Cessna 402

Ground witnesses observed the aircraft enter low clouds going south, then emerge from clouds going went. Aircraft collided with mountain in wings-level and powered attitude. Mountains were reported to be obscured by clouds and fog. All eight occupants were killed.

Shortly after departure and level off, the pilot reported an engine malfunction and initiated a return to the airport. About 2 minutes later, he reported an engine fire and declared an emergency. Approximately one minute thereafter, the right wing separated from the aircraft and the plane crashed. An exam of the wreckage revealed extensive inflight fire damage in the area of separation. A 2.5 by 3 inches hole was found in the right inboard exhaust tube, pn 0850712-6. It was oriented toward the accessory compartment with numerous fuel and oil lines which were fire damaged and charred. Also, much of the engine support structure and wing spar were melted in that area. An exam of the exhaust tube revealed its walls were thin, brittle and discolored in the area of the rupture and several areas of cracks and small holes were found. The exhaust tube had 5,862 hours of total service and 1,762 hours since it was overhauled. Records showed that ad 75-23-08 had been complied with during the last inspection, 25 flight hours prior to the accident. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

During an engine start, prior to the flight, the left engine backfired 2 or 3 times. A witness described the 1st backfired as 'the loudest I have ever heard.' When the aircraft took off, two persons living near the departure end of the runway noted that the aircraft (believed to be the same) sounded different and had a 'cluttering sound'. While climbing, the pilot declared an emergency and reported a fire in the left engine. He was vectored toward Altus AFB while descending in IFR conditions. He descended into VFR conditions and saw the airport about 3 miles away. A witness saw smoke and fire trailing from the vicinity of the left engine. He stated that the aircraft's nose came up, the plane rolled to the left, then it entered a steep, nose down, inverted attitude just before it crashed and burned. An exam revealed the engine exhaust manifold header assy had failed and allowed hot exhaust gases to escape in the engine nacelle in the vicinity of fuel and oil lines. Corrosion had progressed thru the header assy. Ad 75-23-08 requested general inspection, but contained note 'do not remove clamps.' No record of replacement in 6,100 hours. Both occupants were killed.

The aircraft collided with trees during the initial takeoff climb from runway 27 at Oakland-Troy Airport, Troy, MI, while on a corporate flight. Investigation revealed that approximately 3 to 5 inches of snow had fallen at the airport during the day and the snow had not been removed from the runway that evening. A witness reported there was 5 inches of snow on the runway and it was snowing at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that 'shortly after takeoff the aircraft yawed, then veered right. Upon correcting this condition left wing struck the ground.' When the right engine was tested a small leak was discovered at the air intake manifold. The left engine was severely damaged by fire and could not be tested. All four occupants escaped uninjured.

Prior to takeoff the pilot was informed of wind shear as centerfield winds as 270° at 25 knots gust to 46 knots and northwest boundary winds as 280° at 13 knots. During takeoff the pilot reported an opened door and requested to return to land. The aircraft turned left and descended to the ground. Examination of the aircraft did not disclose evidence of malfunction. Examination of the aircraft doors revealed the right side cargo door securing mechanisms were relatively undamaged. Flight test conducted to evaluate the effects of a opened door disclosed in part the following. The door will open and remain open during rotation; results in noise and vibration; no abnormal flight characteristics; no significant change in multi-engine climb performance. Pilot landing in jet aircraft prior to accident reported moderate turbulence with a plus or minus 10 to 15 knots change in airspeed from 2,000 feet msl to the surface. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Crashed in unknown circumstances in Chapala Lake. The pilot survived while all eight passengers were killed.

Shortly after takeoff, both engines lost power and a wheels up landing was made in an open field. The aircraft was destroyed by impact and fire. An investigation revealed that the aircraft had been refuel with Jet-A fuel rather than 100 low lead avgas. The lineman had inadvertently used the Jet-A fuel truck which was identical to the Avgas truck except for a decal, appx 4' by 16', which identified the type of fuel. The lineman stated that his training consisted of approximately 30 minutes of reading the company maintenance manual on how to refuel the different company aircraft, then was given on-the-job training for a brief time. When he went to refuel N89PB prior to the accident flight, he went to the parking space where the Avgas truck was normally parked, but on that occasion, the Jet-A fuel truck was there.

Pilot was executing an non-directional beacon approach to runway 23. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. Radar information obtained during the investigation revealed the pilot did not stabilize the airspeed while executing the approach. Witnesses near the accident site indicated they had heard a low flying aircraft at the approximate time of the accident. The wreckage path revealed a gradual descent swath in the trees which terminated with ground impact. Witnesses near the airport stated that the airport was obscured by fog. Both occupants were killed.

On a charter flight from Mombasa to Nairobi, the pilot encountered foggy conditions. While cruising at an insufficient altitude, the twin engine aircraft struck the Malwa Hill located near Machakos. The aircraft was destroyed and all nine occupants were killed, among them eight European tourists; 4 Italians, two French and two Swiss.

During arrival, the flight was cleared for an ILS/DME approach to runway 27. While on the approach, the aircraft crashed in the ocean about 2.7 miles east of the runway threshold. The pilot reported that he was making the approach, using instruments, and landed short for unknown reasons. He received a serious head injury, but was rescued by fishermen who heard the aircraft crash and went to where they heard the voices of the victims in the fog. The 0835 weather at Boston was in part: partial obscuration, 25,000 feet overcast, 4 miles visibility with fog and haze, wind from 140° at 7 knots. Other pilots reported low ceilings and a fog bank in the vicinity of the crash site. The captain survived while the copilot died.