Country
Crash of a Beechcraft C90 King Air in Munson: 2 killed
Date & Time:
Jun 25, 1999 at 1014 LT
Registration:
N3019W
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Zephyrhills – Mobile
MSN:
LJ-639
YOM:
1974
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Aircraft flight hours:
3965
Circumstances:
The pilot received a preflight weather briefing and was advised of thunderstorms with tops to 45,000 feet along a portion of the route of flight. En route, the pilot was advised of significant areas of heavy precipitation to which the pilot responded, 'uh roger one nine whiskey it looks like on our radar here that uh we go straight ahead we'll be all right there.' The flight was cleared to descend to 11,000 feet and the pilot requested deviation to the right for weather avoidance. The pilot made several routine radio communications while descending at a calculated average rate of descent of approximately 2,571 fpm before encountering adverse weather. During this time while descending, the calculated calibrated airspeed increased from approximately 190 knots to approximately 265 knots (the design dive speed Vd). The flight encountered a level 5 weather echo then began a high rate of descent. Both horizontal stabilizers with elevators and both outer portions of both wings failed in a down direction. Examination of the flight control cables, fracture surfaces of the wings and horizontal stabilizers, engines, and propellers revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. The pilot did not request pilot reports. The design maneuvering speed of the airplane is 169 knots indicated; the POH indicates to slow to this speed for turbulence penetration.
Probable cause:
The poor in-flight weather evaluation by the pilot-in-command and his operation of the airplane at an indicated airspeed greater than the design maneuvering speed (Va) in a thunderstorm contrary to the pilot's operating handbook resulting in an in-flight breakup. A contributing factor in the accident was the failure of the pilot to obtain in-flight weather advisories with any air traffic control facility before encountering the adverse weather.
Final Report:
Crash of a Beechcraft B90 King Air off Dillingham: 1 killed
Date & Time:
May 22, 1999 at 1930 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N301DK
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Dillingham - Dillingham
MSN:
LJ-372
YOM:
1968
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Following the 12th sport parachute jump of the day, which occurred after sunset, ground witnesses observed the airplane descend into the ocean in a left wing low, nose down attitude. They did not hear the engines sputtering or popping, or see the airplane make any erratic movements during its descent. Skydivers indicated that the two previous flights had been conducted at altitudes of at least 18,000 feet, and the accident flight and subsequent jump were made at 20,000 feet. During this final jump flight, one of the skydivers stated he had a hard time breathing and felt nauseous. The skydivers also noted that the pilot was unable to maintain a steady course and did not respond well to minor course corrections. No supplemental oxygen was found onboard the airplane during the recovery or subsequent inspection phases of the investigation. No skydiver observed the pilot using supplemental oxygen. The airplane manufacturer noted that the pressurization system would have been rendered inoperable due to a non-sealed cockpit door. Hypoxia is defined as a physiological condition where a person is bereft of needed oxygen. Judgment is poor and reaction time delayed. Total incapacitation coupled with a loss of consciousness can occur with little or no warning. The airframe, engines, and propellers were examined with no preexisting impact anomalies found.
Probable cause:
The pilot's incapacitation due to the effects of hypoxia from repeated flights to altitudes above 18,000 feet msl without supplemental oxygen.
Final Report:
Crash of a Beechcraft A90 King Air in Franca: 2 killed
Date & Time:
Mar 23, 1999 at 1910 LT
Registration:
PT-OUL
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Franca – Ribeirão Preto
MSN:
LJ-125
YOM:
1966
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total hours on type:
650.00
Circumstances:
Less than a minute after takeoff from Franca Airport, while climbing in poor weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft nosed down and crashed in a huge explosion about 1,500 metres past the runway end. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were killed. They were completing a cargo flight to Ribeirão Preto, carrying documents on behalf of Banco do Brasil.
Probable cause:
The following findings were identified:
- The crew was in a hurry to take off in order to avoid poor weather approaching the airport,
- The crew took off from an intersection with a taxiway,
- Immediately after takeoff, the aircraft entered clouds,
- Approximately one minute after liftoff, the aircraft impacted ground,
- After the first impact, the aircraft flew for another 200 metres and again collided with the ground and exploded,
- The aircraft was totally destroyed by a post crash fire,
- The pilot had a hearing problem that was stabilized and was being researched by HASP. Considering the relationship between ear and ear balance, spatial disorientation in the pilot in
in the face of the adverse conditions it experienced: flight conditions by instruments associated with “windshear”. Since the search could not be completed above mentioned, this aspect remains undetermined,
- Individual characteristics contributed due to the habits acquired by the pilot and his eventual practice of taking off from the taxiway, delaying the point from which the aircraft would achieve the best characteristics flight performance,
- Poor weather conditions with CB's, sudden changes in wind, strong turbulence and rain, were conducive to the emergence of the phenomenon of “Windshear”, representing a real risk to the operation of any aircraft, being that voluntary entry or not, in this type of training, results almost always in the loss of control of the aircraft with unforeseeable consequences. The crew faced these conditions when the aircraft took off,
- It was evident from the witness statements that the pilot was in a hurry to take off, in addition to having used runway 23 from the intersection and towards the sector most affected by poor weather.
- The crew was in a hurry to take off in order to avoid poor weather approaching the airport,
- The crew took off from an intersection with a taxiway,
- Immediately after takeoff, the aircraft entered clouds,
- Approximately one minute after liftoff, the aircraft impacted ground,
- After the first impact, the aircraft flew for another 200 metres and again collided with the ground and exploded,
- The aircraft was totally destroyed by a post crash fire,
- The pilot had a hearing problem that was stabilized and was being researched by HASP. Considering the relationship between ear and ear balance, spatial disorientation in the pilot in
in the face of the adverse conditions it experienced: flight conditions by instruments associated with “windshear”. Since the search could not be completed above mentioned, this aspect remains undetermined,
- Individual characteristics contributed due to the habits acquired by the pilot and his eventual practice of taking off from the taxiway, delaying the point from which the aircraft would achieve the best characteristics flight performance,
- Poor weather conditions with CB's, sudden changes in wind, strong turbulence and rain, were conducive to the emergence of the phenomenon of “Windshear”, representing a real risk to the operation of any aircraft, being that voluntary entry or not, in this type of training, results almost always in the loss of control of the aircraft with unforeseeable consequences. The crew faced these conditions when the aircraft took off,
- It was evident from the witness statements that the pilot was in a hurry to take off, in addition to having used runway 23 from the intersection and towards the sector most affected by poor weather.
Final Report:
Crash of a Beechcraft 65-A90 King Air off Port-de-Paix
Date & Time:
Nov 29, 1998 at 0815 LT
Registration:
N171TE
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
North Perry – Cap Haïtien
MSN:
LJ-180
YOM:
1966
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
10119
Circumstances:
According to the pilot, during pre-flight examination of the airplane performed the evening prior to the flight, the fuel gauges read 'around' 3/4 full. Visual examination of the tanks by the pilot revealed the tanks were not full but he believed the quantity was more than adequate to conduct his flight. While at 17000 feet MSL and approximately 60 miles from his destination, both the left engine and right engine suffered fuel exhaustion. After declaring an emergency, the pilot ditched the airplane in the Atlantic Ocean about ten miles off the coast of Isle De La Tortue, Haiti. The pilot received minor injuries and was rescued by the United States Coast Guard at 1730 the same day. Based on data obtained from the Raytheon Aircraft Company and 3/4 full fuel tanks, the total available flight time for this flight was approximately 4.00 hours. The actual flight time for this flight was 3.25 hours.
Probable cause:
Inadequate preflight planning/preparation by the pilot, which resulted in fuel exhaustion due to an inadequate supply of fuel. A factor was the terrain ( water).
Final Report:
