Cargo aircraft crash during visual approach

No fatalities • Grain Valley, United States of America • Landing (descent or approach)

A cargo flight crashed into a fence and terrain while on short final approach, following a period of significant crew fatigue.

What happened

During a visual approach to runway 27, a cargo airplane struck a fence and the ground while on short final. The aircraft was being operated by a commercial operator under 14 CFR Part 135. The flight was part of a mission to collect repair components for another aircraft that had sustained minor damage earlier that day.

In the 24 hours preceding the accident, the flight crew had completed approximately 18.75 hours of flight operations for company business. This workload included both Part 91 and Part 135 operations. The crew had not slept during any of the stops made during this period. The captain reported feeling tired and noted that while the company provides options for overnight stays, he had previously only utilized them for maintenance-related issues.

Findings

Investigations into the accident highlighted the extreme workload of the crew members. The flight crew had been active for nearly 19 hours within a single day. Acute fatigue was a significant factor, as the captain explicitly stated he was tired and that neither the pilot nor the first officer had rested during their recent stops. The mission was part of a larger itinerary that would have required an additional 2 hours and 45 minutes of flying to return to the operator's home base.

Probable cause

The crew's extreme fatigue resulting from nearly 19 hours of flight duty within a 24-hour period.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2006-08-17 Swearingen SA227 Metro III accident near Grain Valley, United States of America?

A cargo flight crashed into a fence and terrain while on short final approach, following a period of significant crew fatigue.

Were there any fatalities in the 2006-08-17 Swearingen SA227 Metro III accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2006-08-17 involved a Swearingen SA227 Metro III, registration N620PA, operated by Sierra West Airlines, at Grain Valley, United States of America.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The crew's extreme fatigue resulting from nearly 19 hours of flight duty within a 24-hour period.

Loading the flight search…