2 fatalities

2008-04-03: Cessna 406 Caravan (5H-AWK) — Auric Air — Mwanza, Tanzania

Mwanza, TanzaniaTakeoff (climb)

On April 3, 2008, a Cessna 406 Caravan (registration 5H-AWK) operated by Auric Air was involved in an aviation accident near Mwanza, Tanzania during takeoff. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The instructor reduced power on the right engine to simulate a failure, causing the aircraft to roll right. The pilot under supervision reacted poorly, and insufficient altitude prevented recovery. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781197541Data APIEditorial standards

A twin-engine aircraft conducting local training maneuvers crashed shortly after takeoff from Mwanza, killing both pilots. The instructor had simulated an engine failure, leading to a loss of control.

Accident

On an unspecified date, a twin-engine aircraft departed from Mwanza for a local training flight involving approaches and touch-and-go maneuvers. The crew consisted of one instructor and one pilot under supervision. Shortly after takeoff from runway 12, while climbing through 800 feet, the aircraft rolled to the right, entered a right turn, and descended uncontrollably. It struck the top of a small hill located 890 meters from the threshold of runway 30. The aircraft was totally destroyed, and both pilots—a British instructor and an Australian citizen under training—were killed.

Probable Cause

According to the official investigation, the crew was scheduled to perform several touch-and-go maneuvers. The instructor intended to simulate an engine failure. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft rolled to the right while the right engine was operating at low revolutions per minute (RPM), likely due to the instructor reducing power on that engine. The pilot under supervision reacted poorly, and insufficient altitude prevented recovery, causing the aircraft to lose altitude and crash. Additionally, air traffic control had instructed the crew to initiate a left turn during initial climb, but the power reduction on the right engine caused the aircraft to bank and turn right instead, leading to the uncontrolled descent. A wind from 090 degrees gusting to 18 knots was a contributing factor, as it exacerbated the roll to the right.