Cessna 340 | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

On final approach to Phoenix-Sky Harbor Airport, the right engine failed. The pilot lost control of the airplane that lost height, struck power cables and crashed in flames onto a house. The pilot, sole on board, was killed and the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.

Probable cause:

Engine failure caused by a mismanagement of fuel. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Fuel starvation,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Failed to use checklist,
- High obstructions,
- Complete engine failure,
- Fuel selector on auxiliary tanks,
- Propeller not feathered.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 340 on Mt Bond: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 24, 1974

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 340

Operator:

Aircraft Mobilehomes

Registration:

N5AM

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Whitefield - Rockland

MSN:

340-0010

YOM:

1971

Location:

Mt Bond

New Hampshire

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

6000

Captain / Total hours on type:

1000.00

Circumstances:

After departure from Whitefield-Mt Washington Airport, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity, turbulences and fog. While cruising at an altitude of 9,000 feet, he cancelled his IFR flight plan when the airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed on Mt Bond located 15 miles south of Whitefield. The wreckage was found later and both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled descent following improper in-flight decisions on part of the pilot. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Thunderstorm activity,
- Turbulence associated with clouds and thunderstorm,
- High obstructions,
- Fog,
- Departed IFR but cancelled the flight plan at 9,000 feet,
- Hit mountain slope at 4,698 feet elevation.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 340A in Gander: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 31, 1973 at 2350 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 340

Operator:

Registration:

N7691Q

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Delivery

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Wichita – Portland – Gander

MSN:

340A-0190

YOM:

1973

Location:

Gander

Newfoundland & Labrador

Country:

Canada

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The pilot, sole on board, was completing a delivery flight from Wichita to France via Portland and Gander. The approach to Gander was initiated by night and good weather conditions. On final, the pilot descended too low when the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed few km short of runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed. Still owned by Cessna Aircraft, the airplane was on its way to France to be delivered to its future operator Flo Air.

Probable cause:

Improper IFR operation on part of the pilot who misjudged distance and altitude on final approach. The following factors were reported:
- High obstructions,
- Visual conditions,
- Dark night,
- No visual reference.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 340 in Kingman: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 10, 1970 at 1437 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 340

Operator:

Registration:

N2340C

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Test

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Kingman - Kingman

MSN:

340-0672

YOM:

1970

Location:

Kingman-Clyde Cessna Field

Kansas

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1649

Captain / Total hours on type:

1.00

Circumstances:

The pilot, sole on board, departed Kingman-Clyde Cessna Field on a local test flight on this first Cessna 340 prototype. While flying in the vicinity of the airfield, he lost control of the airplane that crashed in an open field. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled descent caused by the failure of the elevator tab control system. The following factors were reported:
- Elevator tab control system improperly installed,
- Improper maintenance,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Separation in flight,
- Bolt improperly secured in elevator trim push-pull rod came out and caused the loss of the horizontal stab assembly.

Final Report: