Executive/Corporate/Business

The pilot stated that shortly after departure the cockpit filled with smoke. While returning for landing his visibility was reduced due to the smoke and ground fog. On landing roll the the aircraft ran off the left side of the runway, went through a cow fence and came to rest against a tree. A post crash fire erupted in the left wing area where a fence post punctured the wing and the aircraft was destroyed by the fire. The cause of the smoke in the cockpit could not be determined. The pilot, sole on board, escaped with minor injuries.

While in cruise flight, the pilot noted that the left engine began losing power and oil pressure. He stated that he then shut down the engine and feathered the propeller. He declared an emergency and descended to land. While on final approach, he lowered the landing gear and selected full flaps to slow the aircraft. He stated the airspeed decayed and the aircraft began to roll and yaw to the left. Subsequently, it contacted the ground in a left wing low attitude, then partially cartwheeled before coming to rest. A post accident examination of the left engine revealed that a turbocharger oil seal had deteriorated & failed, allowing oil to escape through the turbocharger exhaust. There was evidence of the beginning of progressive failure of the turbocharger. Also, there were indications that the left propeller was not fully feathered and that it was windmilling at impact. The pilot believed that he may have moved the left prop control out of the feather position by mistake. Both occupants were slightly injured.

Following an uneventful flight, the crew started the approach to Pietersburg-Gateway Airport. On descent, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and the visibility was limited. Due to excessive workload in the cockpit, the crew failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when, at an altitude of 5,200 feet, the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located near Haenertsburg, about 55 km east of Pietersburg Airport. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all four occupants were killed.

Crashed in unknown circumstances 13 km from Mclean’s Town Cay. There were no casualties.

While en route, the pilot was cleared to deviate 20° left of course to avoid thunderstorm activity that ARTCC radar showed was right of course. The pilot reported turbulences, but demurred descending to a lower altitude despite a pirep of clear weather below. He then reported 'in a cell' with turbulences. Radar and radio contact with the aircraft were lost. Another pilot, who flew approximately 15 miles further south, reported no weather, but said there was extreme weather to the north with near constant lightning. Subsequently, N340MV impacted the ground in a steep nose-down, left wing low attitude, after a 14,000 feet descent. The landing gear was extended when the plane crashed. An exam of the wreckage revealed no preimpact structural failure or aircraft component malfunction. Also, the wreckage showed no evidence of weather damage from hail or lightning. However, weather info showed there was high altitude thunderstorm activity with turbulences in the area at the time of the mishap. Both occupants were killed.

At 2232 edt, the aircraft was climbing to 15,000 feet when the pilot reported a low oil pressure light. ATC advised Jimmy Stewart Field is about eleven thirty and 15 miles. After the pilot asked, 'is that a Tower Field?', ATC advised he did not know, Westmoreland County is at two o'clock and about 15 miles, turn right 180°, descend and maintain 4,000 feet. At 2233 edt, ATC said that they believe Westmoreland County Tower is closed down. The pilot said that he was thinking of where he should go and ATC advised Pittsburgh's 35 miles away if you can make that. At 2234:35 edt, the aircraft was returning to Pittsburgh when the pilot reported zero oil pressure and an oil light. At 2237:27 edt, the pilot reported an emergency. Flight was cleared to Allegheny County Airport and advised Monroeville Airport 230 heading and 5 miles. The aircraft crashed at 2247 edt. The investigation showed a loose flange nut on left turbocharger feed line finger tight. Test produced a steady leak. At site oil covered bottom of fuselage and empennage. Two passengers were killed while two other occupants were injured.

The Lear 55 taxied out for takeoff and inadvertently attempted a takeoff on the wrong runway. When he realized his mistake, he aborted the takeoff because he knew the runway length was significantly less than his required field length. Insufficient runway also remained for the aborted takeoff and the aircraft ran off the end of the runway and hit a stone wall. The aircraft was destroyed by fire and the copilot received minor injuries while the pilot and the passenger were not injured.

After dropping company executives off at Medford, the pilot was to return to Santa Rosa empty. Witnesses along the 25 nm valley which ends at the accident site reported that the aircraft buzzed their locations at agl altitudes variously described as '10 feet' and 'so low you could count the rivets.' US forest services personnel near the accident site reported that the aircraft flew over their position 'just above the trees' following the slope of the mountain upward. The accident site is on a popular hiking trail the pilot's girlfriend reportedly said she would like to visit. On site examination revealed that the aircraft first contacted the upper 5 feet of the treetops in a climb attitude. No preimpact failures of the acft were identified. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

While cruising in marginal weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft struck the slope of Mt Caladang. All four occupants were killed.

Before takeoff from Roskilde Airport, the pilot received a weather briefing and was informed about the presence of thunderstorm activity over Denmark. All four passengers, two Directors of the Company and their wifes, were flying to London to go to an Opera. About 15 minutes into the flight, the twin engine aircraft went through clouds when it encountered severe turbulences. One of the wing tip tank detached and out of control, the aircraft entered a dive and crashed in the Great Belt off Kalundborg. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were killed.