Swearingen SA26T Merlin II

During a visual approach, the pilot said he encountered 2,000 fpm downdrafts. The pilot stated he added power and executed a normal approach at 120 knots, compensating for downdrafts/crosswinds. After touchdown, the pilot said he did not get a beta light on the right engine. He stated he brought the power levers 'behind the gate into reverse.' The aircraft drifted left. The pilot said he corrected with brakes and nosewheel steering. He applied takeoff power and the aircraft veered right, and ran off the right side of the runway. The aircraft collided with a dirt bank and then trees. Three tire skid marks were observed on the right side of the runway. A pilot-witness said winds were gusting 22-25 knots, variable from 130-220°. He said the aircraft landed fast and long. Examination of the engines and props revealed no evidence of malfunction. The engine manufacturer recommends prop reverse not be used on icy runway or when beta light on one engine does not illuminate. The aircraft manufacturer advises that nosewheel steering should not be used at speeds below 40 knots. All six occupants were injured, two seriously.

As the aircraft was climbing thru 14,800 feet for 19,000 feet, the pilot reported a rapid decompression. Two minutes later, he reported that he has lost the tail. Aircraft impacted in an inverted flat spin and the tail and a section of empennage were found about 3/4 mile away from main wreckage. Investigation revealed that a skin seam had split open along a 54' span in an area where 2 pieces of 'l' shaped channel had been riveted together to form a stringer. Normally the stringer would be made using a single piece of 't' shaped channel. The non-standard stringer had been fabricated during repairs made on the aircraft following a gear up landing 7 years prior to this accident. Analysis revealed that the rivets holding the 'l' channels together and failed in fatigue due to tensile cyclic loading whenever the aircraft was pressurized. Aircraft had a history of pressurization problems following the repair that was not properly performed or inspected. The pi1lot, sole on board, was killed.

While approaching Albany-Dale Hollow Airport, the pilot was cleared by ATC to descend to 3,500 feet when he reported he was going to 'scoot down' under layer. In limited visibility due to poor weather conditions, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed on a mountain slope at an altitude of 1,700 feet. All three occupants were killed.

On final approach to Palo Alto Airport by night, during the last segment, the twin engine airplane collided with a flock of seagulls, causing the left engine to fail. The airplane lost height and struck the runway surface. It bounced then went out of control, veered off runway and eventually crashed inverted in the airport parking, damaging seven other aircrafts. The pilot was seriously injured and both passengers were killed.

On approach to Memphis International Airport in marginal weather conditions, the twin engine airplane struck the ground and crashed in Olive Branch, about 8 miles southeast of the airport. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.

While descending in marginal weather conditions, the pilot lost his orientation and descended too low without any ground reference when the airplane struck the ground and crashed 28 NM south of the airport. Two passengers were killed while three other occupants were injured.

The crew started the approach to Stuttgart-Echterdingen in poor weather conditions. The visibility was very limited due to snow falls. On final, the twin engine airplane was too low, struck the ground and crashed in flames in an open field located few km short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were killed.

On final approach to Nashville Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and bad visibility due to low ceiling and fog. The crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and all four occupants were killed.

While descending to Hot Springs Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with low ceiling, rain and fog. As the pilot-in-command was unable to locate the runway, he decided to make a go-around. A second attempt to land was also abandoned few minutes later. During a third approach, the pilot-in-command descended below the minimum descent altitude when the airplane struck the ground 150 feet short of runway. The aircraft went out of control and crashed on the right of the runway. All six occupants, among them two Japanese citizen, were killed.

On final approach by night to Cuyahoga County Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with snow falls and icing. At the decision height, the runway was not in sight but the captain decided to continue when the airplane struck tree tops and crashed in a wooded area located 4,610 feet short of runway 24. A pilot was killed while three other occupants were injured.