Executive/Corporate/Business

Aircraft took off in clear weather but below-freezing temperatures with heavy frost on aircraft surfaces. No preflight, run-up or warm-up performed. On initial climb, left engine power loss occurred for undetermined reason, but probably associated with temp/cold engine operation. Pilot turned into dead engine in apparent course reversal, failed to feather propeller and lowered landing gear during turn. Aircraft stalled, rolled inverted and crashed into residential area. Engine teardown revealed no mechanical defects. Post-mortem and toxicological tests revealed no physiological impairment. All three occupants were killed.

After he received the last weather bulletin for Klagenfurt Airport, the pilot was cleared to start the approach to runway 29. Few seconds later, the pilot informed ATC that he lost the signal from the KLU NDB. The signal was again received by the airplane few seconds later and the pilot continued the approach with a rate of descent of 1,000 feet per minute. At an altitude of 5,100 feet, the pilot made a turn to the left in clouds when the aircraft struck the west slope of Mt Kleinobir located about 16 km southeast of Klagenfurt Airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and both occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, the visibility was nil due to clouds and the pilot was descengin under IFR mode.

During final approach the pilot noticed aircraft flying 'unusual' and elected go-around. During power-up, the aircraft lost power and a forced landing was made on a residential street near the airport. The pilot stated that he had inadvertently placed the fuel selector in crossfeed and had exhausted the fuel supply in the right wing by feeding both engines. There were no reported mechanical problems prior to the accident.

During arrival, the pilot advised ARTCC that the destination airport appeared to be covered with fog. She then canceled her IFR flight plan. According to ground witnesses, the aircraft made several passes over the airport. Witnesses also reported that the horizontal visibility was nil, but they could see blue sky directly above. During the last pass, the aircraft crossed over the approach end of the runway with the gear and flaps extended, angling to the left of the runway heading. Moments later, witnesses heard the engines go to full power, then silence followed. The aircraft was found where it impacted rising snow covered terrain approximately 1/8 mile south of the midpoint of the airport. There was evidence that the aircraft was in a steep descending, right wing low attitude when it crashed. No preimpact part failure/malfunction was found. A passenger was seriously injured while five other occupants were killed.

The pilot initiated an ILS approach in below minimum weather conditions shortly after night fall. He was given a low altitude alert, but continued the approach. He announced a missed approach, and indicated problems climbing to altitude. He then declared an unspecified emergency, and requested vectors to a larger airport, in spite of worsening weather conditions. He reached an altitude of 2,100 feet, but commenced another ILS approach despite previous difficulties. Radar data indicates excessive maneuvering to intercept the inbound course, with wide variations in ground speed and altitude. Following a steep climb at a low groundspeed, the aircraft disappeared below radar coverage. Witnesses indicated irregular engine sounds as the aircraft made a tight level turn at low altitude prior to impacting trees in a near level attitude. On-scene evidence shows power was being produced from both engines upon impact. Post-impact fire consumed the wreckage. Both occupants were killed.

While cruising in bad weather conditions, the crew failed to follow the minimum safe altitude when the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Zhaksy-Zhangyztau (729 meters high). The occupant's fate remain unknown.

At 1708:48, while cruising at 6,000 feet, a pilot of N711Y advised ATC, 'I think I'd like to turn around, head for Texarkana here, I've got a little problem.' He was provided a vector and advised of closest airports. Shortly after, he stated he would be unable to reach the airports. At 1711:49, he said there was smoke in the cockpit. While landing in a field at 1714, the aircraft hit wires and a pole then continued into trees where it was extensively damaged by impact and fire. The crew egressed thru the cockpit windows. The passengers did not escape. During flight, the crew was unable to start the cabin heater; despite repeated attempts by the captain. Smoke then entered the cabin. Fresh air vents and cockpit windows were opened, but smoke became dense. The crew had difficulty seeing. The oxygen system and hand held fire extinguishers were not used. Fasteners for the heater door were found unfastened. Examination indicated the fire originated in the aft cabin area, right hand side, at or near the floor line. The ignition and fuel sources were not determined. Among those killed were the American singer and actor Ricky Nelson and his girlfriend Helen Blair as well as five members of his band 'Stone Canyon'.

After takeoff from Geneva-Cointrin Airport runway 23 in poor visibility due to foggy conditions, the pilot initiated a right turn. While flying at an altitude of 100 feet, the twin engine aircraft struck the concrete block of a lift cable system located on the roof of a residential building of seven floors located in the city of Meyrin. Out of control, the aircraft lost height and crashed on a second building located less than 2 km west of the airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all three occupants were killed. Both buildings were damaged and 51 vehicles in few parkings were damaged or demolished.

The aircraft impacted trees during a VOR approach and descended to ground impact. The pilot flew the approach with the autopilot coupled. The altitude hold and alert were set for the MDA. When visual contact with the airport environment was established, the pilot disconnected the altitude hold and began lowering full flaps. At this time the electric trim pitched the nose of the aircraft down and the aircraft impacted trees. Both occupants escaped unhurt.

The aircraft rolled to the right and crashed after a catastrophic (uncontained) failure of the right engine during takeoff for a night flight. The right engine fan rotor disc separated from the hub which damaged the cowling and some disc fragments buried in the fuselage but without damage to the flight controls. The drag created by the loss of thrust and the distorted cowling led to yaw and roll with loss of control of the aircraft. The fan failure propagated from a low grade fatigue crack on the high time fan which was not detected by the visual inspection procedures existing at the time. The manufacturer has since improved the manufacturing and inspection techniques. An AD 86-04-02 was issued on 2/14/86 which deals with fan removal from service according to an operating cycle schedule.