Beechcraft 80 Queen Air

Operator:

Registration:

VH-FDR

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Brisbane - Rockhampton

MSN:

LD-234

YOM:

1965

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

This aircraft had only recently been acquired by the company. It had a fuel system different to other aircraft of the same type in the fleet. On the other aircraft there were three detents for each fuel selector, On, Off, Crossfeed. On this aircraft there were four detents, Off, Outboard, Inboard, Crossfeed. The pilot had not previously flown this aircraft. After a flight time of about 110 minutes the pilot reported that both engines had stopped and he was unable to access fuel from the outboard tanks. When the wreckage was located no evidence of fuel was found in the inboard tanks. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

An inspection of the wreckage did not reveal any fault with the engines or fuel system which may have contributed to the occurrence. It was evident that the engines had stopped when the fuel from the inboard tanks was exhausted. A quantity of fuel remained in the outboard tanks. The day prior to this flight the pilot was briefed on the fuel system of VH-FDR by the company check pilot. The briefing was carried out with the use of the Pilots Operating Manual for the aircraft. Because VH-FDR was not available at the time, the pilot was not able to study the fuel management panel in daylight hours. It is not known if the pilot familiarised himself with the panel before commencing the flight. The aircraft is normally operated with the inboard tanks selected for takeoff. Evidence was obtained from flight documentation found in the wreckage which indicated that the pilot had changed the fuel selections from Inboard, about 30 minutes before he reported that the engines had stopped. However, the exhaustion of the fuel contained in the inboard tanks indicates that the selectors could not have been correctly positioned in the detents for the outboard tanks. Tests carried out found that if the selectors were positioned between the inboard and outboard detents, sufficient fuel, to allow the engines to be operated, would still be drawn from the inboard tanks. The reason the pilot was unable to access fuel from the outboard tanks could not be determined.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-A80 Queen Air in Soldotna: 9 killed

Date & Time: Feb 4, 1985 at 1951 LT

Type of aircraft:

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

Registration:

N50NP

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Anchorage - Soldotna

MSN:

LD-231

YOM:

1965

Flight number:

NPA1802

Location:

Soldotna

Alaska

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

7288

Captain / Total hours on type:

2985.00

Aircraft flight hours:

12106

Circumstances:

During arrival, the crew of NP flight 1802 contacted the company weather observer at Soldotna who advised the weather was: wind calm, ceiling 600 to 800 feet, visibility 8 to 10 miles, no precipitations. They made an NDB approach, but missed the approach and requested another approach. Approximately one minute later, the crew reported the aircraft had accumulated a heavy load of ice. They could have diverted nearby to Kenai for an ILS approach, but elected to make a VOR approach back to Soldotna. While being vectored, they made two more checks with the weather observer who advised the weather had deteriorated to below minimums and recommended diverting, but the crew did not acknowledge. Subsequently, the aircraft collided with trees on high terrain approximately 1.5 mile southeast of the airport. There was evidence the aircraft was circling when it crashed. Circling was not authorized south of runway 07/25. Investigations revealed recurring problems with the anti-ice system, its 'single' mode was inoperative, two de-ice boots were missing from prop blades. Weather station listed only one lighted marker (1/4 mile away) for visibility reference; minimum landing visibility was one mile; ceilometer was inoperative. No FAA inspection of weather station in 2 years. Icing forecasted. All nine occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: in flight encounter with weather
Phase of operation: approach
Findings
1. (f) anti-ice/deice system - inadequate
2. (f) maintenance - inadequate - company maintenance personnel
3. (f) inadequate surveillance of operation - faa (organization)
4. (f) operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed - pilot in command
5. (f) other airport/runway maintenance - not maintained - company/operator management
6. (f) inadequate surveillance of operation - faa (organization)
7. (f) meteorological service - inadequate - company/operator management
8. (f) inadequate surveillance of operation - faa (organization)
9. (f) weather condition - low ceiling
10. (f) weather condition - fog
11. (f) weather condition - rain
12. (f) weather condition - icing conditions
13. (f) flight into known adverse weather - performed - pilot in command
14. (f) wing - ice
15. (f) weather condition - below approach/landing minimums
16. Missed approach - initiated - pilot in command
17. (f) not performed - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with object
Phase of operation: circling (ifr)
Findings
18. (c) in-flight planning/decision - improper - pilot in command
19. (c) missed approach - improper - pilot in command
20. (f) terrain condition - high terrain
21. (c) minimum descent altitude - not maintained - pilot in command
22. (f) object - tree(s)

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-B80 Queen Air in Veracruz: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 12, 1984

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N30276

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

LD-326

YOM:

1967

Location:

Veracruz

Country:

Mexico

Region:

Central America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances, killing both occupants.

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-A80 Queen Air in Edison

Date & Time: Oct 12, 1983 at 2130 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

William Craig

Registration:

N62TG

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

LD-215

YOM:

1965

Location:

Edison

Georgia

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

At approximately 2130 edt, the aircraft collided with a tree while the pilot was making a low pass over a wooded area. After hitting the tree, the plane crashed into a pond. Reportedly, the aircraft had returned from Columbia (South America) and the aircrew were preparing to drop duffel bags of cocaine. When the aircraft hit the tree, the pilot was flying while the other person was getting ready to throw out the bags. Both occupants were seriously injured.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: in flight collision with object
Phase of operation: maneuvering
Findings
1. (f) light condition - night
2. (c) judgment - poor - pilot in command
3. (f) overconfidence in personal ability - pilot in command
4. (f) low pass - performed - pilot in command
5. (c) proper altitude - not maintained - pilot in command
6. (f) object - tree(s)
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-80 Queen Air in Miami

Date & Time: Sep 19, 1983 at 1643 LT

Type of aircraft:

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

Registration:

N55ED

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Test

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Miami - Miami

MSN:

LD-3

YOM:

1962

Location:

Miami-Opa Locka

Florida

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

368

Captain / Total hours on type:

2.00

Circumstances:

Several days prior, a fam flight was intended in the aircraft to be given to the pilot by another person who represented himself as a pilot. The flight was cancelled due to a problem with the left engine. On the day of the accident, the other person told the pilot that the engine was repaired and they proceeded to conduct a local test flight with the other person conducting the takeoff from the left seat. They reportedly switched seats prior to landing. The approach appeared normal until just prior to landing. A burst of sound from the engines was heard and the aircraft yawed and rolled left. The left wing impacted the ground and the aircraft cartwheeled. The last logbook entry was in 10/82. The owner could not be located. The other pilot could not be located and there is no record of him being issued a pilot's certificate. During teardown of the left engine the servo fuel injector was found rigged extremely lean at the idle stop.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (total) - mech failure/malf
Phase of operation: approach - VFR pattern - final approach
Findings
1. (c) fuel system,injector - improper
2. (c) maintenance, adjustment - improper - other maintenance personnel
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: go-around (VFR)
Findings
3. (c) judgment - poor - pilot in command
4. (c) aborted landing - performed - pilot in command
5. (c) go-around - initiated - pilot in command
6. (c) aircraft handling - uncontrolled - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: go-around (VFR)

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-B80 Queen Air off Bimini: 3 killed

Date & Time: Nov 5, 1982 at 1654 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

L. F. Vanstone Jr.

Registration:

N1HQ

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Fort Lauderdale - Eleuthera Island

MSN:

LD-275

YOM:

1966

Location:

Bimini

Country:

Bahamas

Region:

Central America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1395

Circumstances:

The flight departed Fort Lauderdale at 1626 and at 1654 in the vicinity of Bimini was advised to contact Nassau radio. The flight failed to contact Nassau and there were no further communications with the flight. Search efforts produced negative results. IMC prevailed on the proposed route of flight. Radar depictions showed the most severe weather to be between Miami and Bimini. Sigmet 7 issued at 1455 showed an area of embedded thunderstorms extending to a point 100 miles east of Miami with tops to 40,000 feet that was moving ne at 15 knots. The wreckage and all three occupants were not recovered.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: missing aircraft
Phase of operation: unknown
Findings
1. (c) reason for occurrence undetermined
2. (f) weather condition - thunderstorm

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-B80 Queen Air in Groveland: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 28, 1981

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N1028C

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

LD-355

YOM:

1967

Location:

Groveland

Florida

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

8000

Circumstances:

While taking off from an unsuitable terrain in Groveland, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed in a wooded and sandy area, bursting into flames. Both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Collision with trees due to an inadequate preflight preparation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot delayed action in aborting takeoff,
- High vegetation,
- Sandy ground,
- Isolated area with narrow road down center,
- Weeds and brush on strip 12 inches high,
- Soft sand.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-A80 Queen Air near Gerlach

Date & Time: Jul 17, 1981

Type of aircraft:

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

Soren Edward Jensen Jr.

Registration:

N6867Q

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Illegal (smuggling)

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

MSN:

LD-223

YOM:

1965

Location:

Gerlach

Nevada

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The pilot was attempting to land in a rough terrain when the airplane crash landed, lost its undercarriage and came to rest in flames. The pilot was injured while the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Gear collapsed on touchdown after the pilot selected an unsuitable terrain. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Rough/uneven terrain,
- Marijuana residue found at crash site.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-A80 Queen Air near Madisonville: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jul 2, 1981 at 1230 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Universal Airways - USA

Registration:

N100UV

Flight Phase:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Houston - Dallas

MSN:

LD-151

YOM:

1964

Location:

Madisonville

Texas

Country:

Region: