Beechcraft 90 King Air

Great Western Mineral Corporation

Operator:

Registration:

N278DU

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

City

Schedule:

Denver - Richfield

MSN:

LJ-243

YOM:

1967

Location:

Aurora

Colorado

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2715

Captain / Total hours on type:

810.00

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Denver-Stapleton Airport, while climbing, the left engine failed. The pilot lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed in flames in the Aurora district. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all six occupants were killed. There were no injuries on the ground.

Probable cause:

Stall during initial climb due to engine failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failure of the fuel pump system,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Improperly loaded aircraft,
- Left engine boost pump inoperative, switched off,
- Crossfeed off,
- Approximately 700 lbs over max gross weight.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-90 King Air in Houston: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 19, 1978 at 0132 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

J & W Refining Company

Registration:

N2MF

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Houston - Houston

MSN:

LJ-96

YOM:

1966

Location:

Houston

Texas

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2271

Captain / Total hours on type:

117.00

Circumstances:

While flying around Houston Airport by night, the pilot lost control of the airplane that entered a dive and crashed in flames in a field. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Stall and spiral after the pilot failed to maintain flying speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Powerplant - propeller system: governor, erratic.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-A90 King Air in Big Piney: 6 killed

Date & Time: Feb 27, 1978 at 1023 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N878T

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Rangely – Big Piney – Evanston

MSN:

LJ-246

YOM:

1967

Location:

Big Piney

Wyoming

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

10515

Circumstances:

On approach to Big Piney Airport, the crew encountered bad weather conditions with low ceiling and snow. Too low, the twin engine airplane struck the ground and crashed few miles from the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and all six occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain on final approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Snow,
- Weather briefing, transmitted to pilots from Big Piney ground personnel.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-A90 King in Santa María Amajac: 4 killed

Date & Time: Feb 15, 1978 at 1300 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

XA-FOT

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

LJ-168

YOM:

1966

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances, killing all four occupants.

Crash of a Beechcraft B90 King Air in Yazoo City: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 10, 1978 at 1845 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Mississippi Charter

Registration:

N388MC

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Cincinnati - Yazoo City

MSN:

LJ-442

YOM:

1969

Location:

Yazoo City

Mississippi

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4047

Captain / Total hours on type:

3661.00

Circumstances:

On final approach to Yazoo City-Barrier Field, the airplane suffered an engine failure. It entered an uncontrolled descent until it collided with a house located short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were killed. There were no injuries on the ground.

Probable cause:

Engine failure on final approach due to improper maintenance. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Powerplant - accessory drive assembly: bearing, accessory drive shaft,
- Excessive wear/play,
- Complete engine failure,
- Fire after impact.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-A90 King Air off Charleston

Date & Time: Nov 26, 1977 at 1705 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

D & H Corporation

Registration:

N55MG

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Cockburn Harbour - Wilmington

MSN:

LJ-303

YOM:

1967

Location:

Charleston-Intl

South Carolina

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

6630

Captain / Total hours on type:

175.00

Circumstances:

En route from South Caicos to Wilmington, the pilot encountered technical problems with both engines that failed in flight. He reduced his altitude and ditched the airplane into the sea off Charleston, South Carolina. Both occupants were quickly rescued while the aircraft was lost.

Probable cause:

Engine failure in normal cruise due to inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment,
- Improper in-flight decisions or planning,
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Fuel exhaustion,
- Miscalculated fuel consumption,
- Failure of both engines,
- Aircraft came to rest in water,
- Forced landing off airport on water.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C90 King Air in Pontiac: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 23, 1977 at 1409 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Drives Inc.

Registration:

N23796

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Moline - Hot Springs

MSN:

LJ-737

YOM:

1977

Location:

Pontiac

Illinois

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3000

Captain / Total hours on type:

10.00

Circumstances:

While cruising at an altitude of 21,000 feet in marginal weather conditions, the airplane went out of control, spiraled to the ground and crashed in a field. The aircraft was totally destroyed and both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Airframe failure in flight and uncontrolled descent for undetermined reasons. The following findings were reported:
- Overload failure,
- Separation in flight,
- Rudder, horizontal stabilizers, elevators, outboard section of left wing separated in flight.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E90 King Air in Sitka: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jul 31, 1977 at 0130 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

NSD Corporation

Registration:

N4207S

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

King Salmon - Sitka

MSN:

LW-207

YOM:

1977

Location:

Sitka

Alaska

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2800

Captain / Total hours on type:

20.00

Circumstances:

While descending to Sitka in limited visibility, the twin engine airplane struck a mountain and crashed few miles from the destination. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all five occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain on final approach. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper IFR operation,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Mountains adjacent to Sitka obscured.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft A90 King Air in Kankakee

Date & Time: Mar 10, 1977 at 1515 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N34F

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Kankakee-Greater Kankakee

Schedule:

Gary - Kankakee

MSN:

LJ-119

YOM:

1966

Location:

Illinois

Country:

Region: