Aircraft Accident Briefing
The accident under report here concerns a private charter of a light twin prop aircraft, which appears to have been caused by the intercession of a series of conditions. Though the immediate correlation between factors is not apparent, a consideration of the various aspects which appear to have contributed to the incident may reveal some pattern for future prevention.
Using the 5M method of analysis, we can begin to unravel the conditions that resulted in the accident.
Man:
In this case, the pilot was a man of modest or limited flying experience who had reportedly been privately commissioned by a small group interesting in a sightseeing expedition. The pilot was said to have only 7 hours of flying experience in the particular model which is subjected in this report.
Machine: The aircraft itself is reported to have had a recent history of concern relating to the right engine. The pilot in question, though a novice, had previously reported that the engine seemed to be running 'rough.' In response, it was subjected to mechanical examination, which it passed. The aircraft had not been given the preflight run-up or post examination run-up which are common in such cases.
Mission:
The sightseeing expedition did not report a particular flight plan. The charter was used for this flight in spite of recent reports of problems due to a shortage of available charters on the private island airport.
Medium:
The island runway ascended into foggy and hazy conditions that were reportedly worsening.
Management: The pilot was not in contact with an management oversight but management did play a part in the shortcoming of certain procedures, including the allowance of the plane to fly without proper run-up procedures and the its allowance to fly in spite of carrying too much weight.
Conclusion:
Contributing causes to the accident were pilot inexperience, which allowed the pilot to take to the air in spite of less than ideal meteorological, mechanical and experiential conditions, as well as poor procedural attention to an aircraft with clear mechanical problems. The probable cause of the accident was a mechanical failure to the right engine, which under the oversight of a more experienced pilot, might have prevented flight in the first place. The island airport would be recommended to apply better and more concerted oversight to private charters.
