Twin-Engine Aircraft Crash in Honduras (HR-AUQ)

Flight Details and Accident Sequence The twin-engine aircraft departed San Pedro Sula-Ramon Villeda Morales Airport at 0704 local time on a 40-minute flight to Tegucigalpa. The aircraft was carrying 12 passengers and two pilots. After being cleared to descend to 9,000 feet for an approach to runway 20, the crew informed air traffic control that they were initiating a go-around procedure for unknown reasons. A few minutes later, the aircraft was cleared for an approach to runway 02. During the approach in marginal weather conditions, with the aircraft in a full flaps down configuration, it stalled and crashed in a wooded area located 12 km from the airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces, and all 14 occupants were killed. ## Official Findings The investigation identified several contributing factors. Weather conditions during the approach to the runway meant the aircraft was operated slightly above the stall speed, and a major change in wind speed could cause a stall. The altitude at which windshear occurred, the reaction time of the pilot, and the responsiveness of the aircraft determined whether the descent could be arrested in time to avoid an accident. No published descent procedures were performed, possibly due to misinterpretation of flight instruments, including the altimeter and airspeed indicator. During the descent to the VOR/DME for runway 20 and 02, the pilot in command did not check the approach chart and did not continually consult the first officer on altitude and course. There was no adequate communication between the crew, indicating deficient crew resource management, as no approach briefing was made for either of the two approaches. The aircraft was configured for landing with flaps fully down (flap 42) at a very long distance from the track without having it in sight. The investigation noted that the aircraft would not respond to an adverse windshear condition as it appeared at that time with such a configuration. It was also noted that in both approaches, it is mandatory to perform a circling procedure.