Crash of a Beechcraft 100 King Air in Auburn: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 27, 1977 at 0740 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N925BD
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Birmingham - Auburn
MSN:
B-4
YOM:
1970
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
15000
Captain / Total hours on type:
1500.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Auburn-Opelika-Robert G. Pitts (University Regional) Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with low ceiling and fog. On final, the twin engine airplane struck trees, stalled and crashed in a wooded area located few hundred yards short of runway threshold. Two occupants were injured while a pilot was killed. It was reported that trees in area of first impact were about 73 feet below airport elevation and 650 feet below MDA.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees on final approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Visibility half a mile or less,
- Sky obscured.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft A100 King Air in Sturgate

Date & Time: Jan 12, 1977
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
G-BABX
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Leavesden - Sturgate
MSN:
B-141
YOM:
1973
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On approach to Sturgate Airport, while completing a last turn to join the approach path, the twin engine airplane stalled and crashed in a field. All five occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Possible stall due to insufficient speed during the last turn. Also, accumulation of ice was suspected.

Crash of a Beechcraft A100 King Air near San Luis Potosí: 5 killed

Date & Time: Oct 13, 1976
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XB-NUV
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
B-128
YOM:
1972
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
En route, the twin engine airplane went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in an uninhabited area located about 50 km northwest of San Luis Potosí. All five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the loss of control occurred while the aircraft was flying in thunderstorm activity.

Crash of a Beechcraft A100 King Air in Hilton Head: 6 killed

Date & Time: Apr 26, 1975 at 2055 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N700SP
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Savannah - Hilton Head - Jackson
MSN:
B-92
YOM:
1972
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
15657
Captain / Total hours on type:
549.00
Circumstances:
The aircraft was ferried from Savannah, Georgia, to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, for a corporate flight to Jackson, Mississippi. The aircraft was owned and operated by Stribling-Puckett, Inc. The flight to Hilton Head Island was completed without incident. The pilot of N700SP loaded the passenger baggage; a witness to the loading indicated that the pilot loaded the baggage carefully in the baggage compartment in the aft end of the cabin. At 21:45, the eight passengers boarded the aircraft with one passenger seated in the copilot's seat. The engines were started and the aircraft was taxied to runway 3 for takeoff. The aircraft was taxied onto the 300-foot overrun on the south end of the runway, turned 180° on the runway, and made a "running" takeoff. Two pilots, one inside the terminal and another outside, stated that they did not believe the engines were developing full power during the takeoff. However, there were no unusual sounds, and the engines were operating "smoothly." Both of these pilots believed that the takeoff run was excessively long. The aircraft used about 3,900 feet of pavement to takeoff including most of the 300-foot overrun where the takeoff began. After takeoff, the aircraft was leveled off and was flown straight and level for about 1,200 feet. There it struck the top of a tree which was 40 to 50 feet above the ground. After impact with the trees, the aircraft continued 1,200 to 1,300 feet and struck several other trees before it came to rest right side up. Fire erupted some distance behind the aircraft, but progressed toward the aircraft slowly. The slow progression of the fire allowed the three survivors time to escape through a hole in the left front side of the fuselage. Roger W. Stribling, Jr., Vice President of the Stribling-Puckett, Inc, was killed in the crash. Company President Ben Puckett suffered a broken back in the accident.
Those killed were:
Roger Stribling Jr.,
Max Williams,
Henry Clements,
Clark Boyce Sr.,
Eddie Stanton,
Gordon Ellison.
Probable cause:
The failure of the pilot to maintain a positive rate of climb after a takeoff toward an unlighted area in night, visual meteorological conditions. The failure to maintain a positive rate of climb resulted in a collision with trees in the departure path. An overweight condition of the aircraft may have contributed to the pilot's actions. Investigation showed that the aircraft would have been 436 lbs over the maximum gross takeoff weight, with the center of gravity near the aft limit.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 100 King Air in Birmingham: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 1, 1974 at 2032 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N50PC
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Chantilly - Birmingham
MSN:
B-19
YOM:
1970
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
4393
Captain / Total hours on type:
1991.00
Circumstances:
On a night approach to Birmingham Airport, the crew reported trim trouble to ATC and decided to initiate a go-around. While trying to gain altitude, the crew lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed near the airport. Both pilots were killed while both passengers were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
The crew failed to obtain/maintain flying speed, causing the aircraft to stall. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions or planning,
- Airframe ice,
- Icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain,
- Ice engine,
- The pilot commenced a go-around, reported trim trouble and lost control in steep nose up attitude.
Final Report: