Crash of a Cessna 340A near Klöntal: 5 killed

Date & Time: Aug 24, 2000 at 2246 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 340
Operator:
Registration:
D-ICEN
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Albenga – Stuttgart
MSN:
340A-0555
YOM:
1978
Location:
Klöntal
Schwyz
Country:
Switzerland
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
3500
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Albenga Airport on a private flight to Stuttgart, carrying four passengers and one pilot. En route, while cruising over the Swiss Alps, weather conditions deteriorated with thunderstorm activity and turbulences. The pilot lost control of the airplane that dove into the ground and crashed on the slope of a mountain located near Klöntal. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all five occupants were killed. The wreckage was found at an altitude of 1,800 metres.
Probable cause:
The following findings were identified:
- Poor flight preparation and planning,
- The pilot took the decision to continue under VFR mode in IMC conditions without appropriate training,
- Loss of control by the pilot in IMC conditions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 340 in Griesheim: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 9, 2000 at 1435 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 340
Operator:
Aircraft Guaranty Title & Trust
Registration:
N4424X
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Zweibrücken – Egelsbach
MSN:
340-0217
YOM:
1973
Location:
Griesheim-August-Euler
Hesse
Country:
Germany
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
1829
Captain / Total hours on type:
28.00
Aircraft flight hours:
4800
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Zweibrücken Airport on a VFR flight to Egelsbach, carrying two passengers and one pilot. Following an uneventful flight at an altitude of 5,000 feet and while approaching the destination, the pilot informed ATC about technical problems and elected to divert to Griesheim-August-Euler Airport. On short final, while completing a left turn, the aircraft stalled and crashed 160 metres short of runway 25 threshold, bursting into flames. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the left engine because the fuel selector valve was in OFF position. For unknown reasons, the pilot failed to feather the left propeller and on short final, the aircraft's speed was below minimum, causing the aircraft to stall and to crash. No technical anomalies were found on the aircraft.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 340A in Phillipsburg: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 8, 1999 at 1235 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 340
Operator:
Irwin P. Pochter
Registration:
N1372G
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Palwaukee – Pueblo
MSN:
340A-0071
YOM:
1976
Location:
Phillipsburg
Kansas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
3015
Aircraft flight hours:
2220
Circumstances:
The flight was executing a precautionary landing at the airport due to a reported fuel transfer problem. Witnesses described hearing engine variances and observed the aircraft roll and impact the ground nose first. There was a post crash fire mainly confined to the right wing area. Inspection of the flight control system, engines, and propellers did not reveal any preexisting anomalies with these systems. The left fuel selector and left fuel pumps passed functional tests. The right fuel selector and right fuel pumps could not be tested due to fire damage.
Probable cause:
The pilot not maintaining flying speed. Factors to the accident were the fuel transfer problem of unknown origin.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 340A in Chesapeake: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 16, 1999 at 0950 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 340
Operator:
James R. Browning
Registration:
N13DT
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Chesapeake – Bunnell
MSN:
340A-0063
YOM:
1976
Location:
Chesapeake
Virginia
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
4500
Captain / Total hours on type:
10.00
Aircraft flight hours:
3575
Circumstances:
After takeoff, the airplane returned to the departure airport for an emergency landing. The aircraft was observed in the vicinity of the runway threshold, about 500 feet above the ground, with it's left propeller feathered, when it entered a left bank which increased to about 90 degrees. The airplane then entered a spin, descended, and impacted the ground. Examination of wreckage revealed the camshaft of the left engine had failed as a result of a fatigue crack. No other abnormalities were observed of airframe or engine. The left engine had accumulated about 1,200 hours since overhaul. The pilot purchased the airplane about 1 month prior to the accident. At that time, he reported 700 hours of flight experience in multi-engine airplanes, of which, 10 hours were in the make and model of the accident airplane.
Probable cause:
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a single engine emergency landing, after experiencing a failure of the left engine. A factor in this accident was the failure of the left engine's camshaft due to a fatigue crack.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 340A in Chicago: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 1, 1998 at 2200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 340
Operator:
Kenneth E. Asher
Registration:
N5340F
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Chicago - Louisville
MSN:
340A-0667
YOM:
1978
Location:
Chicago-Merrill C. Meigs
Illinois
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
1600
Captain / Total hours on type:
500.00
Aircraft flight hours:
3036
Circumstances:
The pilot reported the airplane decelerated during the takeoff roll. He applied the brakes and as he advanced the throttles to full power the airplane accelerated. The airplane cleared the end of the runway then stalled into Lake Michigan, flipped inverted and sank. One passenger reported that it felt as if someone put on the brakes. One passenger drowned. The pilot used 32' of manifold pressure for takeoff versus 37.3' as placarded. The pilot operating handbook lists normal takeoff speed as 91 KIAS, however the airplane was equipped with vortex generators. The pilot reported looking for 105 to 110 KIAS for takeoff. No evidence was found of the pilot having a multi-engine rating. No evidence of a mechanical failure/malfunction was found.
Probable cause:
The pilot's improper use of the throttle in not using full power for takeoff, the pilot's failure to use proper aborted takeoff procedures, and the inadvertent stall/mush. A factor associated with the accident was inadequate preflight/planning by the pilot.
Final Report:
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