Crash of a Beechcraft B90 King Air in Burlington

Date & Time: Sep 10, 1983 at 0525 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N400AM
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Denver - Burlington
MSN:
LJ-354
YOM:
1968
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3030
Captain / Total hours on type:
1200.00
Aircraft flight hours:
10540
Circumstances:
During arrival, the pilot checked the lighted windsock and estimated that the wind was from 020° at 10 knots. He elected not to land on runway 31 since there were obstacles near the approach end. He stated that when the aircraft was about to touch down on runway 13, there was a big gust of wind which made the aircraft land long. As the aircraft landed, the pilot selected max reverse, but got no response. He decide he could not make a successful go-around so he applied max braking, but was unable to stop on the remaining runway. Subsequently, the aircraft departed the runway, went thru a fence, crossed a road, hit a pole and then the gear collapsed as it went over railroad tracks. A witness estimated that at about the time the aircraft was landing, the wind shifted to the north and increased to about 35 to 40 mph. Reportedly, the final approach speed was about 13 knots too fast. Skid marks were found on the runway, starting about 2,000 feet from the approach end. With a 35 knots tailwind, landing roll without reverse thrust would have been 3,015 feet. No malfunctions found, but it was noted that reverse system was inoperative above 90 knots. All three occupants escaped uninjured.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: overrun
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
1. (f) light condition - dark night
2. (f) terrain condition - high obstruction(s)
3. (f) weather condition - unfavorable wind
4. (f) weather condition - tailwind
5. (f) weather condition - gusts
6. (c) distance - misjudged - pilot in command
7. (c) airspeed - misjudged - pilot in command
8. (c) go-around - not performed - pilot in command
9. Thrust reverser - inoperative
10. (f) airspeed - excessive - pilot in command
11. (f) terrain condition - high obstruction(s)
12. Aborted landing - not possible - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: gear collapsed
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
13. (f) object - fence
14. (f) object - utility pole
----------
Occurrence #3: gear collapsed
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
15. (f) terrain condition - rough/uneven
16. Landing gear - overload
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 90 King Air near Chiguará: 4 killed

Date & Time: Apr 14, 1983
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
YV-706P
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
La Carlota - Mérida
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed La Carlota-Francisco de Miranda AFB at 1430LT on a flight to Mérida, carrying two passengers and two crew (one civilian and three military personnel) on behalf of the Servicio de Transporte de la Guardia Nacional. While descending to Mérida, the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located near Chiguará, about 40 km west of Mérida Airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all four occupants were killed.

Crash of a Beechcraft B90 King Air 90 near Charlotte: 7 killed

Date & Time: May 5, 1982 at 1519 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N98949
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Laredo - San Antonio
MSN:
LJ-407
YOM:
1968
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Captain / Total flying hours:
7385
Captain / Total hours on type:
35.00
Aircraft flight hours:
2915
Circumstances:
The pilot and 6 passengers were returning home after fishing in Mexico. After clearing customs at Laredo, TX, they departed on the next leg of the flight. The pilot was cleared to 11,000 ft, but got off course. He commented that an instrument had popped, he then requested 7,000 ft, but due to other traffic, his request was delayed. While still at 5,000 ft, he stated, "hey, i'm in the middle of the top of this stuff." Approximately 7 minutes after being cleared to 7,000 ft, controllers noted that the aircraft began descending. They attempted to call the pilot, but were unable. An investigation revealed the aircraft had crashed after the outer wing panels and the empennage had separated. The exact sequence of the in-flight break-up was not determined. Radar info indicated the aircraft had entered several vertical oscillations of several hundred feet before descending. An examination of the fracture surfaces revealed only overload failure. Other pilots reported clouds between 3,000 & 6,500 feet with only light turbulences. The aircraft was estimated to be approximately 65 lbs over the max gross weight limit and loaded near the aft CofG. All seven occupants were killed in the accident.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
1. Aircraft weight and balance - exceeded - pilot in command
2. (f) weather condition - clouds
3. (f) weather condition - turbulence in clouds
4. (c) reason for occurrence undetermined
----------
Occurrence #2: airframe/component/system failure/malfunction
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Findings
5. (c) design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded
6. Wing,spar - overload
7. Wing,spar - separation
8. Horizontal stabilizer surface - overload
9. Horizontal stabilizer surface - separation
10. Vertical stabilizer surface - overload
11. Vertical stabilizer surface - separation
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C90 King Air off Azores Islands

Date & Time: Mar 10, 1982
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N6272C
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
LJ-1025
YOM:
1982
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was forced to ditch the aircraft off the Azores Islands following in-flight technical problems. The pilot was rescued while the airplane sank and was lost.

Crash of a Beechcraft E90 King Air in Mineral Wells: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 26, 1981 at 1431 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N114K
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Mineral Wells - Shreveport
MSN:
LW-122
YOM:
1975
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
8500
Captain / Total hours on type:
1500.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Mineral Wells, while in initial climb, the airplane banked left, lost altitude and crashed in a field, bursting into flames. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Airframe failure during initial climb after the left wing detached. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Poor/inadequate design on part of the production-design personnel,
- Rules, regulations, standards personnel,
- Airframe - wings: attachment fittings, bolts,
- Fatigue fracture,
- Corrosion,
- Wing separation in flight,
- Lack of company or FAA requirement for adequate inspection procedures,
- Corrosion cracks found on left wing lower attachment bolt.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E90 King Air in Monterrey: 3 killed

Date & Time: Mar 2, 1981
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
XB-IQY
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
LW-113
YOM:
1974
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Monterrey-General Mariano Escobido Airport, while in initial climb, the twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed about 3 km north of the airfield. One occupant was seriously injured while three others were killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of an engine failure for undermined reasons.

Crash of a Beechcraft E90 King Air off Michigan City: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 7, 1980 at 1647 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N2181L
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Chicago - Michigan City
MSN:
LW-181
YOM:
1976
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
8700
Captain / Total hours on type:
1132.00
Circumstances:
While approaching Michigan City on a taxi flight from Chicago, the twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed into Lake Michigan few miles off shore. The aircraft was destroyed and all four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control on final approach due to inadequate maintenance and inspection. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Flight control surfaces: elevator assembly, attachments,
- Binding,
- Loose, part/fitting, missing
- Improper IFR operation,
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Visibility half a mile or less,
- Pivot bolt, P/N AN4-23A found on floor of fuselage,
- Washer and nut missing,
- Destination altimeter setting not obtained.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C90 King Air in Salamanca

Date & Time: Oct 1, 1980
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
EC-CHB
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
LJ-623
YOM:
1974
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances at Salamanca-Matacán AFB while completing a local training mission. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Beechcraft E90 King Air off Kotzebue

Date & Time: Aug 25, 1980 at 1204 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N908CM
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Barrow - Kotzebue
MSN:
LW-233
YOM:
1977
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
9430
Captain / Total hours on type:
553.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Kotzebue-Ralph Wien Memorial Airport in good weather conditions, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was too low. The twin engine airplane struck the water surface and crashed short of runway threshold. All six occupants were rescued.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with water during initial approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot misjudged altitude and clearance,
- The aircraft came to rest in water,
- The pilot descended below minimum IFR altitude to VFR conditions, 400 feet cig, over water approach,
- Hit water while keeping landing in sight.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E90 King Air off New York: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 10, 1980 at 2303 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N4GN
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Fort Lauderdale - New York
MSN:
LW-38
YOM:
1973
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
1750
Captain / Total hours on type:
225.00
Circumstances:
The pilot started the approach to New York-LaGuardia Airport by night and poor weather conditions due to a low ceiling, rain falls and thunderstorm activity. He initiated a go-around and started a second approach few minutes later. On final, the twin engine airplane crashed in the East River few hundred yards offshore. The aircraft was lost and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Control collision with water during a missed approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Airways facilities personnel: inadequately maintained approach facilities,
- Airport facilities: instrument landing system,
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Thunderstorm activity,
- Hail,
- LOC alignment out of tolerance.
Final Report: