Beechcraft 65 Queen Air

Pilot reported level at 6,000 feet; no further transmissions were received. Radar data shows that after 5 minutes at cruise flight ground speed began to slow, and as speed reached 85 knots (VMC is 83 knots) aircraft made a rapid turn to the left and the speed dropped to 74 knots. Radar contact was then lost. Witnesses reported hearing and seeing aircraft with an engine sputtering and quitting, at which time no engine noise was audible. Engine would then restart, and at one point aircraft was observed initiating a climb after engine start. Engine restarted and obtained near full power, and a short time later sound of impact was heard. The left engine fuel servo was found contaminated with corrosion and dirt, and would not allow fuel flow to the engine. The fuel strainer for this engine was installed backwards allowing unfiltered fuel to enter the engine. The left propeller was not feathered and had no signs of rotation under power. Right engine fuel servo also contained corrosion and contamination. The aircraft did not have a current annual inspection. All five occupants were killed.

The instrument rated pilot was en route to his granddaughter's graduation exercises scheduled for the following day. He had received two preflight weather briefings from flight service and he was advised that marginal VFR conditions existed en route, and instrument meteorological conditions at his destination, and that VFRflight was not recommended. A witness who was below the mountain said he heard a low flying aircraft overhead. He stated that he caught a glimpse of the airplane and said it was 'well below the crest of the mountain' heading south. The weather as reported by the witness was about 200 overcast and visibility below 1 mile in fog. He also mentioned that the clouds had obscured the mountain. Shortly thereafter, he heard what was later determined to be the collision. Search personnel located the burning wreckage on top of Mitchells mountain 50 miles north of Charlottesville. Both occupants were killed.

The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff the aircraft yawed to the right, left then right again. The passenger in the copilot seat stated the right engine rpm gauge indication needle was fluctuating. The pilot positioned the right engine mixture control to idle cutoff and the propeller control to feather. The propeller continued to windmill. Unable to maintain altitude, the pilot attempted to land on a highway but the aircraft collided with an unmarked power line, light pole, then the ground and was destroyed by a post crash fire. The right engine was recovered and due to impact damage, the propeller and fuel servo were replaced. The engine was placed on a test stand and was started and found to operate normally. The prop governor and damaged fuel servo were tested and found to operate normally. The damaged propeller was inspected and found to be free of preimpact failure or malfunction. No determination could be made as to the reason for the reported power fluctuation from the right engine. A witness stated gear retraction was delayed after takeoff.

A Beech 65 collided with trees in mountainous terrain after an inflight loss of control. A pilot observed the airplane start a turn to the right, roll right and continued until inverted and enter into a spin. The aircraft was in a steep nose down attitude when it began its pull out. The engines were heard by a ground witness who initially mistook them for an approach motorcycle. The pilot initially flew the aircraft 45 days before the accident and logged 3.5 dual instruction hours. There was no record in the pilot's logbook of any additional flight training since the initial flight. The pilot satisfactorily completed a before in a Cessna 150 four days before the accident. Examination of the wreckage disclosed the right engine had broken exhaust valve, but the left propeller was feathered. There were no preexisting mechanical malfunctions or failures found with the left engine. The aircraft was destroyed and all six occupants were killed.

The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff on a parachute jumping flight the left engine lost power, but a second later power was restored. Soon afterwards a total power loss occurred. According to the pilot, the propeller stopped rotating and did not windmill. He did not feather the left propeller. He made a shallow left turn toward an open field, while trying to return to the airport. He was unable to maintain adequate airspeed or altitude, and in order to maintain aircraft control, he reduced power on the right engine. He made a forced landing in a wheat field. The airplane came to a stop and all occupants escaped the airplane before it caught fire. The examination of the airplane did not disclose evidence of mechanical malfunction.

Crashed while approaching Nassau Airport by night on a flight from Santa Ana, California. Both occupants were injured.

Approximately 10 minutes after takeoff, the pilot stated he was returning to land due to a problem. On final the aircraft rolled inverted and descended nose down into a residence. Engine examination revealed a failed supercharger intermediate drive shaft gear resulting in loss of supercharger on the right engine. The aircraft was approximately 300 lbs over max gross weight. The landing gear was down and the flaps were extended approx 20°. The left throttle was found in the full forward (high power) position. The right prop control was in full decrease rpm, high pitch and the right engine magneto switches were off. Witnesses had observed the aircraft descend to below traffic pattern altitude. At approx 200 feet agl a loud engine noise was heard and the slow flying aircraft pitched up, rolled right and descended vertically about 1/2 mile from the airport. The pilot had not declared an emergency or defined his problem. The pilot's last recorded flight in the Beech 65 was in February 1988. There was no record of a check-out or flight training in the aircraft. Both occupants were killed.

Shortly after takeoff from Winnipeg Airport, the pilot encountered engine problems. The aircraft lost height and crashed on a factory located near the airport. The aircraft was destroyed but all five occupants were rescued.

The aircraft was found crashed in shallow water near Key Largo, FL. Attempts to locate the pilot or current operator were fruitless. The circumstances surrounding the crash and the cause are unknown.

The pilot was observed in the area for several minutes while he was performing steep climbs and descents, low passes, and buzzing. Witnesses reported power was removed from both engines simultaneously, as if the throttles were retarded, followed by a loud pop. The aircraft began to wobble slightly and then a surge of engine power was heard only seconds before tree impact occurred. The aircraft then yawed sharply and impacted the ground. The wreckage was found near Montague, about five miles northeast of Bowie Airport, the intended destination. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.