Piper PA-31-310 Navajo

The pilot and his passenger, his son, departed from a controlled airport at 1436 hours. He climbed the airplane to about 5,200 feet mean sea level. Recorded communications between the pilot and the control tower did not reveal anything out of the ordinary. Radar data showed the pilot in a progressive climb to about 5,200 feet. After maintaining that altitude for over two minutes, the airplane descended at an excessive rate until it collided with the ocean about one mile offshore. The engines and propellers were recovered and examined. The engine examination did not reveal any pre existing discrepancies. The propellers had deep leading edge gouges, 'S' twists, and one broken blade. No pre existing deficiencies were found during the examination of the airplane's logbooks and maintenance records. Investigation did not reveal any reason for the airplane's rapid descent and its in flight collision with the ocean. Both occupants were killed.

After takeoff from Chaitén Airport, while in initial climb, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed in the gulf of Corcovado, few hundred metres offshore. All eight occupants were killed.

Crashed in unknown circumstances while approaching Barranquilla-Ernesto Cortissoz Airport. All three occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

The crew was completing a maritime patrol flight on behalf of the Finnish Border Guards (Rajavartiolaitos). While descending to Oulu Airport, both engines stopped simultaneously. The crew reduced his altitude and ditched the aircraft in the Liminga Bay, few km from the airport. Both pilots were rescued while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

On approach to Karlstad Airport, the pilot informed ATC he was low on fuel. Shortly later, he declared an emergency when the both engines stopped. The aircraft lost height and eventually crashed in the Vänern Lake located 12,5 km from Karlstad Airport. Four passengers and the pilot were killed while three other passengers were rescued.

The Piper Navajo had not flown for about 9 months. During preparation for flight the pilot discovered that the battery was dead. The battery was removed for charging by the fixed base operator, the battery box was cleaned and painted. The operator advised that the battery was over 3 years old plus the 9 months of non use rendered the battery non reliable and recommended that it be replaced. The pilot choose not to change the battery. The pilot requested that the main tanks be topped. The pilot flew the airplane for a short time. The next day (day of the accident) the pilot, while preflighting the airplane, discovered that the battery was again dead so he requested an external power cart for starting. About an hour into the cross country flight the pilot stated that both engines quit while on the aux tanks. He stated that he had no electrical power for fuel boost pumps or starters. The airplane collided with electrical power lines during the emergency landing attempt in an alfalfa field.

Pilot was cleared for an ILS approach at his destination, and requested to report altitude of 3,000 feet on the approach. This was the last radio transmission received from the pilot. Aircraft was found in soft field six miles from the airport. Landing gear was up, flaps were down. Fisherman nearby reported hearing the aircraft maneuvering at low altitude. He reported that the engines sounded fine, but the sound was changing in pitch and intensity. He reported that got quiet just a few seconds before he heard the impact. The investigation revealed that there was evidence of a fire in the nose baggage compartment. The cabin heater is located in the nose baggage compartment, and had a recent history of discrepancies. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

En route from Mombasa to Kichwa Tembo, the pilot was informed that a DC-3 suffered a mishap upon landing at Musiara Airstrip and apparently decided to make a low pass to show the scene to the passengers. While approaching the airfield at an altitude of 250 feet, the aircraft collided with a white-backed vulture who went through the windshield and killed the pilot instantly. Control was lost and the aircraft crashed in an open field, bursting into flames. All nine occupants were killed.

The aircraft, which had not flown for over 2 years, had been worked-on during the past days and had to be ferried to Blackpool with two pilots on board. During the takeoff roll on runway 22, at a speed of about 60 knots, a loud report was heard and the outboard section of the right wing disintegrated. The crew abandoned the takeoff procedure and was able to stop the aircraft on the runway. They exited the cabin and were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Few minutes after takeoff from Robinson Crusoe Island, en route for the continent, the crew encountered engine problems and elected to ditch the aircraft about 13 km offshore. The crew of a fishing boat was able to rescue all four occupant while the aircraft sank and was lost.