Crash of a Beechcraft B90 King Air in Paducah

Date & Time: Jan 7, 1989 at 1935 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N784K
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Shenandoah - Decatur
MSN:
LJ-427
YOM:
1969
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1061
Captain / Total hours on type:
115.00
Aircraft flight hours:
5293
Circumstances:
During a return flight at night to Decatur, AL, the pilot noted his weather radar was inoperative. He visually avoided thunderstorms (tstms), which had been forecasted. While avoiding tstms, he noted a reduction in engine power, a slight yaw, indications of fuel flow irregularity and that the left and right boost pumps were inoperative. These occurred at about the time, he saw a white arc which he said had jumped from the prop, spinner or nacelle area to the aircraft's nose. Due to the weather, he elected to divert to Paducah. After the airport was in sight, he needed to lose altitude before landing and was cleared to make a 360° turn. While turning, he lost sight of the airport, then rolled out on the wrong heading and started flying toward a strobe light at an industrial complex. When he realized his error and saw the airport, he turned toward the runway; but as he was maneuvering, the aircraft lost altitude, hit trees and crashed. An examination of the engines and fuel pumps revealed no indication of a preimpact failure. No physical evidence of a lightning strike was found, but the nose and engines were badly damaged from impact.
Probable cause:
Pilot failed to maintain proper altitude while maneuvering to land. Probable contributing factors were inoperative weather radar, thunderstorms, lightning, an undetermined electrical problem, dark night, the pilot's improperly planned approach and visual perception, and the trees.
Occurrence #1: in flight encounter with weather
Phase of operation: cruise
Findings
1. (f) flight/nav instruments, weather radar system - inoperative
2. (f) weather condition - thunderstorm
3. (f) weather condition - lightning
4. (f) electrical system - undetermined
5. Fuel system, electric boost pump - inoperative
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with object
Phase of operation: approach
Findings
6. (f) light condition - dark night
7. (f) planned approach - improper - pilot in command
8. (f) visual/aural perception - pilot in command
9. Maneuver - initiated
10. (f) object - tree(s)
11. (c) proper altitude - not maintained - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C90 King Air in Locust Grove: 6 killed

Date & Time: Nov 18, 1988 at 1833 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N308PS
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Orange - Locust Grove
MSN:
LW-92
YOM:
1974
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
2300
Aircraft flight hours:
6964
Circumstances:
Before and during flight, the pilot received info about thunderstorms in the vicinity of the destination airport. During arrival, the pilot was given the Little Rock altimeter setting. He was cleared to descend and cross the NDB (initial approach fix) at or above 3,100 feet msl, then was cleared for the approach. About 7-1/2 minutes later, the pilot declared a missed approach and requested another. He acknowledged clearance for the 2nd approach, then there was no further radio contact with the aircraft. Subsequently, the aircraft hit trees and crashed on high (mtn) terrain about 6-1/2 miles west-southwest of the airport. Impact occurred while the aircraft was on an easterly heading at about 1,195 feet msl. Minimum altitude for the approach was 2,300 feet until established inbound from the NDB, then when using a Little Rock altimeter setting, a minimum altitude of 1,860 feet was required until passing the baiks fan marker, 4.6 miles from the runway. A pilot, who was waiting to depart the airport, estimated there was a variable overcast at 300 feet to 700 feet and the visibility was 1 to 2 miles with rain. The airport elevation was 464 feet. The aircraft was destroyed and all six occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance altitude and exceeding the minimum descent altitude published in the approach procedure.
Occurrence #1: in flight collision with object
Phase of operation: approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
Findings
1. (c) ifr procedure - not followed - pilot in command
2. (f) light condition - dark night
3. (f) weather condition - low ceiling
4. (f) weather condition - fog
5. Weather condition - rain
6. (f) terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
7. Object - tree(s)
8. (c) proper altitude - not maintained - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft B90 King Air in Fort Simpson: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 16, 1988
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
C-GDOM
Survivors:
No
MSN:
LJ-368
YOM:
1968
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
On final approach to Fort Simpson Airport, the twin engine crashed 3 km short of runway, bursting into flames. All three occupants were killed.

Crash of a Beechcraft F90 King Air in São Pedro da Aldeia: 8 killed

Date & Time: Oct 2, 1988
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
PT-LJR
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
LA-93
YOM:
1981
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances, killing all eight occupants.

Crash of a Beechcraft C90 King Air in East Midlands: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 25, 1988 at 2247 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
G-BNAT
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Stansted – East Midlands
MSN:
LJ-614
YOM:
1974
Flight number:
646
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
2900
Captain / Total hours on type:
600.00
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft was completing a cargo flight from Stansted to East Midlands, carrying approximately 800 kilos of various goods. As the aircraft was on approach 1 nm from touchdown, ATC advised that the RVR for landing had reduced to 900 meters and, very soon afterwards, notified a further deterioration to 800 meters. Immediately after this last ATC transmission, the pilot transmitted 'National Six Four Six got to go-around'. Ten seconds later he transmitted 'crashing...National'. The aircraft subsequently struck the ground at a point approximately 350 meters to the right of the runway 09 centerline and 750 meters beyond the threshold. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the the aircraft's weight was 90 kilos above its maximum authorised takeoff weight at Stansted Airport and after allowing for the fuel used on route, it would have arrived at least 160 kilos above its maximum authorised landing weight. Furthermore, the steep angle of impact was suggestive of a dive following a stall.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft F90 King Air in Düsseldorf: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 6, 1987
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
D-IMWH
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Munich - Marl
MSN:
LA-114
YOM:
1981
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
While approaching Marl Airport, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions and decided to divert to Düsseldorf-Lohausen Airport. For unknown reason, the pilot was unable to locate the airport, and while initiating a go-around procedure, he lost control of the aircraft that crashed near the airport. All four occupants were killed.

Crash of a Beechcraft C90 King Air in Beaufort: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 30, 1987 at 0946 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N4463W
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Savannah - Philadelphia
MSN:
LJ-633
YOM:
1974
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
14000
Aircraft flight hours:
2092
Circumstances:
At 0938, while climbing thru 9,000 feet, the pilot was cleared to climb to FL210. Approximately 10 minutes later, the ATC controller noted the aircraft's mode C return wasn't being displayed on his scope. He tried to advise the pilot, but couldn't establish radio contact. The aircraft broke up in flight and the wreckage was found submerged in a creek and on marshland. A large piece of the right outboard wing panel was found about 2 miles east of the main wreckage. The right engine was found approximately 800 feet to 1,200 feet northeast of the main wreckage in 4 feet of water. There was evidence the right outboard wing had failed from upward and aft overload. No pre-accident mechanical failure or malfunction was found that would have resulted in an in-flight break-up. Radar data showed the aircraft was climbing at 115 knots and 1,100 feet/minute; at approximately 16,000 feet msl, rate of climb slowed to approximately 750 feet/minute, then increased to 1,200 feet/minute. Peak altitude was approximately 18,200 feet. Aircraft then entered a steep descent and crashed. At the approximately time and place of peak altitude, primary targets appeared on radar and remained for several minutes. Organic material was found on left engine inlet screen, but source was not determined. Accident occurred along bird flyway. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: airframe/component/system failure/malfunction
Phase of operation: climb
Findings
1. (c) reason for occurrence undetermined
2. Design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded
3. Wing - overload
4. Wing - separation
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Findings
5. Terrain condition - water
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C90 King Air in Skien: 10 killed

Date & Time: Apr 2, 1987 at 1736 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
LN-KCR
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Munich - Hanover - Skien - Oslo
MSN:
LJ-793
YOM:
1978
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Captain / Total flying hours:
1858
Captain / Total hours on type:
331.00
Aircraft flight hours:
3617
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Hanover, the pilot started the approach to Skien-Geiteryggen Airport in marginal weather conditions. After crossing the last cloud layer, the twin engine was approaching runway 01 when, at an altitude of 100 feet, the aircraft banked right to an angle of 60° then nosed down and crashed few km from the runway threshold, bursting into flames. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all 10 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Due to the total destruction of the aircraft by impact forces and fire, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, it is believed that icing conditions encountered from 3,000 to 5,000 feet may have affected the aircraft stability and controllability and thus, may be considered as a contributing factor.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E90 King Air in Saint-Barthélémy: 6 killed

Date & Time: Nov 2, 1986 at 1030 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
F-GBRD
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Paris-Le Bourget – Barcelonnette
MSN:
LW-91
YOM:
1974
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Paris-Le Bourget, the pilot initiated the descent to Barcelonnette-Saint-Pons Airport when the twin engine aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located near Saint-Barthélémy, some 11 km southeast of Barcelonnette Airport. All six occupants were killed.

Crash of a Beechcraft C90 King Air near Jackson: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 16, 1986 at 1500 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N114CM
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Olathe - Jackson
MSN:
LJ-709
YOM:
1977
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
6700
Captain / Total hours on type:
500.00
Aircraft flight hours:
3002
Circumstances:
The pilot departed Olathe, KS, en route to Jackson, WY. The pilot radioed the Denver EFAS and reported his position as 56 miles northwest of Casper, WY. There was no further radio communication with N114CM. The pilot's wife stated after the accident that the pilot had a habit of taking a 'cat nap' when he flew. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent
Findings
1. (c) aircraft handling - improper - pilot in command
2. (c) proper altitude - not maintained - pilot in command
3. (f) inattentive - pilot in command
4. (c) fatigue (lack of sleep) - pilot in command
5. Terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
Final Report: