Swearingen SA226T Merlin III

During arrival at dawn, the pilot contacted Approach Control about 22 miles from the airport at 8,500 feet and requested an ILS runway 26 approach. The ATIS was reporting 1/8 mile visibility with fog; the minimum published visibility for the ILS landing was 3/4 mile. The controller vectored the aircraft so that it intercepted the ILS localizer at the outer marker at an intercept angle that was 5 degrees greater than the maximum allowable intercept of 30 degrees. The intercept point should have been at least 3 miles further away from the airport. The aircraft was 650 feet above the ILS glideslope at the outer marker (which was outside the ILS glideslope parameter). Instead of making a missed approach, the pilot elected to continue the ILS. As he attempted to intercept the glideslope from above, the airplane entered a high rate of descent and passed through the glideslope. The pilot was arresting the descent, when the airplane collided with level terrain about 1,000 feet short of the runway. After the accident, at 0646 edt, the visibility was 1/16 mile with fog.

N500AK encountered icing in flight before start of ILS approach. Radar data showed that before reaching outer marker, it slowed in a manner that was consistent with a power reduction (or partial loss of power), then it entered a steep descent and crashed. Examination revealed engines were not operating at impact and that propellers had been feathered. No preimpact part failure or malfunction of engines, propellers or anti-ice system was found. There was evidence that engine inlet anti-ice annunciator lights and stability augmentation system (SAS) fault warning light were illuminated during impact. The engine manufacturer reported that flameouts had occurred in other aircraft, during or following operation in icing conditions, sometimes after descent into warmer air. Flight manual noted that if icing was encountered with anti-ice system off, select continuous ignition and then select engine and propeller heat (1 engine at a time, ensuring first engine was operating satisfactorily before selecting second engine) and engage sas heat. All four occupants were killed.

During the takeoff roll, the nose gear collapsed. The aircraft slid for few dozen metres, overran, collided with a fence and came to rest in a ditch, bursting into flames. Both pilots were injured.

The twin engine aircraft was completing a night charter flight from Southend to Helsinki, carrying seven passengers and one pilot. On final approach to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport runway 22, the pilot elected to reduce the speed when the aircraft lost altitude, descended below the MDA, struck the ground and came to rest inverted in a snow covered field located about one km short of runway threshold. A passenger was seriously injured while seven other occupants were killed.

Aircraft was scheduled for an instructional flight. During the weather briefing, the CFI told the FSS specialist that the flight would include engine out practice. Witness statements indicate that the aircraft rolled sharply to the right and nosed down after attaining about 100 feet of altitude during the climb after takeoff. The aircraft struck the ground left prop and left wing tip first, in an inverted flight attitude. During the post accident investigation, the right engine power lever was subjected to lab exam and it was found that the lower aft part of the lift gate detent was worn. This created a ramping effect between the rounded edge of the lift gate and the flight idle stop. A worn lift gate detent would allow the power lever to inadvertently be moved into the beta range, causing asymmetrical drag and degraded airplane performance, particularly in critical phases of flight. All three occupants were killed.

Crashed in unknown circumstances 13 km from Mclean’s Town Cay. There were no casualties.

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.