Executive/Corporate/Business

Flight Type:

Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

San Miguel de Tucumán – Salta

MSN:

257133

YOM:

1981

Location:

Salta

Country:

Argentina

Region:

South America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

On approach to Salta-Martin Miguel de Güemes Airport, the crew encountered stormy weather. In limited visibility, they failed to realize their altitude was insufficient when the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain and crashed few km from the airport. All seven occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, the visibility dropped below minimums.

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II in Johnson City: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 2, 1985 at 1646 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Bradley Machine Company

Registration:

N5407J

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Johnson City - Toledo

MSN:

421B-0955

YOM:

1975

Location:

Johnson City

New York

Country:

Region:

Rockwell Turbo Commander 680/681

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1350

Captain / Total hours on type:

780.00

Aircraft flight hours:

1930

Circumstances:

After a heavy snow shower passed over the airport, the accident aircraft attempted a departure. Immediately after takeoff the pilot transmitted that he was coming back to land. The aircraft crashed shortly thereafter, one mile southwest of the airport. Ground witnesses observed the aircraft use nearly all of the 4,999 feet runway and gradually descend out of sight prior to the crash. A Cessna Conquest had departed the same runway moments prior to the accident aircraft and experienced directional control problems due to slush on the runway and airframe icing on their aircraft. Both pilots were killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: on ground/water encounter with weather
Phase of operation: taxi - to takeoff
Findings
1. (f) weather condition - snow
2. (f) weather condition - temperature extremes
----------
Occurrence #2: on ground/water encounter with weather
Phase of operation: takeoff - roll/run
Findings
3. (f) airport facilities, runway/landing area condition - slush covered
4. (f) ice/frost removal from aircraft - not performed - pilot in command
5. (c) overconfidence in aircraft's ability - pilot in command
6. (c) aborted takeoff - not performed - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
7. Planning/decision - improper - pilot in command
8. (c) overconfidence in aircraft's ability - pilot in command

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Turbo Commander 681B in Calhan: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 28, 1985 at 1930 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Riviera Drilling & Exploration Company

Registration:

N772CB

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Van Nuys - Denver

MSN:

681-6050

YOM:

1970

Location:

Calhan

Colorado

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

411

Captain / Total hours on type:

376.00

Aircraft flight hours:

4500

Circumstances:

During a cross country flight from WI to CA and return, the non instrument, low experienced private pilot, flew into IMC conditions. The aircraft impacted flat snow-covered ground, destroying the aircraft and fatally injuring his passenger. Examination of wreckage revealed no evidence of pre-accident malfunction of the aircraft or its powerplants. A passenger was killed while three other occupants were injured.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: in flight encounter with weather
Phase of operation: descent - normal
Findings
1. (f) light condition - night
2. (c) in-flight planning/decision - improper - pilot in command
3. (c) inadequate transition/upgrade training - pilot in command
4. (f) weather condition - turbulence
5. (c) flight into known adverse weather - initiated - pilot in command
6. (c) lack of familiarity with aircraft - pilot in command
7. (f) weather condition - night
8. (c) vfr flight into imc - continued - pilot in command
9. (c) became lost/disoriented - inadvertent - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: descent - normal
Findings
10. (c) airspeed - uncontrolled - pilot in command
11. (c) altitude - uncontrolled - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Findings
12. (f) terrain condition - open field
13. (f) terrain condition - snow covered

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 401A in Dorset: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 17, 1985 at 2015 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 401

Operator:

Culen & Hamilton

Registration:

N12CQ

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Caldwell - Rutland

MSN:

401A-0116

YOM:

1969

Location:

Dorset

Vermont

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4946

Captain / Total hours on type:

3149.00

Aircraft flight hours:

3062

Circumstances:

The pilot was about 30 miles from Rutland when he radioed the airport for weather info. He was informed that clouds were 1,500 feet broken and 2,700 feet overcast with snow, light fog and 5 miles visibility. The pilot responded that he would call again when he got closer to the airport. There was no further transmission received from the pilot. The aircraft collided with Dorset mount, located about 18 miles south of the airport. The aircraft was in a level attitude and at a elevation of 3,300 feet. Dorset mount is 3,515 feet high. Examination of the aircraft did not disclose evidence of malfunction. No flight plan was filed. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: in flight encounter with weather
Phase of operation: cruise
Findings
1. (f) preflight briefing service - not obtained - pilot in command
2. (f) weather condition - low ceiling
3. (c) vfr flight into imc - initiated - pilot in command
4. (f) weather condition - snow
5. (f) weather condition - fog
6. (f) judgment - poor - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: cruise
Findings
7. (f) terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
8. (c) visual lookout - not possible - pilot in command
9. (c) clearance - not maintained - pilot in command

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 414 Chancellor in Obernburg am Main: 3 killed

Date & Time: Mar 17, 1985 at 1945 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 414 Chancellor

Operator:

UKW Technik

Registration:

N8154Q

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601)

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Leeds - Frankfurt

MSN:

414-0054

YOM:

1970

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The pilot was preparing to land to Frankfurt-Main Airport by night when the twin engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in a wooded area located one km southeast of Obernburg am Main, some 45 km southeast of Frankfurt-Main Airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed.

Crash of a Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601P) in Van Nuys: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 6, 1985 at 1858 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Wild Blue

Registration:

N777PL

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

City

Schedule:

Santa Ana – Van Nuys

MSN:

61-0334-111

YOM:

1976

Location:

Van Nuys

California

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1820

Aircraft flight hours:

1490

Circumstances:

The aircraft crashed into a residence 2 miles short of the runway after loss of power on the left engine. This engine was feathered, the gear was extended, but the flaps remained up as the aircraft continued the landing approach. Post accident investigation revealed no irregularities in the functioning of the aircraft. The pilot had radioed the report of power loss but had stated that he would not need the emergency equipment. The aircraft crashed in Sepulveda and was destroyed. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of engine power
Phase of operation: approach - vfr pattern - downwind
Findings
1. (f) engine assembly - undetermined
----------
Occurrence #2: undershoot
Phase of operation: approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
Findings
2. (c) planning/decision - poor - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with object
Phase of operation: approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
Findings
3. (f) object - residence

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31T Cheyenne II in Utica: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 22, 1985 at 2000 LT

Type of aircraft:

Piper PA-31 Cheyenne

Operator:

Registration:

N100RN

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Montgomery - Utica

MSN:

31-7820091

YOM:

1978

Location:

Utica

Michigan

Country:

Region:

Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

11000

Captain / Total hours on type:

800.00

Aircraft flight hours:

1516

Circumstances:

The pilot attempted a VOR approach and missed. He advised ATC he was going to attempt the NDB and if he could not see the runway he would go to metro at Detroit or Pontiac. On the NDB approach the aircraft struck trees 960 feet below the MDA. The aircraft flipped over landing on the nose and top of the fuselage. Both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: in flight collision with object
Phase of operation: approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
Findings
1. (f) in-flight planning/decision - not corrected - pilot in command
2. (f) ifr procedure - not followed - pilot in command
3. (f) judgment - poor - pilot in command
4. (c) minimum descent altitude - not used - pilot in command
5. (c) decision height - not maintained - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601P) in Bentonville

Date & Time: Feb 22, 1985 at 0740 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Robson S. Walton

Registration:

N60817

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Bentonville – Little Rock

MSN:

61-0758-8063376

YOM:

1980

Location:

Bentonville

Arkansas

Country:

Region:

Beechwoods Flying Service

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1232

Captain / Total hours on type:

19.00

Aircraft flight hours:

616

Circumstances:

The aircraft contacted livestock, a fence and the gear collapsed during a forced landing following a loss of power on the right engine. The pilot reported that after he feathered the right engine propeller and lowered the gear he noted the aux hydraulic system pressure gage was indicating zero. Post accident inspection disclosed evidence of an oil leak from the left lower section of the right engine. Tests revealed the leak originated from the oil cooler pressure line which failed due to severe corrosion of the wire braid and deformation of the inner cover. Testing of the auxiliary hydraulic pressure pump disclosed the 35 ampere current limiter was blown and 40 amperes were required to drive the pump motor. The pilot, sole on board, was slightly injured.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (partial) - nonmechanical
Phase of operation: climb - to cruise
Findings
1. (c) lubricating system, oil line - failure,total
2. (c) lubricating system, oil line - corroded
3. (c) fluid, oil - leak
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
----------
Occurrence #3: airframe/component/system failure/malfunction
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
Findings
4. Hydraulic system, pump - improper
----------
Occurrence #4: on ground/water collision with object
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
5. Object - animal(s)
6. Object - fence
----------
Occurrence #5: gear collapsed
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
7. Terrain condition - rough/uneven
8. Landing gear - overload

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft G90 King Air in Saint Mary's: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 13, 1985 at 2200 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft 90 King Air

Operator:

Registration:

N2019U

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Dubois - Saint Mary's

MSN:

LJ-792

YOM:

1978

Location:

Saint Mary's

Pennsylvania

Country:

Region: