Executive/Corporate/Business

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Rockwell Aero Commander 685

MSN:

25-344

YOM:

1981

Location:

Lagos-Murtala Muhammed

Lagos

Country:

Nigeria

Region:

Africa

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed on landing for unknown reasons. All three occupants were injured and the aircraft was written off.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 685 in Cleveland: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jul 20, 1983 at 1522 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Technical Computer Services

Registration:

N3711T

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Akron - Cleveland

MSN:

685-12023

YOM:

1973

Location:

Cleveland-Hopkins

Ohio

Country:

Region:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5000

Captain / Total hours on type:

27.00

Aircraft flight hours:

1509

Circumstances:

While turning from downwind to base leg, the aircraft was observed descending rapidly in a steep bank. Witnesses reported smoke was trailing from the aircraft. The aircraft crashed in an industrial area. An exam of the right engine revealed that the exhaust-to-turbo adapter, pn 641829, had fractured and separated. The fracture was a result of thermal fatigue and it had propagated across more than 95% of the area before final separation had occurred. Since an exam of the cowling and both engines showed no streaking heat or smoke patterns, the reported 'smoke' was attributed to exhaust gas. While there was a loss of power in the right engine, no other aircraft malfunctions were found that would have caused loss of control. All six occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of engine power(partial) - mechanical failure/malfunction
Phase of operation: approach - VFR pattern - base turn
Findings
1. (c) exhaust system,manifold/pipe - fatigue
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
Findings
2. (c) aircraft handling - inadequate - pilot in command

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-35-DL in Khartoum

Date & Time: Jul 19, 1983

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N480F

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

9719

YOM:

1943

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Khartoum-Haj Yusuf Airport, while climbing, the right engine malfunctioned. The pilot decided to shut it down and to feather its propeller. Few seconds later, the left engine lost power and decision was taken to attempt an emergency landing. The crew completed a belly landing in a wasteland located few km from the airport. The aircraft slid for few dozen meters before coming to rest. All 24 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the fuel was contaminated with water, causing the engine to lose power and/or malfunction.

Crash of a Grumman G-44 Widgeon in Walker Lake

Date & Time: Jul 2, 1983

Type of aircraft:

Grumman G-44 Widgeon

Operator:

Registration:

N3767Z

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

1346

YOM:

1943

Location:

Walker Lake

Alaska

Country:

Region:

Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

For unknown reasons, the seaplane landed hard on Walker Lake and came to rest. All three occupants were able to evacuate the cabin in time before the wreckage would sank by 200 feet depth.

Crash of a Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I in Atmore: 8 killed

Date & Time: Jun 21, 1983 at 2331 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Odom Flying Service

Registration:

N2960Q

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Pensacola - Saint Louis

MSN:

421A-0060

YOM:

1968

Location:

Atmore

Alabama

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4150

Captain / Total hours on type:

100.00

Aircraft flight hours:

877

Circumstances:

About 20 minutes after takeoff the pilot reported the right engine had lost power and the aircraft would not maintain altitude. Vectors were provided for an emergency landing, but the aircraft crashed in a wooded area about 3 miles from the airport. There was evidence that the gear and flaps had been extended and the aircraft had entered a turn before impacting. Both props had evidence of low to moderate power and neither was feathered. An exam revealed unsymmetrical wear on the blades of the right turbocharger; its thrust spacer, pn 406990-9004, was worn and there was evidence of oil leakage. The 13 qt, right engine oil system had only 6.85 qts of oil remaining. Both turbochargers had been installed during an annual inspection in april 1983 and previously had been overhauled. The aircraft was estimated to be 844 lbs over its max weight limit and the aircraft cg limit was exceeded by about 4.8 inches. Six of the passengers were not restrained by seat belts. An associate estimated that the pilot had only 4 to 6 hours of rest in the previous 3 to 4 days. All eight occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf
Phase of operation: climb - to cruise
Findings
1. (f) exhaust system,turbocharger - worn
2. (f) maintenance - improper - other maintenance personnel
3. (f) fluid,oil - leak
4. (f) exhaust system,turbocharger - failure,partial
5. Propeller feathering - not performed - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
Findings
6. (f) preflight planning/preparation - improper - pilot in command
7. (f) aircraft weight and balance - exceeded - pilot in command
8. Passenger briefing - inadequate - pilot in command
9. Seat belt - not used - passenger
----------
Occurrence #3: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: approach
Findings
10. (f) light condition - dark night
11. (c) in-flight planning/decision - improper - pilot in command
12. (f) fatigue - pilot in command
13. (c) emergency procedure - improper - pilot in command
14. (f) lack of familiarity with aircraft - pilot in command
15. (c) gear extension - premature - pilot in command
16. (f) lowering of flaps - premature - pilot in command
17. (c) airspeed (vmc) - not maintained - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #4: in flight collision with object
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Findings
18. (f) object - tree(s)

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 500 Citation I in Wichita

Date & Time: Apr 26, 1983 at 1454 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 500 Citation

Operator:

Registration:

N22FM

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Wichita-Dwight D. Eisenhower (Mid-Continent)

Schedule:

Wichita - Chicago

MSN:

500-0229

YOM:

1974

Location:

Kansas

Country:

Region:

Beechcraft 200 Super King Air

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

6725

Captain / Total hours on type:

2300.00

Aircraft flight hours:

4112

Circumstances:

The aircraft collided with the ground during takeoff. The fuel tank in the right wing ruptured and the aircraft burned while sliding to a stop. The day before the accident the aircraft was washed and the thrust reverser doors were polished. After the service, the reverser doors circuit breakers which had been pulled were not reset. It was company policy to leave circuit breakers out that were pulled during servicing. Prior to flight, the aircraft was loaded and the engines started. The reversed unlock lights on both reverser annunciator panels illuminated. The pilot discussed the situation with the copilot and elected to go. He pushed the light assemblies which unlatched the light housing and put out the 'unlock' lights. After takeoff while the gear was retracting the aircraft yawed right and impacted the ground. All occupants evacuated and after the fire was put out a Cessna Aircraft investigator observed the two thrust reverser circuit breakers in the 'out', open position and partially covered by a flight chart. Both thrust reversers were deployed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
1. (c) thrust reverser,door - unlocked
2. (c) maintenance - inadequate - company maintenance personnel
3. (c) thrust reverser,door - deployed inadvertently
4. (c) aircraft preflight - inadequate - pilot in command
5. (c) electrical system,circuit breaker - popped/tripped
6. (c) operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted - pilot in command
7. (c) annunciator panel light(s) - switched off
8. (c) checklist - not followed - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 200 Super King Air in Guangzhou: 8 killed

Date & Time: Apr 4, 1983

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

F-BVRP

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Guangzhou - Hong Kong

MSN:

BB-38

YOM:

1975

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Four minutes after takeoff from Guangzhou-Baiyun Airport, while climbing, the twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed few km from the airport. All eight occupants were killed, five French citizens and three Chinese.

Crash of a Cessna 500 Citation I in Eagle Pass: 4 killed

Date & Time: Apr 1, 1983 at 2000 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 500 Citation

Operator:

Winn Exploration Company

Registration:

N700CW

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Corpus Christi - Eagle Pass

MSN:

500-0205

YOM:

1974

Location:

Eagle Pass

Texas

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

3440

Circumstances:

The aircraft was on a flight to a private ranch landing strip at night. The strip had an unlighted windsock at midfield and portable runway edge lights were in use. During arrival, the aircrew estimated the visibility was 3 to 4 miles and reported they would be able to land. Personnel at the ranch heard the aircraft fly over. One of them reported that earlier, the wind had been blowing hard and the air was full of dust, but at the time the aircraft arrived, dust had settled. A deputy sheriff noted that at times, the visibility was good, but at other times, it was poor. The aircraft owner, who was at the ranch, said he could see the aircraft lights at times (in the traffic pattern), but at times, he could not see them. After making two passes, the aircraft crashed in the area where it should have been on a base leg. An exam of the wreckage revealed it was in a left turn during impact. After initial impact, it bounced/slid 663 feet, then hit a tree covered canal levee and burned. No evidence of a preimpact/mechanical malfunction or failure was found. All four occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: in flight encounter with weather
Phase of operation: approach
Findings
1. (f) light condition - dark night
2. (f) weather condition - obscuration
3. (c) weather evaluation - poor - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: approach - VFR pattern - base turn
Findings
4. (c) proper altitude - not maintained - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: on ground/water encounter with terrain/water
Phase of operation: other
Findings
5. (f) terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment

Final Report:

Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2B-60 Marquise in North Adams: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 18, 1983 at 1155 LT

Type of aircraft:

Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquise

Operator:

Petroquimica Dominicana

Registration:

N473MA

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

North Adams-Harriman and West

Schedule:

Teterboro - North Adams

MSN:

1547

YOM:

1982

Location:

Massachusetts

Country:

Region: