Texas

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Dallas - Teterboro

MSN:

309

YOM:

1980

Location:

Redwater

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

7353

Captain / Total hours on type:

657.00

Aircraft flight hours:

2745

Circumstances:

Airplane crashed during a uncontrolled descent, following a turbulence upset at FL370. The upset occurred as a result of clear air turbulences associated with a vip level 6 thunderstorm located within 7 miles of the last position of the airplane. After the upset, the airplane penetrated and descended thru the cell which contained lightning, extreme turbulences and severe icing. During the upset/descent both engines flamed out and the crew's attempts to recover the airplane were unsuccessful due to conditions in the cell. Crew received an improper briefing from FSS and reported their radar was malfunctioning to the deputy controller. Sigmet and AWW info was not given during the briefing. As the airplane came out of the bottom of the cell at 4,000 feet, the crew overstressed the airplane causing the left main landing door to separate and hit the left horizontal stab which subsequently separated in overload. Impact was 82° nose down. Nature of the airplane radar malfunction could not be determined. All seven occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: airframe/component/system failure/malfunction
Phase of operation: climb - to cruise
Findings
1. (c) flight/nav instruments, weather radar system - failure, partial
2. (f) operation with known deficiencies in equipment - continued - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight encounter with weather
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
3. (c) weather condition - thunderstorm
4. (c) weather condition - turbulence, clear air
5. (c) weather condition - gusts
6. (c) weather condition - downdraft
7. (f) light condition - dark night
8. (c) preflight briefing service - improper - atc personnel (fss)
9. (c) hazardous weather advisory - not issued - atc personnel (fss)
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight encounter with weather
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
10. (c) in-flight weather advisories - not issued - atc personnel (fss)
11. (c) information unclear - atc personnel (fss)
----------
Occurrence #4: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
12. Remedial action - attempted - pilot in command
13. (f) excessive workload (task overload) - pilot in command
14. (f) excessive workload (task overload) - copilot/second pilot
----------
Occurrence #5: loss of engine power (total) - nonmechanical
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
----------
Occurrence #6: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3C in Dallas: 7 killed

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1985 at 1714 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-3

Operator:

Century Equipment

Registration:

N711Y

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Guntersville - Dallas

MSN:

13658

YOM:

1944

Location:

Dallas-Love Field

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5700

Captain / Total hours on type:

150.00

Circumstances:

At 1708:48, while cruising at 6,000 feet, a pilot of N711Y advised ATC, 'I think I'd like to turn around, head for Texarkana here, I've got a little problem.' He was provided a vector and advised of closest airports. Shortly after, he stated he would be unable to reach the airports. At 1711:49, he said there was smoke in the cockpit. While landing in a field at 1714, the aircraft hit wires and a pole then continued into trees where it was extensively damaged by impact and fire. The crew egressed thru the cockpit windows. The passengers did not escape. During flight, the crew was unable to start the cabin heater; despite repeated attempts by the captain. Smoke then entered the cabin. Fresh air vents and cockpit windows were opened, but smoke became dense. The crew had difficulty seeing. The oxygen system and hand held fire extinguishers were not used. Fasteners for the heater door were found unfastened. Examination indicated the fire originated in the aft cabin area, right hand side, at or near the floor line. The ignition and fuel sources were not determined. Among those killed were the American singer and actor Ricky Nelson and his girlfriend Helen Blair as well as five members of his band 'Stone Canyon'.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: fire
Phase of operation: cruise
Findings
1. (c) fuselage, cabin - fire
2. (c) reason for occurrence undetermined
3. (f) fuselage, cabin - smoke
4. (f) fuselage, crew compartment - smoke
5. (f) emergency procedure - not followed - pilot in command
6. (f) checklist - not used
7. (f) oxygen system - not used
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with object
Phase of operation: landing - flare/touchdown
Findings
8. (f) object - wire,transmission
9. (f) object - utility pole
----------
Occurrence #4: on ground/water collision with object
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
10. (f) terrain condition - tree(s)

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-325 Navajo C/R in Junction

Date & Time: Dec 29, 1985 at 1630 LT

Type of aircraft:

Piper PA-31-310 Navajo

Operator:

W. D. Norton

Registration:

N27842

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Junction - Phoenix

MSN:

31-7912055

YOM:

1979

Location:

Junction-Kimble County

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3200

Captain / Total hours on type:

420.00

Aircraft flight hours:

1490

Circumstances:

During initial climb after takeoff the pilot noticed oil streaming out from the oil filler access door on the right engine cowling. He elected to continue climbing and make a teardrop turn back to the airport and land in the opposite direction from which he had departed. He announced his intentions on unicom radio. Another pilot responded that he was presently on the runway but would clear it as soon as possible. The subject pilot then decided to make a go around. During this time the right front seat passenger stated he observed flames in the right engine cowl. The pilot shut down the engine and feathered the propeller. He added full power to the left engine and retracted the landing gear and flaps. He was unable to maintain altitude and decided to make a forced landing straight ahead in an open field. He had to pull up once to avoid a power line and maneuver to avoid an antenna. He made a successful forced landing and all occupants exited. The flames quickly spread and the aircraft was consumed by ground fire.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (partial) - nonmechanical
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
1. (c) lubricating system - open
2. (c) aircraft preflight - inadequate - pilot in command
3. (c) fluid, oil - loss, partial
4. (c) procedures/directives - improper - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: fire
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
Findings
5. (c) remedial action - not understood - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: forced landing
Phase of operation: descent - emergency

Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 35A in College Station: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 12, 1985 at 1921 LT

Type of aircraft:

Learjet 35

Operator:

Registration:

N723GL

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

College Station - Houston

MSN:

35-107

YOM:

1977

Location:

College Station

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

20500

Captain / Total hours on type:

4000.00

Aircraft flight hours:

8963

Circumstances:

The aircraft rolled to the right and crashed after a catastrophic (uncontained) failure of the right engine during takeoff for a night flight. The right engine fan rotor disc separated from the hub which damaged the cowling and some disc fragments buried in the fuselage but without damage to the flight controls. The drag created by the loss of thrust and the distorted cowling led to yaw and roll with loss of control of the aircraft. The fan failure propagated from a low grade fatigue crack on the high time fan which was not detected by the visual inspection procedures existing at the time. The manufacturer has since improved the manufacturing and inspection techniques. An AD 86-04-02 was issued on 2/14/86 which deals with fan removal from service according to an operating cycle schedule.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (total) - mech failure/malf
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
1. (c) compressor assembly, forward fan - fatigue
2. (c) compressor assembly, forward fan - failure, total
3. (c) compressor assembly, forward fan - separation
4. (f) insufficient standards/requirements - manufacturer
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
5. Directional control - not possible - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled

Final Report:

Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2B-20 Marquise in El Paso: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 16, 1985 at 2301 LT

Type of aircraft:

Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquise

Operator:

Air Exchange

Registration:

N23CD

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Albuquerque – El Paso

MSN:

142

YOM:

1969

Location:

El Paso

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

9500

Captain / Total hours on type:

1200.00

Circumstances:

The pilot canceled his IFR flight plan and attempted to fly VFR at a relatively low altitude over mountainous terrain with low scattered clouds on a dark night. He reported a large lighted area as being downtown El Paso when in reality it was most likely Coronado Hills, a development on the west side of Franklin Mountain located approximately 4 miles north of the south end of the mountain. This was probably due to having just descended from IFR conditions into VFR conditions. His familiarity with the area, combined with his method of flight operation (as related by a professional acquaintance), probably gave a false sense of security and overconfidence in his personal ability. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: in flight encounter with weather
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
1. (f) in-flight planning/decision - poor - pilot in command
2. (c) vfr flight into imc - inadvertent - pilot in command
3. (c) vfr procedures - improper use of - pilot in command
4. (f) weather condition - clouds
5. (f) light condition - dark night
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
6. (c) became lost/disoriented - misjudged - pilot in command
7. (f) overconfidence in personal ability - pilot in command
8. (f) terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 441 Conquest in Dallas: 4 killed

Date & Time: Oct 1, 1985 at 1328 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 441 Conquest

Operator:

Rosewood Enterprises

Registration:

N400BG

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

New Orleans - Dallas

MSN:

441-0069

YOM:

1978

Location:

Dallas

Country:

Region:

Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

7000

Captain / Total hours on type:

2200.00

Aircraft flight hours:

2227

Circumstances:

A student pilot in a Cessna 152, N5522L, had departed Redbird Airport at Dallas. He was practicing solo maneuvers in a privately designated practice area that overlapped the extended inbound course to runway 31L and 31R at Love Field. At the same time, a Cessna 441, N400BG, was being vectored for a back course ILS to rwy 31R. DFW approach control cleared N400BG to continue descending to 3,000 feet and fly heading 290°. While N400BG was descending thru approximately 3,600 feet, about 14 miles southeast of Love Field, the two aircraft collided. The Cessna 152 pilot was maneuvering at or near the edge of the practice area when the collision occurred. An investigation revealed the Cessna 152 had just completed an approximately 180° turn toward an easterly heading. Both aircraft were demolished in a quartering head-on collision. Radar info from both aircraft was displayed on the controller's scope. The Cessna 152 was depicted as a 1200 beacon code; however, it was not equipped with a mode C (altitude reporting) transponder. The controller did not provide a traffic advisory for the Cessna 441 pilot; but, in this situation, an advisory was not mandatory. All five pilot on both aircraft were killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: midair collision
Phase of operation: descent
Findings
1. (f) in-flight planning/decision - improper - pilot of other aircraft
2. (f) monitoring - inadequate - atc personnel(dep/apch)
3. (c) visual lookout - inadequate - pilot in command
4. (c) visual lookout - inadequate - pilot of other aircraft

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601P) in San Angelo

Date & Time: Aug 24, 1985 at 1700 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Homer Allen Anderson

Registration:

N8045J

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

San Angelo - San Angelo

MSN:

61-0528-222

YOM:

1978

Location:

San Angelo-Mathis Field

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1386

Captain / Total hours on type:

35.00

Aircraft flight hours:

897

Circumstances:

The pilot had recently purchased the aircraft and received 25 hours dual instruction to comply with his insurance requirements. Shortly thereafter he went out solo to practice steep turns. He climbed to 12,500 feet and leveled off. He then rolled into a 60° left bank at 200 knots airspeed by applying left aileron and back pressure. He then applied moderate left rudder. At this time the nose came up, the right wing came over the top, the nose tucked down and the aircraft entered a steep nose down spin. In his attempt to stop the spin the pilot shut down both engines. He got the spin stopped after 15 to 20 turns. He started pulling the nose up and the stall buffet was felt. Alt was 500 feet agl at this time and he was unable to restart the engines. He then made a gear up landing in a pasture which resulted in destruction of the aircraft. The pilot was uninjured.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: maneuvering
Findings
1. (c) stall/spin - inadvertent - pilot in command
2. (f) in-flight planning/decision - poor - pilot in command
3. (c) lack of total experience in type of aircraft - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of engine power
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Findings
4. (c) powerplant controls - improper use of - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: forced landing
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
----------
Occurrence #4: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: landing - flare/touchdown
Findings
5. (f) terrain condition - rough/uneven
6. (c) wheels up landing - intentional - pilot in command

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas TB-26B Invader in Paris

Date & Time: Aug 17, 1985 at 0945 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas A-26 Invader

Operator:

Jim Ricketts

Registration:

N190M

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Delivery

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Paris - Fargo

MSN:

27435

YOM:

1944

Location:

Paris-Cox Field

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:

9485

Captain / Total hours on type:

1050.00

Circumstances:

The aircraft had not flown for two years and was being checked out for a ferry flight to the USAF Air Museum in Fargo, ND. During initial climb from Cox Field at Paris, TX, the left engine lost total power and the right engine lost partial power. An off airport forced landing was attempted, however, the aircraft impacted the terrain and trees. The reason for the power loss was not determined. Both pilots escaped with minor injuries.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of engine power
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
1. (c) reason for occurrence undetermined
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with object
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
Findings
2. (f) object - tree(s)
3. (f) airport/facilities - none suitable
----------
Occurrence #4: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 200 Super King Air in Quinlan

Date & Time: Aug 12, 1985 at 1015 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Jet Fleet

Registration:

N100HC

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Dallas - Dallas

MSN:

BB-98

YOM:

1976

Location:

Quinlan

Country:

Region: