 981</span> 2016 aircraft crash in Rostov-on-Don, Russia

Flydubai Flight 981 (FZ981/FDB981) was a scheduled international passenger flight from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to Rostov-on-Don, Russia. On 19 March 2016, the Boeing 737-800 aircraft operating the flight crashed during a go-around, killing all 62 passengers and crew on board.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alaska Central Express Flight 51</span> 2013 aviation accident

Alaska Central Express Flight 51 was an Alaska Central Express flight from Anchorage to King Salmon and Dillingham, Alaska. On 8 March 2013, the Beechcraft 1900C-1 serving the flight crashed into a mountain on approach to Dillingham Airport, killing both crew members on board.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Silk Way Airlines Antonov An-12 crash</span> 2016 aviation accident in Afghanistan

On 18 May 2016, a Silk Way Airlines Antonov An-12 cargo plane crashed after an engine failure during the take off run at Dwyer Airport in southern Afghanistan, en route to Mary International Airport in Turkmenistan. Seven of the nine crew members on board were killed in the crash, which was the second incident for Silk Way in Afghanistan after a 2011 Il-76 crash. The two survivors, whom were Ukrainian men who worked as technicians and were not in the flights cockpit were taken to hospital and treated for their injuries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Centurion Air Cargo Flight 164</span> 2008 aviation accident

Centurion Air Cargo Flight 164 was a chartered international cargo flight, flying from Bogota's El Dorado International Airport while en route to Miami International Airport. The flight was operated by Kalitta Air and the aircraft was wet leased by Centurion Air Cargo. On 7 July 2008, the aircraft, a Boeing 747-209BSF registered as N714CK, crashed shortly after takeoff. All aboard suffered injuries, but none were killed. Two people on the ground were killed after the plane slammed into a farm. The crash was the second crash of a Boeing 747 in 2008 in Kalitta Air service, after a previous accident at Brussels in May.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical Airways Flight 1301</span> Domestic short-haul passenger flight crash

Tropical Airways Flight 1301 (TBG1301/M71301) was a domestic short-haul passenger flight, flying from Cap-Haïtien International Airport in Cap-Haïtien, Haiti to the commune of Port-de-Paix which crashed onto a sugarcane field less than 10 minutes after take off on the evening of 24 August 2003. The aircraft was a 19-seater Let L-410 Turbolet carrying 19 passengers and 2 crew. Witnesses stated that the aircraft caught fire during take-off and exploded when it hit the ground. All on board were killed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pulkovo Aviation Enterprise Flight 9045</span> 1994 aviation accident

Pulkovo Aviation Enterprise Flight 9045 was a cargo flight that crashed on approach to Nalchik while carrying 12,515 kg (27,591 lb) of coins from the Saint Petersburg Mint, killing all 13 occupants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2000 East Coast Aviation Services British Aerospace Jetstream crash</span>

On May 21, 2000, a British Aerospace BAe-3101 Jetstream 3101 operated by East Coast Aviation Services crashed into mountainous terrain in Bear Creek Township, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The plane was carrying 17 professional gamblers returning home from Caesar's Palace Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, along with 2 crew members. It was chartered by Caesar's Palace. All 19 passengers and crews on board were killed on impact. This accident, alongside the accident of Aerocaribe Flight 7831 were the accidents with the most fatalities involving the Jetstream 3101 airliner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angara Airlines Flight 200</span> 2019 aviation accident

Angara Airlines Flight 200 was a domestic scheduled flight from Ulan-Ude Airport to Nizhneangarsk Airport, Russia. On 27 June 2019, the Antonov An-24RV aircraft operating the flight suffered an engine failure on take-off. On landing at Nizhneangarsk, the aircraft departed the runway and collided with a building. The captain and flight engineer were killed. Many of the 43 passengers sustained injuries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Air Flight 251 (2021)</span> 2021 airplane crash in Russia

Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Air Flight 251 (PTK251) was a domestic Russian scheduled passenger flight from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to Palana, both in Kamchatka Krai in the Russian Far East. On 6 July 2021, the Antonov An-26 serving the flight crashed on approach to Palana, killing all 28 passengers and crew on board.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meridian Flight 3032</span> 2022 aviation incident

Meridian Flight 3032 was an Antonov An-12BK which crashed in July 2022 near Antiphilippi, Kavala, Greece while trying to make an emergency landing at Kavala International Airport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LATAM Airlines Perú Flight 2213</span> 2022 aviation accident

LATAM Airlines Perú Flight 2213 was a scheduled domestic passenger flight in Peru from Lima to Juliaca. On 18 November 2022, the Airbus A320neo was taking off from Jorge Chávez International Airport when it collided with a fire engine that was crossing the runway, killing two firefighters and injuring a third, who died of his injuries seven months later. Forty people were injured, 4 serious and 36 minor. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and written off, making it the first hull loss of the A320neo family.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "3 die as cargo plane crashes in the Bay". The Daily Star. 10 March 2016. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
  2. 1 2 "Russian Antonov An-26 Cargo Plane Crashes In Bangladesh, Pilot Dead, 2 Others Missing". International Business Times. 9 March 2016. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 "ASN Aircraft accident Antonov 26B S2-AGZ Cox's Bazar Airport (CXB)". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 "Final Report | Aircraft AN-26B | Flight S2-AGZ21 | Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh" (PDF). AAIG-BD. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  5. "3 killed as cargo plane crashes in Bay". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  6. "Cargo plane crashes, three killed". Stuff. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  7. "Ukrainian nationals killed in Bangladesh cargo plane crash". newsnextbd.com. Archived from the original on 11 March 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  8. 1 2 "Three Killed in Cargo Aircraft Crash in Bangladesh". Outlook. Retrieved 3 April 2016.