Swearingen SA226T Merlin III

A distress message was received from the pilot stating he was 100 miles south of Grand Isle, LA, and had lost an engine and was unable to maintain altitude. A second message was received shortly afterwards stating that the aircraft was at 1,500 feet and the pilot was preparing to ditch the aircraft. No further contacts and no ELT signals were heard. The aircraft wreckage has not been located.

The aircraft landed hard and short of the runway. The impact collapsed the right main landing gear and the aircraft was destroyed by the post crash fire. The pilot reported that on short final a muffled 'pop' was heard and the aircraft yawed to the right. Directional control was regained and the aircraft landed hard. Post accident inspection failed to disclose any pre-impact failure/malfunction of the aircraft or engines. Right engine propeller slash marks in the runway indicate power was being produced on the engine at touchdown. Both pilots were uninjured.

Prior to the FAF during a VOR/DME approach, the Merlin was cleared to change to the unicom frequency. The pilot of the Merlin contacted unicom and requested and airport advisory. The unicom operator replied that there was a pirep of 500 feet over the field with two miles visibility but 'zilch' over the water. Shortly after this contact the pilot of the AA-5A called on unicom turning final. The pilot of the AA-5A was given the same advisory as given to the Merlin and further advised that another aircraft was inbound for runway 14. The aircraft collided less than one mile northwest of the approach end of runway 14. AIM 157 recommends that VFR inbound flights broadcasting entering downwind and final. AIM 363 recommends that, when making an IFR approach to an airport not served by a tower or FSS and after ATC advises to change to advisory frequency, to broadcast intentions, including type approach, position and when over FAF inbound. All three occupants in both airplanes were killed.

While in cruising altitude, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity. The pilot-in-command suffered a spatial disorientation and lost control of the aircraft that entered a dive and crashed into gulf of Mexico off Cameron. Both occupants were killed. They were engaged in an illegal smuggling flight.

The crew was completing a local test flight at San Marcos Airport. Following several circuits, the crew initiated a new approach with the copilot at controls. Due to an improper level off, the twin engine airplane landed hard and came to rest. All four occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

The crew was engaged in a local training flight at Lille-Lesquin Airport and was completing several touch-and-go maneuvers. On final approach, just prior to touchdown, the airplane went out of control and crashed onto the runway. It was damaged beyond repair and both pilots were killed.
Crew:
Jean-Claude Timmermans, student pilot,
Étienne Lemmens, instructor.

The twin engine airplane was engaged in a local experimentation flight at San Marcos Airport on behalf of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). During the last segment, at level off, the airplane landed hard and struck the runway surface. Upon impact, the undercarriage were torn off and the airplane came on its belly. All four occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

The crew encountered an unexpected situation and was forced to attempt an emergency landing near Grønholt Airport. Upon landing in a pasture, the airplane lost its both wings and came to rest. There were no injuries.

On final approach to Nassau Airport, the pilot decided to make a go-around when the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

While approaching San Antonio Airport by night, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with low ceiling, rain and fog. Too low, the airplane struck trees and crashed in flames few miles short of runway 12R. It was destroyed by a post crash fire and both pilots were killed.