Cessna 414 Chancellor

The pilot was approaching Atlantic City Airport by night and poor weather conditions when the twin engine aircraft struck the ground and crashed few miles short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.

The pilot initiated a takeoff with snow and ice on the aircraft. During takeoff roll the aircraft became airborne, settled back onto the runway and the pilot attempted to abort the takeoff. The aircraft departed the end of the runway, impacted navigation antennas and rough terrain. All four occupants escaped uninjured.

The pilot received a weather briefing and filed an IFR flight plan from Sitka to Anchorage, Alaska. During takeoff from runway 11 at Sitka, he provided a pirep to the flight service station, saying that he had entered the cloud bases at 700 feet msl. While departing, a left turn was made, and the airplane crashed on Mt Verstovia at the 1420 feet level, approximately 3 miles east of the airport. An on-scene investigation revealed the airplane struck wooded terrain while climbing on a heading of 359°. Several tree limbs had been clean cut (by the propellers); wreckage was spread over a 516 feet area. A standard instrument departure (Sitka 5 sid) was available which would have provided terrain clearance with a right turn-out from runway 11 to an initial climb heading of 280°.

The pilot reported that the aircraft landed normally and during the landing roll a loud 'bang' was heard and the right main landing gear collapsed. An investigation was conducted by an FAA airworthiness inspector. During this investigation, it was noted that a washer in the right main landing gear assembly failed. Subsequent investigation, including a review of the aircraft maintenance records, revealed that cessna aircraft service information letter number ME83-37, dated november 23, 1983 had not been complied with. This service letter recommended replacement of the original washers with a new washer, Cessna part number S1450-5H12-063. (Old part number 5045018-2)

The pilot reported that whilst enroute from Essendon to Wonthaggi he descended to the lowest safe altitude of 3600 feet above sea level, lowered the landing gear, reduced power and airspeed to counter the effect of turbulence and entered a holding pattern to the south south west of the Wonthaggi navigation aid. During the holding pattern the aircraft descended until it collided with trees that were 865 feet above sea level. The weather at the time included gale force winds, rain and low cloud. There were no thunderstorms or microbursts in the area, however, other aircraft reported a very low cloud base and severe turbulence. A few minutes prior to the accident ground witnesses, south south west of the accident site, reported an aircraft matching the description of VH-SDV, flying below a low, misty, ragged cloud base. There was no record of another aircraft in the area at the time. Information was available which indicated that the aircraft had descended below 3600 feet during the approach to Wonthaggi. The passengers reported that the pilot gave no indication of any problem or danger. Until the impact, they believed the aircraft was descending normally for a landing at Port Welshpool.

Crashed in unknown circumstances. Occupant fate unknown.

During arrival, the pilot was cleared for an ILS runway 27R approach to the metro Oakland Intl Airport. As she began the approach, the ATC controller noted the aircraft had descended thru 2,900 feet msl. He provided a low altitude alert to the pilot and warned her the aircraft should be at 3,300 feet. The pilot acknowledged by saying 'thank you.' The ATC controller suggested the pilot climb to 3,300 feet immediately, then he canceled the clearance and told the pilot to climb immediately to 3,300 feet. Subsequently, the aircraft crashed approximately 15 miles east of the airport. Impact occurred with a 1,500 feet ridge at about the 1,000 feet level. No preimpact part failure or malfunction of the aircraft was found. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Approximately 2 minutes after the flight (N84UM) had climbed and leveled at FL290, the ARTCC controller noticed there was no return from the aircraft's transponder. The controller transmitted an advisory, but got no reply. He made several more radio calls and received 2 replies. Later, a review of the radio transcript indicated the pilot's 1st reply was something about 'ice.' In his 2nd response to an inquiry from the controller about 'how do you hear me,' he replied 'good.' After that there was no further contact with the flight. Wreckage from the aircraft was found scattered over a 6 miles area, indicating an in-flight breakup. Pieces from the horizontal stabilizers were found from 2 to 6 miles from the main wreckage. The right wing was found 2 miles from the main wreckage and the left outboard wing panel was found about 1 mile from the right wing. During a preflight briefing, the pilot was advised of turbulences and icing conditions; he was told to expect light to moderate rime icing in clouds thru 15,000 feet, but the aircraft was equipped for flight in icing conditions. A check of the pilot's liver fluid showed a benzoylecgonine (cocaine metabolite) level of 0.136 mg/l. Both occupants were killed.

Before takeoff, the crew indicated the flight would be for 'check rides' and that they planned to 'shoot approaches' and proceed to the practice area to do some airwork. ATC advised the pilots that the cloud bases were at 3,500 feet msl. Elevation of the terrain (where the aircraft subsequently crashed) was 1,225 feet. Prior to the accident, witnesses saw the aircraft circling in a steep turn at low altitude. One witness reported it was circling as if to land. Subsequently, it impacted in a steep nose down, slight left wing low, attitude. Several witnesses reported that one or both engines sputtered before the aircraft crashed; however, an exam of the engines revealed no indication of a preimpact malfunction or failure. An exam of the airframe revealed the landing gear was in the extended position when the aircraft crashed. Exam of the props indicated that both engines were producing an equal amount of power. The airwork to be completed included steep turns, stalls, and flight at minimum control airspeed. Both occupants were killed.

While on final approach to land at night, the left engine lost power due to fuel starvation. Attempts to restart the engine were not successful. While the pilot was attempting a restart, the aircraft drifted to the right of the runway centerline and toward the proximity of hangars. The pilot stated that due to the power loss and wind conditions, he elected to land on airport property. Gear extension was delayed until just before landing. The aircraft touched down before the right main landing gear was fully extended and locked. Subsequently, the right main gear collapsed and the aircraft skidded about 500 feet before coming to rest. An examination revealed the nacelle and main fuel tanks were empty, but fuel was still remaining in the auxiliary tanks.