Ferry

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

West Point-Middle Peninsula

Schedule:

Youngstown - West Point

MSN:

255

YOM:

1973

Location:

Virginia

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

28818

Captain / Total hours on type:

1500.00

Aircraft flight hours:

45804

Circumstances:

After being delayed at least 2 days at Youngstown, OH, due to maintenance problems the pilot departed at approximately 1725 hours with the knowledge that the weather at his destination was ift to lifr. In addition, the pilot was scheduled for a vacation and had expressed hopes of departing on it that evening. The aircraft was seen circling West Point Municipal Airport in and out of low clouds, fog, and/or smoke from a nearby mill. Immediately before the aircraft collided with trees 6.5 miles west of the airport, a witness saw red lights, one on the rear and one close to the front of the aircraft, which was estimated to be flying at approximately tree top level. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: in flight encounter with weather
Phase of operation: circling (ifr)
Findings
1. (f) weather condition - below approach/landing minimums
2. (c) became lost/disoriented - inadvertent - pilot in command
3. Self-induced pressure - pilot in command
4. (f) weather condition - low ceiling
5. (f) weather condition - fog
6. (f) weather condition - obscuration
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with object
Phase of operation: circling (ifr)
Findings
7. (f) light condition - dark night
8. (f) object - tree(s)
9. (c) missed approach - not performed - pilot in command

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Pontiac: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 11, 1984 at 1932 LT

Type of aircraft:

Piper PA-31-310 Navajo

Operator:

Richards Aviation

Registration:

N9011Y

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Bolivar - Pontiac

MSN:

31-16

YOM:

1967

Location:

Pontiac

Michigan

Country:

Region:

De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2247

Aircraft flight hours:

3979

Circumstances:

The aircraft departed the airport with one dry air pump inoperative and the other pump reading low. Aircraft control was lost during an instrument approach in IMC approximately 2.5 hours later. Both pump driveshafts were found sheared in the wreckage and both broken shaft surfaces showed polished surfaces. During further testing it was discovered that tape or pipe dope had been used in the threading of the intake and outflow fittings of the left pump. No contaminants were found in the right pump but the pump wall inner surfaces gap was approximately .005 inch. This gap is approx 50% over the allowable tolerance for a serviceable air pump. The pressure regulator valve to the attitude indicator gyro and the compass gyro were examined and found to require pressure exceeding normal requirement standards. Both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: airframe/component/system failure/malfunction
Phase of operation: unknown
Findings
1. (f) pneumatic system - no pressure
2. (c) operation with known deficiencies in equipment - improper - pilot in command
3. (c) improper use of equipment/aircraft - pilot in command
4. (f) flight/nav instruments, attitude gyro - disabled
5. (c) judgment - improper - pilot in command
6. (f) psychological condition - pilot in command
7. (f) flight/nav instruments, attitude indicator - false indication
8. (c) maintenance, installation - improper - company maintenance personnel
9. (f) pressure - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
Findings
10. Flight/nav instruments,attitude indicator - false indication
11. (c) emergency procedure - not followed - pilot in command
12. (c) improper use of procedure - pilot in command
13. (f) qualification - pilot in command
14. (f) lack of experience - pilot in command
15. (f) lack of recent experience - pilot in command
16. (f) lack of recent experience in type operation - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled

Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou in the Atlantic Ocean: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 23, 1984 at 0307 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N5488R

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Intercontinental Air Lease - IAL

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Santa Maria - Saint John's

MSN:

216

YOM:

1964

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

50000

Captain / Total hours on type:

5000.00

Aircraft flight hours:

4500

Circumstances:

Pilot ditched aircraft in Atlantic Ocean following a loss of power due to fuel exhaustion. Copilot stated they were aware of bad weather along the route but the pilot was anxious to get to their destination. Headwinds encountered en route were stronger then expected. Copilot stated they had shut down one of the engines approximately 1/2 hour before the ditching in an effort to conserve fuel. A pilot died while the second was rescued.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (total) - nonmechanical
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
1. (f) weather condition - rain
2. (c) preflight planning/preparation - poor - pilot in command
3. (f) weather condition - unfavorable wind
4. Judgment - poor - pilot in command
5. (f) anxiety/apprehension - pilot in command
6. Fluid, fuel - exhaustion
7. (c) fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
----------
Occurrence #3: ditching
Phase of operation: landing
Findings
8. Terrain condition - water, rough

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-118A Liftmaster in San Manuel

Date & Time: Apr 28, 1984 at 1630 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-118 Liftmaster

Operator:

Registration:

N92860

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Saint Petersburg – Chandler

MSN:

44619/549

YOM:

1955

Location:

San Manuel

Arizona

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

6983

Captain / Total hours on type:

3200.00

Circumstances:

The aircraft skidded off the departure end of the runway collapsing the landing gear in a ditch as it caught on fire. This aircraft was on a ferry flight and had several mechanical problems. Among these was the prop reversers which failed on landing. The anti-ice/de-ice systems failed to work properly which contributed to the need to land short of destination. The copilot reported that she did not check the anti-icing equipment on pre-flight. She was also not qualified to be a copilot on this flight. The airspeed indicators were malfunctioning during landing. The crew members all said that they knew the airspeed was much too high. The copilot said she could not understand how the pilot thought he could land at such a high speed. She also said he called for reverse and applied brakes too late in the rollout.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: overrun
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
1. (f) weather condition - tailwind
2. (c) wrong runway - selected - pilot in command
3. (f) pressure induced by others - pilot in command
4. (f) propeller system/accessories,reversing system - failure,partial
5. (c) airspeed - excessive - pilot in command
6. (f) anti-ice/deice system,windshield - inoperative
7. (c) proper touchdown point - not attained - pilot in command
8. (c) operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed - pilot in command
9. (f) precautionary landing - premature - pilot in command
10. (c) judgment - poor - pilot in command
11. (f) procedures/directives - not followed - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: main gear collapsed
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
12. (f) landing gear, main gear - overload

Final Report:

Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2B-60 Marquise near Burlington: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 19, 1984 at 2022 LT

Type of aircraft:

Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquise

Operator:

Turbine Air Management

Registration:

N466MA

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Burlington-Mountain Meadow-Johnnycake

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Burlington - Windsor Locks

MSN:

1540

YOM:

1981

Location:

Connecticut

Country:

Region:

De Havilland DH.114 Heron

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5700

Captain / Total hours on type:

3200.00

Aircraft flight hours:

7890

Circumstances:

The aircraft was flown earlier in the day for a sales demonstration. On the return flight, when the landing gear were lowered, the pilot thought he heard a noise emitting from the gear, although cockpit indications were normal. The aircraft landed at Johnny Cake Airport and was refueled for a flight to Bradley Field where it is hangared. The pilot stated he intended to make the 22 miles flight with the gear down as a precaution. He also stated his intention to fly below the overcast because of delays of up to 45 minutes in obtaining IFR clearances. Moments after takeoff the aircraft collided with trees east of the airport. About one mile east of the airport is a north-south ridge. Another pilot, who departed 15-20 mins earlier, reported entering the overcast between 400 and 700 feet agl. Ground witnesses one mile southeast of the airport who heard the crash described the weather as heavy fog and mist. One witness estimated the ceiling as 100 feet agl. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: in flight encounter with weather
Phase of operation: cruise
Findings
1. (f) weather condition - low ceiling
2. (c) VFR flight into imc - initiated - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with object
Phase of operation: cruise
Findings
3. (f) object - tree(s)
4. (c) altitude - inadequate - pilot in command
5. (f) light condition - dark night

Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DH.114 Heron 2B in Scottsdale

Date & Time: Apr 5, 1984 at 1715 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N81962

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Albuquerque – Scottsdale

MSN:

14053

YOM:

1954

Location:

Scottsdale

Arizona

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5682

Captain / Total hours on type:

37.00

Aircraft flight hours:

20652

Circumstances:

For undetermined reasons the pilot experienced a power loss on both left engines while turning from left base to final for landing. The pilot was unable to maintain directional control and elected to reduce power on the right engines. During the forced landing roll the aircraft collided with three ditches as well as small trees. As the aircraft touched down both left engines resumed full power. The pilot, sole on board, was uninjured.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of engine power
Phase of operation: approach - VFR pattern - base turn
Findings
1. (c) reason for occurrence undetermined
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
----------
Occurrence #3: on ground/water encounter with terrain/water
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
2. Terrain condition - ditch
----------
Occurrence #4: on ground/water collision with object
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
3. Object - tree(s)

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65 Queen Air in Jennings: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 5, 1984 at 1045 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft 65 Queen Air

Operator:

David N. Power

Registration:

N6RG

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

New Roads - Mesa

MSN:

LC-199

YOM:

1966

Location:

Jennings

Louisiana

Country:

Region:

De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

A popping or backfiring sound was heard by several people who later observed the aircraft flying at low altitude on what appeared to be a final approach to runway 13 at Jennings Airport (located about 75 miles southwest of the departure point.) No radios were onboard the aircraft so no distress calls were made. Because of the wind this would have been a downwind landing. The aircraft then aborted the approach due to an aircraft landing from the opposite direction and appeared to start a left turn onto abase leg when it stalled, pitched nose down and impacted the ground with its landing gear and flaps extended. Wreckage examination revealed that all 3 blades of the right prop were bent smoothly and symmetrically rearward. However, no preimpact failure or malfunction of the right engine was found. There were no entries in the aircraft's logbook from 7/1/78 until 4/3/84 when the aircraft was inspected for the ferry flight. The pilot was not multi-engine rated and had not flown this type aircraft in about 10 years. The pilot's commercial certificate was revoked on 11/21/81. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of engine power
Phase of operation: unknown
Findings
1. (c) reason for occurrence undetermined
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: approach - VFR pattern - base turn
Findings
2. Procedures/directives - not followed - pilot in command
3. (f) qualification - pilot in command
4. (f) overconfidence in personal ability - pilot in command
5. Precautionary landing - initiated - pilot in command
6. Go-around - performed - pilot in command
7. (c) airspeed (VMC) - not maintained - pilot in command
8. (c) stall - inadvertent - pilot in command
9. (c) inadequate transition/upgrade training - pilot in command
10. (f) lack of recent experience - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: approach - VFR pattern - base turn

Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver off Port McNeill: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 30, 1983

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

C-FRQW

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Rockwell Aero Commander 520

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

618

YOM:

1954

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed into the sea shortly after takeoff from Port McNeill, Vancouver island, BC. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 520 in Clines Corners: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 8, 1983 at 2018 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Raymond M. Tolles

Registration:

N4116B

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Desert

Schedule:

Bartlesville - Tucumcari - Ontario

MSN:

520-20

YOM:

1952

Location:

Clines Corners

New Mexico

Country:

Region: