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

Date & Time: Jun 24, 1983 at 1140 LT
Registration:
N727NM
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Van Wert - Montezuma
MSN:
61-0276-106
YOM:
1976
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
5500
Captain / Total hours on type:
1217.00
Aircraft flight hours:
1227
Circumstances:
When the pilot arrived at the destination airport, there was construction on the runway, about 2500 feet from the approach end. He contacted Unicom and was advised that the runway was closed, but was told he could land on the grass beside the runway. The pilot responded that the grass area was too rough. He stated, 'I think I can land on the runway available, there seems to be enough length there.' Subsequently, the aircraft was observed approaching runway 08 at an estimated 30 feet agl with the gear and flaps down. Reportedly, the power was increased, the nose assumed a climb attitude and the gear was retracted. The aircraft then rolled left, dove to the ground and crashed. An exam of the wreckage revealed no evidence of a preimpact part failure or malfunction. An evaluation of this make and model of aircraft revealed that when the cg approached the aft limit, and the flaps were extended, the aircraft had reduced yaw and roll controllability during power on stalls. The flaps were found full down. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: go-around (VFR)
Findings
1. (f) planned approach - improper - pilot in command
2. Go-around - initiated - pilot in command
3. (f) raising of flaps - not performed - pilot in command
4. (c) airspeed (VMC) - not maintained - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: go-around (VFR)
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 411 in Middlefield: 5 killed

Date & Time: Apr 18, 1982 at 1759 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N3228R
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Middlefield - Middlefield
MSN:
411-0228
YOM:
1966
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
6000
Aircraft flight hours:
2126
Circumstances:
The purpose of the flight was to prepare for a FAA part 135 air taxi check ride which was scheduled later that week. The aircraft was observed during the approach with one engine shut down. During the turn to final the aircraft crashed half a mile from runway 28. All five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical
Phase of operation: approach - VFR pattern - base leg/base to final
Findings
1. (f) in-flight planning/decision - improper - pilot in command
2. (f) emergency procedure - simulated - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: approach - VFR pattern - base leg/base to final
Findings
3. (c) planned approach - poor - pilot in command
4. (c) airspeed (VMC) - not maintained - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: approach - VFR pattern - base leg/base to final
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421C Golden Eagle III in Rutland: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 30, 1981 at 1448 LT
Registration:
N6867R
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Hickory - Columbus
MSN:
421C-1088
YOM:
1981
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
1500
Circumstances:
While descending to Columbus, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity. In clouds, the pilot suffered a spatial disorientation and lost control of the airplane that entered a dive. Due to overload failure, horizontal stabilizers and wings failed and the aircraft crashed in a field, bursting into flames. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Airframe failure in flight after the pilot attempted operation beyond experience/ability level. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot suffered a spatial disorientation,
- Exceeded design stress limits of aircraft,
- Wings: spars,
- Flight control surfaces: horizontal stabilizers, attachments,
- Overload failure,
- Thunderstorm activity,
- Prearranged IFR information flight with Beechcraft King Air,
- Horizontal stabilizers and wings failed downward.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 411 in Columbus: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 24, 1980 at 0241 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N23RJ
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Columbus - Louisville
MSN:
411-0287
YOM:
1969
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
3300
Captain / Total hours on type:
20.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Columbus-Port Columbus Airport, while in initial climb, both engines suffered a partial loss of power. The airplane stalled, entered a spin and crashed in flames. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure during initial climb after fuel system: pumps sheared. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot failed to maintain flying speed,
- Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot,
- Partial loss of power on both engines,
- Left engine fuel pump sheared,
- Left and right auxiliary fuel pumps found in low position.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 690A in Columbus

Date & Time: Oct 1, 1979 at 0803 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N57233
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Louisville - Columbus
MSN:
690-11247
YOM:
1975
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
18341
Captain / Total hours on type:
2175.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Columbus-Ohio State University Airport, the pilot encountered limited visibility due to fog. On short final, the airplane struck a fence and crashed in flames short of runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was injured.
Probable cause:
Collision with fence and subsequent crash on final approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fog,
- Visibility 3/4 mile or less.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Bluffton: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 23, 1979 at 0038 LT
Registration:
N27715
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Ypsilanti - Bluffton
MSN:
31-7852115
YOM:
1978
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
3555
Captain / Total hours on type:
500.00
Circumstances:
The pilot was completing a cargo flight from Ypsilanti (Detroit-Willow Run) to Bluffton. On approach by night and poor weather conditions, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed in a field. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled collision with ground on final approach after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot suffered a spatial disorientation,
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Visibility down to zero, below minimums.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 501 Citation I in Akron: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 2, 1979 at 1602 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N15NY
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Akron - Akron
MSN:
501-0110
YOM:
1979
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
428
Captain / Total hours on type:
6.00
Aircraft flight hours:
43
Circumstances:
About 1607 e.d.t., on August 2, 1979, a Cessna Citation piloted by Mr. Thurman L. Munson crashed short of runway 19 at the Akron-Canton Airport near Canton, Ohio. The pilot was practicing touch-and-go landings during a local flight with two passengers aboard. The aircraft first touched down in a relatively level, clear area about 870 feet short of the runway. The aircraft slid through a small clump of trees, hit a large stump, and came to rest on a road adjacent to the airport boundary fence. Fire erupted immediately after the aircraft came to rest. The two passengers escaped from the wreckage; the pilot was killed. Thurman Lee Munson, aged 32, an American Major League Baseball catcher, was killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot's failure to recognize the need for, and to take action to maintain, sufficient airspeed to prevent a stall into the ground during an attempted landing. The pilot also failed to recognize the need for timely and sufficient power application to prevent the stall during an approach conducted inadvertently without flaps extended. Contributing to the pilot's inability to recognize the problem and to take proper action was his failure to use the appropriate checklist, and his nonstandard pattern procedures which resulted in an abnormal approach profile.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Dayton

Date & Time: Jul 11, 1979 at 1425 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N136C
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Cleveland - Saint Louis
MSN:
BA-79
YOM:
1955
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1850
Captain / Total hours on type:
773.00
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was completing a ferry flight from Cleveland to Saint Louis. While in normal cruise, he encountered engine problems, informed ATC and was vectored to Dayton-Wilbur Wright Field. On final approach, the airplane was too low, struck power cables and crashed. The pilot was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Engine failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot misused or failed to use flaps,
- Complete failure of one engine.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S near Burton: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 9, 1979 at 0005 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N438A
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Youngstown - Pontiac
MSN:
BA-452
YOM:
1959
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
8600
Captain / Total hours on type:
5000.00
Circumstances:
The pilot, on a cargo flight from Youngstown to Pontiac, decided to make a low pass over his mother's house. By night, the airplane struck tree tops and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed. He was the leader of a formation of three aircraft when the accident occurred.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees after the pilot misjudged clearance. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Exercised poor judgment,
- Unwarranted low flying,
- Inadequate supervision of flight crew.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31T-620 Cheyenne II in Elyria: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 27, 1979 at 1150 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N82282
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Elyria - Elyria
MSN:
31-7820055
YOM:
1978
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
3510
Captain / Total hours on type:
8.00
Circumstances:
The crew (an instructor and a student pilot) was completing a local training at Elyria-Lorain County Airport, Ohio. On approach, the crew initiated a go-around procedure when control was lost. The airplane crashed five miles southwest of the airport and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled collision with ground during go-around due to inadequate supervision of flight. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper operation of flight controls,
- Misused or failed to use flaps,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Simulated conditions,
- Witnesses describes southeast go-around, flaps down, engine windmilling.
Final Report: