Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Castlegar: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 3, 1985
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
C-GZTD
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Victoria – Castlegar
MSN:
31-202
YOM:
1968
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was completing a positioning flight from Victoria to Castlegar-West Kootenay Airport. On final, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed in a wooded area located on Mt Sentinel, few km from the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.

Crash of a Dassault Falcon 50 in Teterboro: 3 killed

Date & Time: Nov 10, 1985 at 1722 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N784B
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Morristown - Teterboro
MSN:
118
YOM:
1982
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
8265
Captain / Total hours on type:
817.00
Circumstances:
A Dassault Falcon 50 jet (N784B) and an Air Pegasus Piper PA-28-181 Archer (N1977H) collided about 1500 feet over the towns of Fairview and Cliffside Park, New Jersey, USA. The Falcon 50 was cleared for a standard instrument approach procedure in visual meteorological conditions and was in a left turn to position itself on the downwind leg to runway 19 at the Teterboro Airport, and the PA-28 was transiting the airport traffic area from west to east when they collided. The accident occurred 4 1/2 miles east-southeast at the edge of the airport traffic area in visual meteorological conditions. Both airplanes had been in radio contact with the Teterboro control tower. The flightcrew, the only occupants aboard the Falcon 50, and the pilot and two passengers onboard the PA-28 were killed. The Falcon 50 crashed into an apartment building killing one resident and seriously injuring two bystanders.
Probable cause:
A breakdown in air traffic control coordination which resulted in an air traffic conflict and the inability of the DA50 flightcrew to ‘see and avoid' the other aircraft due to:
- An erroneous and inadequate traffic advisory and
- The physiological limitations of human vision and reaction time at night.
Air traffic control management contributed to the accident by failing to insure that controllers were following prescribed procedures and by failing to recognize and correct operational deficiencies.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 441 Conquest II in Skien: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 11, 1985 at 1150 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
LN-VIP
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Oslo - Skien
MSN:
441-0279
YOM:
1983
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
6969
Captain / Total hours on type:
232.00
Aircraft flight hours:
1145
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, departed Oslo-Fornebu Airport on a 20 minutes flight to Skien where the aircraft should be inspected by customs before the pilot would continue to Finland where 9 passengers should be embarked for a on-demand taxi flight. Following an uneventful flight at an altitude of 6,000 feet, the pilot started the descent in good weather conditions, passed 4,000 feet and then was cleared for an approach to runway 19. On short final, at a distance of 700 meters from the runway threshold, the twin engine aircraft initiated a right turn then continued via heading 325° when it lost altitude and crashed in the Meierelva River. The wreckage was found partially submerged on the shore of the river, about 1,500 meters northwest of runway 19 threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
At the time of the accident, weather conditions were good and the aircraft was correctly configured for a VFR approach, gear and flaps down. Investigations were unable to determine the exact cause of the accident.
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 24B in Provins: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 10, 1985
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
F-BSRL
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Marseille - Paris
MSN:
24-210
YOM:
1969
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew started the descent to Paris-Le Bourget when the aircraft went out of control, entered a dive and crashed in an open field located in Provins, about 77 km southeast of Le Bourget Airport. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The loss of control occurred following an in-flight fire from unknown origin.

Crash of a Cessna 501 Citation I in Harrison: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 21, 1985 at 2015 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N10GE
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Point Lookout – Harrison
MSN:
501-0022
YOM:
1977
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
At 2003 cdt, the flight was cleared for an ILS localizer approach to runway 36 at the Harrison-Boone County Airport. About 7 minutes later, the aircrew reported making a missed approach and the flight was cleared to the outer compass locator for another approach. The crew asked the Harrison FSS specialist to increase the intensity of the approach lights because they did not see the airport until mid-field; the specialist complied. At about 2015 cst, the aircrew reported inbound at the Bakky intersection (outer marker). The outer marker was located 4.7 mi south of the i-hro localizer DME on an outbound heading of 179°. When the flight did not arrive, a search was initiated. The wreckage was found where the aircraft collided with a mountain at the 1,840 feet level on a heading of 335°, 3.5 miles wsw of the airport. The crash site was also located along the 179° radial of the Harrison VOR, roughly the same distance and direction from the VOR as the outer marker was from the localizer DME. The airport weather was 500 feet overcast, 2 miles visibility with fog. Airport elevation is 1,364 feet msl. Both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
Findings
1. (c) ifr procedure - improper - pilot in command
2. (c) flight/navigation instrument(s) - improper use of - pilot in command
3. Pilot in command
4. (f) weather condition - low ceiling
5. (f) weather condition - rain
6. (f) terrain condition - mountainous/hilly.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon in Golden Valley

Date & Time: May 18, 1985 at 0656 LT
Registration:
N91043
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Minneapolis - Crystal
MSN:
207-0030
YOM:
1969
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1800
Captain / Total hours on type:
607.00
Aircraft flight hours:
4002
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff, on the last leg on it's flight, the engine of the air cargo aircraft started to sputter. The pilot turned the fuel selector handler from the left tank to another position and turned on the boost pump. The engine stopped running and the pilot elected to land in a public park. The left wing was torn off the aircraft during the emergency landing. Investigation revealed that the fuel selector had been turned to the 'off' position, a check of the fuel quantity in each tank showed less than five gallons in the left tank and about twelve gallons in the right tank. Sole on board, the pilot was slightly injured.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (total) - nonmechanical
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
1. (f) fluid, fuel - starvation
2. (f) preflight planning/preparation - inadequate - pilot in command
3. (c) fuel tank selector position - improper - pilot in command
4. (c) in-flight planning/decision - inadequate - pilot in command
5. (f) procedures/directives - misjudged - pilot in command
6. (f) diverted attention - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
Findings
7. (f) object - tree(s)
8. Wing - separation
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna T303 Crusader in Mesa

Date & Time: May 13, 1985 at 1943 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N4661V
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Scottsdale - Mesa
MSN:
303-00276
YOM:
1983
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2665
Captain / Total hours on type:
32.00
Aircraft flight hours:
59
Circumstances:
Pilot took off from Scottsdale at 1934 mst for a 13 nm flight to reposition the aircraft to home base. Within minutes the pilot advised ATC that he was 6 miles out with minimum fuel and requested no delay. He then asked for clearance to runway 22R and was cleared to land on runway 22R, at 1943 mst the pilot advised the tower that he was not going to make the runway. Both engines had stopped due to fuel exhaustion and the pilot made a forced landing 1/4 mile from the approach end of runway 22R in a level dirt area. The pilot reported the aircraft contained 120 lbs of fuel upon departure from Scottsdale and no low fuel warning was received. The pilot's operating handbook states the low fuel warning light should illuminate when there is less than 60 gallons of fuel in either tank or when there is less than 120 gallons total fuel on board. The manual also stated the aircraft burns 170 gph at 70 percent power. The pilot, sole on board, was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (total) - nonmechanical
Phase of operation: approach - vfr pattern - final approach
Findings
1. (c) preflight planning/preparation - improper - pilot in command
2. (f) fluid, fuel - exhaustion
3. (c) fuel supply - inadequate - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: landing - flare/touchdown
Findings
4. (f) terrain condition - open field
5. (f) light condition - dusk
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft H18 in Cartersville: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 12, 1985 at 0510 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N18AW
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Cartersville - Atlanta
MSN:
BA-644
YOM:
1963
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
2313
Captain / Total hours on type:
183.00
Aircraft flight hours:
6468
Circumstances:
The flight had not yet been scheduled when the pilot retired for the evening at 2230 to 2300 est. At 0230, he was awoken and notified to make a night cargo flight. The owner obtained a weather briefing and filed a flight plan, then briefed the pilot later. The pilot arrived at the airport at 0430. He preflighted the aircraft while the owner updated the weather briefing. The aircraft was cleared as filed with a clearance void time of 0500; the clearance was radioed to the pilot by unicom. During takeoff, at 0510, the aircraft was observed climbing northbound to aprx 800 feet agl in moderate snowfall with the landing light on. A short time later, the aircraft crashed approximately one mile northeast of the airport while in a steep nose down, right wing low attitude. No pre- impact part failure/malfunction was found. Reportedly, when the pilot 1st hired on, he exaggerated his flight experience; he had problems with instrument flying and was not scheduled for flights in marginal weather; and he was given extra help. At the time of the accident, snow was falling, mixed icing was forecast in clouds and there was a sigmet for moderate to severe turbulences below 8,000 feet. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: in flight encounter with weather
Phase of operation: takeoff
Findings
1. (f) supervision - inadequate - company/operator management
2. (f) company-induced pressure - company/operator management
3. (f) fatigue (flight schedule) - pilot in command
4. (f) lack of total experience in type operation - pilot in command
5. (f) light condition - dark night
6. (f) weather condition - clouds
7. (f) terrain condition - snow covered
8. (f) weather condition - snow
9. (f) landing lights - improper use of - pilot in command
10. (f) visual/aural perception - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
11. (c) ifr procedure - not followed - pilot in command
12. (c) spatial disorientation - pilot in command
13. Aircraft handling - not maintained
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft A100 King Air in Cedarville: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 1, 1985 at 2147 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N72BS
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Ridgeland – Millville
MSN:
B-113
YOM:
1972
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
17300
Captain / Total hours on type:
4000.00
Circumstances:
The two atp rated pilots were en route back to their home base airport flying on an IFR flight plan in actual instrument weather conditions. Communications with ATC controllers was normal. During a night localizer approach into Millville municipal airport, an ATC specialist observed the aircraft passing through the localizer track and issued a vector for re-interception. The aircraft was subsequently observed tracking inbound on course. The pilot reported crossing the om. This was the last transmission heard from the pilot and was routine. The aircraft crashed into a wooded area just beyond the om and was destroyed in a post impact fire. Post accident examination of the wreckage revealed evidence to indicate the left engine was producing less power than the right engine at impact. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: in flight collision with object
Phase of operation: descent - normal
Findings
1. (f) weather condition - low ceiling
2. (f) weather condition - fog
3. (f) weather condition - rain
4. (f) light condition - dark night
5. (c) ifr procedure - improper - pilot in command
6. (c) proper altitude - not maintained - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of engine power
Phase of operation: approach
Findings
7. Engine assembly - failure,partial
8. (c) engine assembly - undetermined
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo off Port-de-Paix

Date & Time: Dec 29, 1984 at 1315 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N801BR
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Miami - Port-au-Prince
MSN:
31-241
YOM:
1968
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
4310
Captain / Total hours on type:
235.00
Aircraft flight hours:
7357
Circumstances:
About 5 hours and 10 minutes after departure, both engines failed due to fuel exhaustion at 11,000 feet approximately 40 miles from Haiti. According to the pilot, the aircraft was using more fuel than normal and the destination was changed accordingly. A short time after initiating the divert, both engines quit. The crew made an emergency landing in the sea about 64 km off Port-de-Paix and was rescued. The aircraft was lost.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (total) - nonmechanical
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
1. (c) fuel consumption calculations - inadequate - pilot in command
2. (f) delayed - pilot in command
3. Initiated - pilot in command
4. (c) fluid, fuel - exhaustion
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
----------
Occurrence #3: ditching
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Final Report: