Crash of a Cessna 402C in Grand Canyon West: 10 killed

Date & Time: Jun 19, 1992 at 1405 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N2715X
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Grand Canyon West - Las Vegas
MSN:
402C-0215
YOM:
1979
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Captain / Total flying hours:
7891
Captain / Total hours on type:
2030.00
Aircraft flight hours:
9266
Circumstances:
Pilot began takeoff on a 5,200 feet dirt runway (upslope to the south, elevation 4,775 feet) with wind from the south at 18-20 knots, density altitude about 7,250 feet. Witnesses observed the aircraft taking off, with the landing gear retracting as it passed their position. Soon thereafter, the pilot transmitted he had 'a problem.' Aircraft was then seen about 200-300 feet agl in right turn, which progressed into a dive. Aircraft impacted in flat attitude 1/2 mile south of runway 17. Passenger video tapes revealed props went out of sync about 6 seconds after takeoff. About 15 seconds later, right prop slowed until blades could be seen turning. Video showed one engine fuel flow at about 90 gph, other engine at minimum setting (about 3 psi), 5° increase in pitch attitude. Exam revealed right engine driven fuel pump drive coupling was scored and only partially engaged. SB ME88-3 complied with; auxiliary fuel pump switches found in low position. Right propeller blades found at fine pitch, lacking rotational damage. Landing gear found up, but unlocked; flaps extended 15°. Emergency procedure training did not replicate high density altitude and max gross weight performance. All 10 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the pilot to follow the emergency procedure (engine failure after takeoff) and his failure to maintain minimum control speed (VMC), which resulted in a loss of aircraft control. Factors related to the accident were failure (disengagement) of the right engine fuel pump drive coupling, high density altitude, and the lack of company training concerning aircraft performance in conditions of high density altitude and heavy gross weight.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402B off The Bahamas

Date & Time: Jun 13, 1992 at 1115 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N402PB
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Treasure Cay - Fort Lauderdale
MSN:
402B-0245
YOM:
1972
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
6574
Captain / Total hours on type:
231.00
Aircraft flight hours:
9097
Circumstances:
During cruise flight, the pilot reported that the right engine cowling partially separated and the left forward cylinder of that engine separated, followed by an engine compartment fire. He attempted to feather the propeller but was unable. He initiated a descent to extinguish the fire and was successful but after leveling off, was unable to maintain directional control. He ditched the airplane and both he and the passenger exited the aircraft. The pilot dragged the seriously injured passenger with him to a nearby island where they were rescued the following day. The aircraft was not recovered; therefore, no determination could be made as to the reason for the separation of the cylinder. Review of the aircraft logbook indicates that on 8/27/91, the n°5 cylinder of the right engine was removed and replaced. Also, the n°1 cylinder was removed and reinstalled following repair. There were no further entries in the aircraft logbook regarding cylinder removal or replacement to the right engine.
Probable cause:
For undetermined reason(s), the right engine failed and the right propeller would not feather.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402 in El Zapote: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 6, 1992 at 2200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XA-SAT
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Nayarit Airport with one passenger and one pilot on board. While flying by night, it crashed in unknown circumstances near El Zapote. Both occupants were killed.

Crash of a Cessna 402C in Clewiston: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 23, 1992 at 2022 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N2714A
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Fort Lauderdale - Sarasota
MSN:
402C-0209
YOM:
1980
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
5500
Captain / Total hours on type:
2250.00
Aircraft flight hours:
13708
Circumstances:
The scheduled passenger flight departed without a flight plan and was last heard from while descending in attempt to remain in VFR conditions. Witnesses on the ground stated that there was extremely heavy rain and thunderstorms at the time of the accident. The wreckage was located the next day and evidence indicated that the airplane hit the ground in a 50° nose down attitude at a high rate of speed. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Pilot-in-command's improper inflight decision to attempt to descend and remain in VFR conditions in an area of thunderstorms and heavy rain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot-in-command's loss of control in flight.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402 in Lantana: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 11, 1992 at 1147 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N3767C
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Lantana - Jacksonville
MSN:
402B-0617
YOM:
1974
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
10400
Captain / Total hours on type:
300.00
Aircraft flight hours:
5501
Circumstances:
Flight departed and upon reaching a point approx 35 miles north of airport pilot requested return to airport from ATC. Pilot did not declare emergency or report an engine problem. Upon entering traffic pattern at uncontrolled airport pilot stated he would follow a Cessna 152 for landing. On short final aircraft was seen making s turns to maintain spacing behind 152. Pilot then declared he had an engine shutdown and needed to land. 152 was in landing flare and landed. With 152 on runway pilot attempted a go around with full flaps extended, gear down, left engine shutdown, and at a slow airspeed. Aircraft rolled to left upon application of right engine power and nosed down from which it crashed. The number two cylinder of the left engine had suffered separation of the head from the barrel. Pilot logbook did not reflect pilot having current biennial flight review. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot in commands failure to maintain airspeed above single engine minimum control speed resulting in an inflight loss of control and collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot in command's failure to declare an emergency and request priority landing and his decision to follow a slower aircraft in the pattern.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402B in Roanoke

Date & Time: Nov 29, 1991 at 1720 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N69CR
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Addison - Addison
MSN:
402B-0521
YOM:
1973
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
4500
Circumstances:
During daylight flight, the airplane lost its right engine due to failed piston assembly because of engine overheating. The overheating was due to the engine air cooling baffle not being installed and the improper oil filter being installed. The airplane would not sustain flight due to the inoperative main landing gear which was locked in the down position and the propeller that could not feather due to corrosion. The pilot and his passenger were seriously injured in the landing due to the lack of seat belts. The airplane was operated with 137 known deficiencies.
Probable cause:
The operation of the airplane with known deficiencies, a missing air cooling baffle, and inadequate maintenance. Factors were the frozen propeller, inability of the pilot to feather the propeller, inoperative landing gear, the inability of the pilot to retract the landing gear, and the lack of seat belts.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402B in Boise: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 16, 1991 at 0256 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N29517
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Boise - Pocatello
MSN:
402B-0031
YOM:
1970
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
3864
Captain / Total hours on type:
450.00
Aircraft flight hours:
6994
Circumstances:
The pilot announced he had an engine failure during initial climb at 300-400 feet agl after takeoff on a VFR night cargo flight. The tower controller cleared the flight to return to the airport and land on any runway. The aircraft entered a right descending turn, impacted the ground one mile from the airport, and ignited in flames. Evidence indicated the right engine was not operating at impact. The landing gear was down and the right propeller was in the high pitch position. Exam of the right engine revealed blocked fuel injectors, incorrect size fuel injectors, fuel pump out of adjustment, and burned/pitted breaker points in a magneto. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The loss of power on the right engine during initial climb after takeoff due to inadequate maintenance inspection and adjustment of the engine by company maintenance personnel, and the loss of control by the pilot due to his failure to properly configure the aircraft and perform a proper single engine climb maneuver, and his failure to maintain single engine climb airspeed. A factor relating to the accident was the dark night light conditions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402A in Ketapang: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 8, 1991
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PK-WWE
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
402A-0002
YOM:
1979
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
On final approach to Ketapang Airport, the twin engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances few hundred metres short of runway threshold. A passenger was killed while eight other occupants were injured.

Crash of a Cessna 402B in Arauca: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 16, 1991 at 0600 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-2172
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Arauca – Saravena
MSN:
402B-1371
YOM:
1978
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Arauca-Santiago Pérez Quiroz Airport, while in initial climb, one of the engine failed. The crew attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft struck a pole and crashed. A pilot was killed and four other occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
Engine failure during initial climb for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Cessna 402B in Kathleen: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 16, 1991 at 0051 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N5855M
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Live Oak – Hickory
MSN:
402B-0360
YOM:
1973
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
521
Captain / Total hours on type:
4.00
Aircraft flight hours:
4348
Circumstances:
The single engine rated pilot and 2 passengers were returning from Florida after picking up a newly acquired Cessna 402. The pilot called Macon FSS for fuel availability, and began a night, VFR descent. At about 5,300 feet msl, the airplane began rapid altitude excursions, while in a tight, right hand turn. During this time, it descended 2,600 feet in 37 seconds, then climbed 1,200 feet in 12 seconds. Subsequently, the airplane impacted gradually rising terrain at high speed. The engines were buried, and all prop blades showed evidence of power at impact. Weather in the area was reported to be: sky partially obscured with fog. An investigation revealed that the pilot was not multi-engine rated. A pilot for the seller flew with the accident pilot a few hours prior to the crash; he reported that the accident pilot had difficulty flying the airplane. He recommended that the accident pilot get additional training prior to leaving florida, but the accident pilot refused. All three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while descending at night. Factors related to the accident were: darkness, fog, the pilot's lack of qualification in multi-engine aircraft, his lack of experience in this type of aircraft, his overconfidence in his personal ability, and spatial disorientation of the pilot.
Final Report: