Incident Overview

Date: Tuesday 15 March 2005
Aircraft Type: Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2B-26 Islander
Owner/operator: Loganair
Registration Number: G-BOMG
Location: 14 km WNW Campbeltown-Machrihanish Airport (CAL) – ÿ United Kingdom
Phase of Flight: Approach
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2
Component Affected: Aircraft Flight Controls (specifically descent and control).Aircraft Flight Controls (specifically descent and control).
Category: Accident
An Islander aircraft, operating for the Scottish Ambulance Service, experienced a catastrophic accident during an air ambulance task at Glasgow Airport. The pilot, with no recent flying experience, was instructed to complete a short flight to regain currency before landing. Due to adverse weather conditions at Campbeltown Airport, an instrument approach was initiated. The pilot transmitted a base turn and began descent, eventually impacting the sea. The incident resulted in the aircraft’s breakup.An Islander aircraft, operating for the Scottish Ambulance Service, experienced a catastrophic accident during an air ambulance task at Glasgow Airport. The pilot, with no recent flying experience, was instructed to complete a short flight to regain currency before landing. Due to adverse weather conditions at Campbeltown Airport, an instrument approach was initiated. The pilot transmitted a base turn and began descent, eventually impacting the sea. The incident resulted in the aircraft’s breakup.

Description

The Glasgow based Islander aircraft was engaged on an air ambulance task for the Scottish Ambulance Service when the accident occurred. The pilot allocated to the flight had not flown for 32 days; he was therefore required to complete a short flight at Glasgow to regain currency before landing to collect a paramedic for the flight to Campbeltown Airport. Poor weather at Campbeltown Airport necessitated an instrument approach. There was neither radar nor Air Traffic Control Service at the airport, so the pilot was receiving a Flight Information Service from a Flight Information Service Officer in accordance with authorised procedures. After arriving overhead Campbeltown Airport, the aircraft flew outbound on the approach procedure for runway 11 and began a descent. The pilot next transmitted that he had completed the ‘base turn’, indicating that he was inbound to the airport and commencing an approach. The airplane had gradually descended below the minimum altitude With a slight left wing low attitude, the airplane contacted the sea. It broke up after impact and sank. CAUSAL FACTORS: “1. The pilot allowed the aircraft to descend below the minimum altitude for the aircraft’s position on the approach procedure, and this descent probably continued unchecked until the aircraft flew into the sea. 2. A combination of fatigue, workload and lack of recent flying practise probably contributed to the pilot’s reduced performance. 3. The pilot may have been subject to an undetermined influence such as disorientation, distraction, or a subtle incapacitation,which affected pilot’s ability to safely control the aircraft’s flightpath.”

Primary Cause

Pilot error ? insufficient altitude awareness and control during descent, combined with fatigue, workload, and potential disorientation.Pilot error ? insufficient altitude awareness and control during descent, combined with fatigue, workload, and potential disorientation.

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