Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2B-36 Marquise in Nashville: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 6, 1990 at 1131 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N82MA
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Nashville - Murfreesboro
MSN:
665
YOM:
1975
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
9379
Captain / Total hours on type:
5854.00
Aircraft flight hours:
6714
Circumstances:
On a previous flight, low power was noted in the right engine, the right engine fuel flow was 5 to 8 gal/hr less than the left engine and the right engine temperature (itt) was about 500° less than the left. A decision was made to ferry the aircraft to a maint facility to have the right engine examined. The pilot took off on a 5,186 feet runway (unrway 02C) with a light tail wind in 95° temperature, though the airport had longer runways (7,702 feet, 8,000 feet and 8,500 feet). A witness noted the aircraft lifted off at the end of the runway (charts showed the takeoff roll with normal power should have been about 3,100 feet). Witnesses reported the aircraft remained low (nearly hitting a 55 feet light standard) until it rolled right and 'dropped like a rock.' Impact occurred in a right wing low attitude about 2 miles from the departure end of runway 02C. The aircraft was extensively damaged by impact and fire; no preimpact part failure was found. Both engines had evidence of engine rotation at the time of impact. The operator's lead mechanic had reported for duty about 3 hours before the accident flight, but he had not been informed of the engine problem before the aircraft took off. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
The company/operator management's decision to operate the aircraft with a known deficiency without further maintenance, the pilot's improper planning/decision and the pilot's failure to abort the takeoff (while there was sufficient runway remaining). Factors related to the accident were: lack of power in the right engine, and the unfavorable meteorological conditions at the airport.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680 in Titusville

Date & Time: Aug 5, 1990 at 0940 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N599BB
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
680-372-57
YOM:
1956
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3000
Captain / Total hours on type:
1.00
Circumstances:
About 5-10 min after takeoff the pilot leaned the mixture on a rough running engine. About 30 minutes later the left engine began to overspeed. The pilot was unable to feather the prop. The pilot returned toward the departure point with max power on the right engine. Unable to reach the airport, an emergency landing was made on a highway, directional control was lost, and the airplane collided with trees. Last annual was in 1978. Left propeller start lock pin blade L3 corroded, in extended position. Left propeller pitch control cable separated, frayed, corroded. General deterioration of piston rings and #6 conrod. Right prop governor control cables corroded, frayed. Right engine #5 intake pipe connection and hose missing. All compression rings pistons #1 and #5 severely worn, top two compression rings piston #2 seized. No record that the airplane had been inspected by an a&p mechanic or FAA approved airframe repair station. Pilot stated flight manual not available or used during ground or flight operations.
Probable cause:
The pilot's decision to continue the flight with a known unairworthy mechanical condition resulting in a subsequent loss of engine power and forced landing.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Turbo Commander 680V in Keflavik

Date & Time: Aug 5, 1990
Registration:
N444GB
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Frobisher Bay – Reykjavik
MSN:
680-1565-21
YOM:
1966
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total hours on type:
15.00
Circumstances:
While approaching Iceland on a ferry flight from Frobisher Bay, the crew declared an emergency due to fuel shortage and requested the permission to divert to Keflavik Airport. On final approach to runway 29, both engines failed simultaneously. The aircraft stalled and crashed on a road located 1,500 meters short of runway. Both pilots were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The pilot's experience on this type of aircraft was limited to 15 hours and he failed to calculate the fuel consumption correctly prior to departure from Frobisher Bay. It was determined that he calculated the flight as being 7 hours and 15 minutes while the autonomy of this aircraft is 8 hours and 20 minutes. Investigations revealed that both engines failed after six hours and 15 minutes of flight. Poor flight planning and preparation were considered as contributing factors.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-5D Buffalo in Calgary

Date & Time: Jul 17, 1990 at 1640 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
FAE064
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Quito – Billings – Calgary
MSN:
64
YOM:
1976
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft suffered an incident in Ecuador few days prior to this accident and damages were reported to the undercarriage. A ferry flight to Calgary was arranged so the aircraft could be repaired by technicians by De Havilland Canada. The flight from Quito to Calgary was completed with the undercarriage down. Upon touchdown on runway 28 at Calgary Airport, the nose gear collapsed. The airplane slid on its nose and came rest, bursting into flames. In a hurry, both pilots escaped the cabin and did not stop both engines. Hydraulic fluids ignited and the aircraft was totally destroyed by fire. Both pilots were uninjured. Dual registration FAE064 and HC-BFH.
Probable cause:
It was concluded that the self-centering mechanism could be forced off centre because of a system malfunction caused by the previous accident or by intentional nosewheel steering input, which would cause enough pressure to shear the pins. The internal damage to the controlcam mechanism allowed the wheels to be off centre at touchdown. Marks on the adjacent sides of the pulleys showed that the cable had been lodged in the space between the two pulleys. Although the extent of this damage was limited, it was representative of damage caused by the previous jungle accident and would have caused the sluggish response to nosewheel commands experienced earlier by the crew. When the weight of the aircraft settled on the misaligned nosewheel, the temporary ferry repairs failed in overload and the nosewheel collapsed.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2R near Shurma: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jun 26, 1990 at 1750 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-19730
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Malmyzh – Kaksinvai – Kirov
MSN:
1G165-44
YOM:
1975
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Aircraft flight hours:
8200
Aircraft flight cycles:
22244
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a ferry flight from Malmyzh to Kirov following spraying operations and made an intermediate stop in Kaksinvai. He departed Kaksinvai at 1715LT on the second leg and attempted risky manoeuvre at very low height when the aircraft struck trees and crashed in a wooded area located 15 km east of Shurma, bursting into flames. Both pilots and the sole passenger (an aircraft mechanic who was in the second pilot's seat) were killed. At the time of the accident, the crew was intoxicated.
Probable cause:
It was determined that both pilots were intoxicated at the time of the accident. The captain had a level of 2,1‰ of alcohol in blood and 2,8‰ for the copilot.

Crash of a Lockheed C-121S Super Constellation off Levittown: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 5, 1990 at 1745 LT
Operator:
Registration:
HI-515CT
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
San Juan - Santo Domingo
MSN:
4192
YOM:
1956
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Aircraft flight hours:
16822
Circumstances:
The captain of the airplane elected to take off on a three engine ferry flight without authorization. During the three engine climb out with the n°3 propeller feathered, the n°2 engine caught fire and he could not extinguish the fire. He attempted to return and during the descent the n°1 engine failed. He then intentionally ditched the airplane in the ocean, and received fatal injuries. The airplane was not recovered from the ocean and no determination of cause could be ascertained.
Probable cause:
Fire of an undetermined origin that resulted in a loss of power in two engines during a three engine ferry flight. Factors related to the accident were: failure of the pilot to obtain the required authorization for the three engine ferry flight, and his operation of the aircraft with known deficiencies.
Final Report:

Crash of a GAF Nomad N.22B in Leongatha

Date & Time: Apr 5, 1990 at 0645 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
VH-DNM
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Leongatha - Leongatha
MSN:
25
YOM:
1976
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On completion of temporary repairs following a forced landing accident in a paddock, a permit to fly was issued authorising a ferry flight from the accident site to a nearby strip. During the take off roll the pilot was unable to maintain directional control and the aircraft crossed a drain before striking a fence and overturning. An inspection of the aircraft did not reveal any defect which could have contributed to the loss of directional control. Following the landing accident the property owner had rotary-hoed the paddock to a depth of 10 centimetres. Using a motor vehicle, the pilot compacted a 2.5 metre wide strip along the centreline of the paddock, which sloped approximately 3 degrees down to the north. At the time of the takeoff to the north the wind was from the north-east at 5 knots. The pilot selected a takeoff power setting of 53 percent of the maximum power available which effectively increased the take off ground roll required by approximately 170 metres.
Probable cause:
The investigation revealed that after a 50 metre ground roll the left main wheel entered the rotary-hoed area. The aircraft then veered further to the left before striking the fence and overturning.
The following factors were considered relevant to the development of the accident:
- The strip width was inadequate for the safe operation of the aircraft.
- The pilot did not maintain directional control during the take-off.
- The pilot delayed abandoning the take-off.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 404 Titan II in Boca Raton

Date & Time: Jan 17, 1990 at 0009 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N335GP
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Wilmington - Fort Lauderdale
MSN:
404-0009
YOM:
1976
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1487
Captain / Total hours on type:
35.00
Aircraft flight hours:
3286
Circumstances:
While level after descending, the right engine quit. Pilot feathered the propeller, advised ATC, and was diverting to alternate when left engine quit. He positioned the left engine boost pump to high and low with negative results, but did not feather the propeller. Position of boost pumps, when engines quit, was not determined. Aircraft landed on overpass that was under construction. There was fuel leakage after accident due to aircraft damage. Fuel quantity was sufficient. Examination of aircraft revealed right engine flexible duct from turbocharger to plenum chamber separated due to loose clamp. Hose was installed and club prop installed for each engine run. Both engines operated normally. Induction air hose was pulled during right engine run. Engine ran rough due to excessive rich mixture. No determination could be made for the reason of the left engine power loss.
Probable cause:
Loss of power in the right engine due to a disconnected duct between the turbocharger and the plenum chamber. The reason for the loss of power in the left engine was not determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed L-1329 JetStar II in Miami: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 6, 1990 at 1142 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N96GS
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Miami - Dallas
MSN:
5068
YOM:
1965
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
12500
Captain / Total hours on type:
900.00
Aircraft flight hours:
8791
Circumstances:
Flight was a 3-engine ferry with the #4 engine shut down. During takeoff roll at V1 the #2 engine overheat light came on. According to the copilot the pilot reduced throttle slightly and continued the takeoff. After lift-off the pilot aborted the takeoff. The airplane could not be stopped on the remaining runway and collided with antennas, approach lights and a construction site 1,180 feet from the departure end of the runway. Postcrash exam of the 3 operating engines did not reveal any evidence of mechanical failure or malfunction. A failed resistor was found in the #2 engine electronic engine control (eec). This would cause the unit to over-schedule fuel to the engine resulting in hotter engine operating temperatures. Retarding the throttle would reduce fuel flow to within normal ranges for engine operation. Under conditions that existed at the time of the accident, the airplane would have a 3-engine rate-of-climb of 1,398 fpm, and a 2-engome rate-of-climb of 350 fpm. The captain was killed while the copilot was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
The pilot's improper decision to reject the takeoff after the airplane had passed V1 speed and lifted off the runway. A factor was a malfunctioning #2 engine electronic engine control which caused the unit to over-schedule fuel to the engine resulting in hotter operating temperatures.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-65-DL off Petersburg

Date & Time: Jun 26, 1989 at 1105 LT
Registration:
N8042X
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Petersburg - Ketchikan
MSN:
19041
YOM:
1943
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
9500
Captain / Total hours on type:
4000.00
Aircraft flight hours:
10762
Circumstances:
Immediately after takeoff at 200-300 feet agl, a portion of fabric separated from the right aileron. While maneuvering the aircraft the pilot's control wheel became free, and he elected to ditch using full rudder and differential power. Examination of the pilot's control wheel aileron control chain revealed that the chain failed due to overload. The right seat was occupied by a mechanic employed by the operator and held a private pilot certificate with single and multi engine rating. He stated that he suggested to the pilot that his controls were functioning normally, but the pilot disagreed and proceeded to ditch the aircraft. Examination of the right control yoke revealed aileron movement in the correct direction.
Probable cause:
The pilot's improper decision to ditch the aircraft when it could have been flown back to the airport using the right seat controls. Contributing factor(s) was: the failure and separation of a portion of the right aileron fabric, and the pilot's excessive force applied to the control wheel which resulted in overstressing the aileron control chain.
Final Report: