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Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 690 in Palmyra: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 5, 2024 at 0900 LT
Registration:
N690BM
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Manassas - Georgetown
MSN:
690-11311
YOM:
1976
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
After departure from Manassas-Harry P. Davis Field Airport, Virginia, the twin engine airplane continued to the southwest, bound for Georgetown, South Carolina. While cruising at an altitude of 20,000 feet and approaching an area of marginal weather conditions, the pilot apparently elected to modify his route when the airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a wooded area located in Palmyra. Both occupants were killed.

Crash of a Piper PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage in Statesville

Date & Time: Aug 1, 2014 at 2100 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N472ST
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Manassas – Statesville
MSN:
46-36472
YOM:
2010
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2556
Captain / Total hours on type:
1200.00
Aircraft flight hours:
1656
Circumstances:
According to the pilot, she was flying an instrument landing system approach when she noted that the glide slope was out of service. She transitioned to a localizer-only approach and continued. Night, instrument meteorological conditions prevailed with a 400-foot ceiling. She noticed that the airplane was "high and fast" on final approach, so she used speed brakes and flaps to slow the airplane and descend to the minimum descent altitude. As the airplane descended below the ceiling, she observed runway lights and attempted to land on the runway. The airplane landed long, departed the runway at the departure end, and struck an embankment before coming to rest. An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration examined the airplane and confirmed substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and empennage. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable cause:
The pilot's failure to maintain a proper glide path and airspeed on final approach, which resulted in a long landing and runway excursion.
Final Report:

Crash of a Dornier DO328Jet in Manassas

Date & Time: Jun 3, 2006 at 0719 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N328PD
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Manassas - Myrtle Beach
MSN:
3105
YOM:
2000
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
15615
Captain / Total hours on type:
2523.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
819
Copilot / Total hours on type:
141
Aircraft flight hours:
2830
Circumstances:
Prior to departure on the maintenance repositioning flight, the captain discussed with the first officer an uneven fuel balance that they could "fix" once airborne, and a 25,000 feet msl restriction because of an inoperative air conditioning/pressurization pack. The captain also commented about the right pack "misbehaving", and a bleed valve failure warning. The captain also commented about aborting below 80 knots for everything, except for the bleed shutoff valve. During the takeoff roll, a single chime was heard, and the first officer reported a bleed valve fail message. The captain responded, "ignore it." Another chime was heard, and the first officer reported "lateral mode fail, pusher fail." The captain asked about airspeed and was advised of an "indicated airspeed miscompare." The captain initiated the aborted takeoff approximately 13 seconds after the second chime was heard. The crew was unable to stop the airplane, and it went off the end of the runway, and impacted obstructions and terrain. According to the flight data recorder, peak groundspeed was 152 knots and the time the aborted takeoff was initiated, and indicated airspeed was 78.5 knots. The captain and the airplane owner's director of maintenance were aware of several mechanical discrepancies prior to the flight, and the captain had advised the first officer that the flight was for "routine maintenance," but that the airplane was airworthy. Prior to the flight the first officer found "reddish clay" in one of the pitot tubes and removed it. A mechanic and the captain examined the pitot tube, and determined the tube was not obstructed. The captain's pitot tube was later found to be partially blocked with an insect nest. A postaccident examination of the airplane and aircraft maintenance log revealed that no discrepancies were entered in the log, and no placards or "inoperative" decals were affixed in the cockpit.
Probable cause:
The partially blocked pitot system, which resulted in an inaccurate airspeed indicator display, and an overrun during an aborted takeoff. A factor associated with the accident was the pilot-in-command's delayed decision to abort the takeoff.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft A60 Duke in Manassas: 5 killed

Date & Time: Mar 11, 1989 at 1615 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N98DS
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Manassas – Wilmington
MSN:
P-227
YOM:
1973
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
25130
Aircraft flight hours:
1775
Circumstances:
Witnesses reported the aircraft took off and climbed to about 300 feet while in a wide left turn. According to witnesses, the wings were rocking and erratic engine sounds were noted. The aircraft was turning downwind when it abruptly pitched down, rolled left until inverted, descended and crash. Examination of the aircraft revealed no evidence of malfunction, although the left prop had less rotational damage than the right prop. Examination of aircraft records revealed the aircraft was inactive for about 9 years until it was returned to service less than a year before the accident. The aircraft accumulated about 17 hours since it was returned to service. The pilot stated to a witness before the accident that he had not done single engine operation in the aircraft. The aircraft was overloaded more than 200 lbs. All five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
A loss of aircraft control due to the pilot's failure to maintain minimum engine control speed after a partial loss of power of the left engine for undetermined reasons. The pilot's inexperience in type of aircraft and an over maximum gross weight aircraft were contributing factors.
Final Report: