Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain

The flight was to be flown across a 22 mile channel between islands on an overcast night with no moon and no ground reference lights. The aircraft disappeared from radar and, after extensive searches, could not be found. A three dimensional flight track was reconstructed using recorded radar data. The data indicated that in the last 60 seconds the aircraft slowed from 170 to 95 knots, gained 500 feet in altitude, and turned left 190° before abruptly disappearing from radar. Flight tests indicated that the movements of the aircraft in the last 60 seconds of the flight were consistent with a loss of the left engine, without compensation by the pilot. The operator's training program did not provide for night or instrument flight conditions. The last documented instrument time for the pilot was 15 months prior during a checkride. The pilot flew sporadic night flights. The pilot had previously flown during the day and was on his thirteenth hour of duty. The wreckage and all eight occupants were never found. However it is believed it crashed about 13 miles northwest of Maunaloa, on Molokai Island.

The pilot had just departed the runway when he reported to the flight service station that he had engine problems. The aircraft was observed by witnesses to be about 300 feet on a descending downwind. The pilot stated that he was circling for runway 01. Surviving passengers described the engines as running rough and uneven. The investigation revealed that the aircraft's weight was more than the pilot had calculated and the CofG was 3.4 inches further aft than was calculated. However, the weight and CofG were within limits. Examination of the engine disclosed that the right engine had an extensive cylinder head crack, a partially disconnected intake pipe, and was capable of producing 55% of rated power. The left engine had seven severely worn cam lobes. The rudder trim was deflected full left at impact. The evidence indicated that the pilot had retarded the throttle for the left engine and was using only the right engine to sustain flight. Exam of company checklist usage revealed several different improper versions. The pilot and five passengers were killed. Two others passengers and two people on the ground were injured.

The pilot estimated that the aircraft's reduced fuel quantity was adequate for the flight during his preflight inspection. As the aircraft descended for the traffic pattern near the destination airport both engines failed. After the loss of power the pilot executed a forced landing into a park with the landing gear not fully extended. The aircraft impacted the terrain and slid into a fence before coming to a stop.

While approaching Aarhus-Tirstrup Airport on a positioning flight from Copenhagen-Kastrup Airport, the twin engine aircraft crashed in a field located 3,5 km east of the airport. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

The pilot of an aircraft carrying an estimated 317 kilos of cocaine was attempting to land at an airport which did not have a published instrument approach procedure in IMC. Witnesses estimated that the visibility was no more than 1/2 mile in fog about 45 minutes after the estimated time of the accident. The aircraft collided with a tree about 1,400 feet short of the runway threshold and about 600 feet to the right of the extended runway centerline. Ground contact was made about 380 feet after colliding with the tree. The aircraft burned after ground impact. Pilot flight time was obtained from pilot's last CFI application. Both occupants were killed.

En route to Leeds, the pilot encountered low visibility due to thick fog while cruising over France. Too low, the twin engine airplane struck tree tops and crashed in a wooded area located in Mont Beuvray. Three occupants were seriously injured while four others were killed.

A mechanic, who was not rated as a pilot, took the aircraft without permission and elected to takeoff at night. A witness saw the aircraft departing at about 0250 pdt. Subsequently, it crashed approximately 3 miles east-northeast of the airport in an open undeveloped area. The time of the accident was not determined, but a clock in the wreckage had stopped at 0355. There was evidence the aircraft had impacted in a nose down, inverted attitude while on a north-northeast heading. The aircraft moved only 28 feet after impact and came to rest inverted with the gear extended and the flaps retracted. No preimpact mechanical problem was found. Toxicology tests showed the pilot had a blood/alcohol level of 3,7‰ and a vitreous/alcohol level of 3,3‰. No record was found to indicate that he had engaged in any previous formal flight training. There was evidence the pilot had been under recent stress. A friend reported the pilot and his wife were 'breaking up.' The pilot's wife reported he had a drinking problem which was the reason for their separation.

The twin engine airplane was completing a charter flight from East Midlands to Dounreay in the morning and from Dounreay to Lossiemouth in the afternoon, carrying seven passengers and a crew of two. During the takeoff roll, the airplane deviated twice to the right but the crew was able to correct. At a speed just below minimum rotate speed (101 mph), the aircraft yawed to the right, the right engine power fluctuated and a 'bang' was heard from the right side. The commander decided to abort the takeoff procedure but the remaining distance was insufficient. He veered off runway then the aircraft struck a fence, lost its undercarriage and came to rest. There was no fire. All nine occupants escaped uninjured.

The aircraft was destroyed when the aircraft struck a 350 foot high hill along its route. This flight was a part 135 on-demand air taxi cargo flight. Several other air taxi operators and company aircraft elected to cancel their flights. Both ground reports and pilot reports stated the weather in the area of the accident was ceilings below 500 feet and visibility less than one mile. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Just after liftoff, while climbing to a height of about 5-10 meters, the left engine failed. The aircraft banked left, causing the left wing to struck the runway surface. Out of control, the aircraft crashed next to the runway and came to rest. All nine occupants were injured.