Beechcraft 90 King Air

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Operator:

Kenai Air Services

Registration:

N2400X

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Kenai - Dutch Harbor

MSN:

LJ-18

YOM:

1965

Location:

Akutan (Akutan Island)

Alaska

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

6350

Captain / Total hours on type:

61.00

Circumstances:

While flying along the Aleutian Islands on a charter flight from Kenai to Dutch Harbor, the crew realized his fuel reserve was low and decided to reduce his altitude and to ditch the aircraft off Akutan Island. All five occupants were quickly rescued while the aircraft was lost.

Probable cause:

Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the crew. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Miscalculation of fuel consumption,
- Airways facilities,
- Pilot ditched the aircraft due to low fuel state,
- Driftwood Bay beacon inoperative due to antenna damage.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C90 King Air in Charleston: 6 killed

Date & Time: Nov 4, 1975 at 0814 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

McJunkin Corporation

Registration:

N221MJ

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Charleston-Yaeger (Kanawha)

Schedule:

Charleston - Wilmington

MSN:

LJ-512

YOM:

1971

Location:

West Virginia

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4596

Captain / Total hours on type:

3923.00

Circumstances:

At liftoff, one of the engine failed. The crew lost control of the airplane that lost height and crashed in flames in woods downhill of dirt bank. The aircraft was destroyed and all six occupants have been killed.

Probable cause:

Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported.
- Delayed action in aborting takeoff.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C90 King Air in Grand Rapids: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 18, 1975 at 0033 LT

Type of aircraft:

United Power Associates Company

Operator:

Registration:

N4146S

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Grand Rapids-Itasca County

Schedule:

Blaine - Grand Rapids

MSN:

LJ-646

YOM:

1974

Location:

Minnesota

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5411

Captain / Total hours on type:

195.00

Circumstances:

On final approach to Grand Rapids-Itasca County by night, the pilot passed below the minimum descent altitude when the twin engine airplane struck tree tops and crashed in flames in a wooded area located about 1-1,5 mile short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed, the passenger was killed and the pilot was seriously injured.

Probable cause:

Improper IFR operation from the pilot who failed to follow the approved procedures. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Weather below minimums,
- The pilot descended below MDA.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft B90 King Air in Joliet: 4 killed

Date & Time: Feb 15, 1975 at 1450 LT

Type of aircraft:

Ronald H. Galowich Associates

Operator:

Registration:

N2GG

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Peoria - Chicago - Joliet

MSN:

LJ-462

YOM:

1970

Location:

Joliet

Illinois

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2130

Captain / Total hours on type:

415.00

Circumstances:

While approaching Joliet Airport in poor weather conditions, the twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed in an open field located few miles from the airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all four occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

The exact cause of the uncontrolled descent on final approach could not be determined. The following findings were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Icing conditions.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft A90 King Air in Washington DC: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 25, 1975 at 1210 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N57V

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

City

Schedule:

Columbus - Washington DC

MSN:

LJ-268

YOM:

1967

Location:

Washington DC

District of Columbia

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

9745

Captain / Total hours on type:

50.00

Circumstances:

On a VOR/DME approach to Washington-National Airport, the crew encountered low clouds and failed to realize his altitude was insufficient. On final, the twin engine airplane struck a radio antenna. Upon impact, the left wing was torn off and the aircraft crashed in flames in the garden of the American University campus. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all five occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

The exact cause of the accident could not be determined. The following findings were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- High obstructions,
- Separation of the left wing in flight,
- Descended below minimum approach segment altitude during VOR/DME approach,
- Hit radio tower, causing the left wing to separate.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-90 King Air in Knoxville: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 16, 1974 at 1048 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

West Coal Corporation

Registration:

N113TC

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Knoxville-Downtown Island

Schedule:

Oneida - Haleyville

MSN:

LJ-22

YOM:

1965

Location:

Tennessee

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5397

Captain / Total hours on type:

36.00

Circumstances:

En route from Oneida to Haileyville, the pilot informed ATC about the failure of the right engine and was cleared to divert to Knoxville-Downtown Island Airport for an emergency landing. On short final, the pilot realized he was not properly aligned with the runway centerline and decided to initiate a go-around when he lost control of the airplane that crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Engine failure on approach due to inadequate maintenance and inspection. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failure of the lubricating system: lines, hoses, fitting,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Incorrect trim setting,
- Right engine oil line to cooler fitting disconnected,
- Full right trim.

Final Report:

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

Date & Time: Dec 20, 1973 at 1317 LT

Type of aircraft:

Federal Land Bank of Columbia

Operator:

Registration:

N711FC

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Edenton - Columbia

MSN:

LJ-516

YOM:

1971

Location:

Columbia

South Carolina

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

6125

Circumstances:

On approach to Columbia Airport, the pilot encountered below minima weather conditions with low ceiling, fog and rain falls. On final, the pilot descended below MDA when the twin engine airplane collided with trees and crashed. The pilot and a passenger were killed while a second passenger was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Improper IFR operation on part of the pilot. The following factors were reported:
- Low ceiling, rain and fog,
- Pilot fatigue,
- High obstructions,
- Weather conditions below minimums,
- Descended below MDA.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E90 King Air in Pratt: 4 killed

Date & Time: May 10, 1973 at 1415 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

YV-T-ADJ

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Wichita - Wichita

MSN:

LW-53

YOM:

1973

Location:

Pratt

Kansas

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3305

Captain / Total hours on type:

93.00

Circumstances:

The crew was completing a local training flight out from Wichita prior to deliver the aircraft in Venezuela. While cruising at low height, the pilot-in-command lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed in an open field located near Pratt. The airplane was destroyed and all four occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Loss of control after the pilot-in-command failed to maintain flying speed. The following factors were reported:
- Customer pilot training flight,
- Pilot-in-command non instrument rated,
- Gear down, flaps in approach position,
- Pilot-in-command in right seat.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft A90 King Air in Portland: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 13, 1973 at 1138 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N791K

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Portland - Portland

MSN:

LJ-253

YOM:

1967

Location:

Portland

Maine

Country:

Region: