Piper PA-31-310 Navajo

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Operator:

Ansett General Aviation

Registration:

VH-CIZ

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Adelaide - Moomba

MSN:

31-682

YOM:

1970

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2697

Captain / Total hours on type:

987.00

Aircraft flight hours:

857

Circumstances:

The aircraft departed Adelaide-Parafield Airport on a charter flight to Moomba, carrying seven passengers and a passenger on behalf of Santos Ltd. At the time of the accident, it as owned and operated by Ansett Transport Industries (Operations) Pty Ltd trading as Ansett General Aviation. During initial climb, while flying in clouds at an altitude of 700 feet heading 270°, the twin engine airplane went out of control, entered a left turn and subsequently stuck the ground at high speed in a shallow dive, some 13 miles northeast of Adelaide Airport. The airplane disintegrated on impact and all eight occupants were killed. The accident was not survivable.

Probable cause:

The cause of the accident was that control of the aircraft was lost and recovery was not effected before it struck the ground. The reason for the loss of control and the inability to take effective recovery action has not been determined. Although the aircraft was operating in cloud from a height of about 700 feet after takeoff until it emerged at a height of 300 to 500 feet above the terrain shortly before impact, there is no evidence of any meteorological condition which may have contributed directly to the accident.

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Semarang: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 2, 1972

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Nusantara Air Taxi

Registration:

PK-YBT

Flight Phase:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed on landing at Semarang Airport for unknown reason, killing both occupants.

Crash of a Piper PA-31P Pressurized Navajo in San Diego: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 21, 1972 at 2227 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Navco International

Registration:

N6815L

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

San Diego-Lindbergh Field

Schedule:

San Diego - Santa Ana

MSN:

31-17

YOM:

1967

Location:

California

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2000

Circumstances:

After takeoff from San Diego-Lindbergh Field, while in initial climb, the twin engine airplane banked left then lost height and crashed in flames. All four passengers were injured and both pilots were killed.

Probable cause:

The left engine stopped after liftoff following a crew error. The following factors were reported:
- Spontaneous and improper action on part of the crew (pilot and copilot),
- Improper operation of powerplant,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- One of the pilot inadvertently shut off the left engine magneto switches, causing a loss of control.

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Iuka: 4 killed

Date & Time: Nov 17, 1971 at 1900 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Savannah Aero Service

Registration:

N780JM

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Iuka - Savannah

MSN:

31-120

YOM:

1968

Location:

Iuka

Mississippi

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4000

Circumstances:

Shortly after a night takeoff from Iuka Airfield, the twin engine airplane banked left then crashed in a swampy area. The aircraft was destroyed and all four occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled descent during initial climb. Improper operation of flight controls on part of the pilot-in-command. It is possible that a temporary loss of power occurred. The departure was completed from an unlighted terrain.

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Geneva

Date & Time: Sep 16, 1971

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

HB-LFR

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Geneva - Geneva

MSN:

31-559

YOM:

1969

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was engaged in a local training flight at Geneva-Cointrin Airport. After touchdown on runway 05, the twin engine aircraft went out of control, veered off runway to the right, crossed a taxiway and the apron until it came to rest in a work zone. Both pilots were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

It was determined that during an engine failure exercise, the crew voluntarily shut down an engine during final approach. The cause of the loss of control after touchdown could not be determined. Following this accident, the Federal Office for Civil Aviation (FOCA) decided to ban any engine shutdown in flight, even in the case of a training mission.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Augusta: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 19, 1971 at 2140 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N595DE

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Boston - Augusta

MSN:

31-422

YOM:

1969

Flight number:

DE88

Location:

Augusta

Maine

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3100

Captain / Total hours on type:

625.00

Aircraft flight hours:

2468

Circumstances:

The aircraft departed Boston-Logan at 2028LT bound to Augusta with seven passengers and a pilot on board. At the origin, the flight was scheduled to Rockland but it was not possible to land there due to foggy conditions. The flight was cleared for a VOR approach at 2114LT. At 2127LT, flight 88 reported a missed approach and was cleared for another VOR approach at that time. At 2140LT, the flight reported 'four miles out'. This was the last known transmission made by the flight. The wreckage was located in a heavily wooded area on Allen Hill at approximately the 520 foot level. Allen Hill is a prominent terrain feature which is 640 feet high, located approximately 4 nautical miles from the threshold of runway 17 and eight-tenth of a mile west of the approach radial. The pilot and two passengers were killed, two passengers received serious injuries and three passengers received minor injuries.

Probable cause:

The NTSB determines that the probable cause of this accident was the improper action of the pilot in discontinuing the execution of a non-precision instrument approach and attempting to maintain visual flight while operating in instrument flight conditions at an altitude below the level of obstructing terrain.

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Iowa City

Date & Time: Feb 18, 1971 at 1915 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N8000Y

Flight Phase:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Detroit – Iowa City

Location:

Iowa City

Iowa

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

10025

Captain / Total hours on type:

620.00

Circumstances:

The pilot started the approach to Iowa City Airport by night and marginal weather conditions. Due to poor visibility, he made a go-around and followed a circuit for few minutes before starting a second approach. In half mile visibility with ceiling at 300 feet, he continued the approach and passed below the MDA when the airplane struck the ground and crashed. All four occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Improper IFR operation on part of the pilot, The following factors were reported:
- Electrical failure,
- Low ceiling (300 feet), 0.5 mile visibility, rain,
- The pilot stated that VOR DME fluctuated,
- Right alternator inoperative,
- The pilot descended below the published MDA on second VOR approach.

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Fort Wayne: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 20, 1970 at 1138 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Gerald R. Hamm

Registration:

N6637L

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Positioning

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Charlotte - Fort Wayne

MSN:

31-575

YOM:

1969

Location:

Fort Wayne

Indiana

Country:

Region: