Crash of a Boeing 727-22QC in Windsor Locks

Date & Time: May 3, 1991 at 0553 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing 727-100
Operator:
Registration:
N425EX
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Windsor Locks - Boston
MSN:
19095
YOM:
1966
Location:
Windsor Locks-Bradley
Connecticut
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
8500
Captain / Total hours on type:
3600.00
Aircraft flight hours:
46981
Circumstances:
N425EX was on the takeoff roll when the flightcrew experienced a 'thump' that resounded through the airplane. They also observed erratic engine indications from the n°3 engine. The captain aborted the takeoff and stopped the airplane on the runway. The fire warning system activated on the n°3 engine after the airplane came to rest. The crew attempted to extinguish the fire with the airplane's fire extinguishing system; however, they were unsuccessful. The post accident examination of the n°3 engine revealed the high pressure compressor disk had failed due to a fatigue crack that originated from a corrosion pit. The shrapnel from the disk penetrated the engine nacelle and severed the main fuel line for the engine. The fuel ignited and burned into the fuselage, igniting the 12,600 lbs of cargo (US Mail).
Probable cause:
A catastrophic and uncontained failure of the n°3 engine which resulted in a fuel fed fire.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31T Cheyenne II in Mattapan: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 24, 1990 at 0633 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31 Cheyenne
Operator:
Michael D. Spear
Registration:
N85HB
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
City
Schedule:
Chatham – Boston
MSN:
31-8120021
YOM:
1981
Location:
Boston-Logan
Massachusetts
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
2926
Captain / Total hours on type:
536.00
Circumstances:
The pilot noted an over torque condition in the left engine as the aircraft was on an ILS approach. He made a go-around and initiated another approach with the engine shut down. He was unable to maintain altitude and the aircraft began a decent that was not arrested. Subsequently, it crashed into 2 homes, approximately 6 miles from the airport. An exam of the left engine revealed the drive shaft from the fuel pump to the fuel control was sheared at the plastic coupling. Further exam revealed the twin bearings that supported the driveshaft had failed. Also, there was evidence the drive shaft had shifted and subsequently an overtorque condition resulted. All three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision, which resulted in his failure to maintain control of the aircraft. Factors related to the accident were: failure of the left fuel control unit, and the adverse weather conditions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 99 Airliner in Auburn: 8 killed

Date & Time: Aug 25, 1985 at 2205 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 99 Airliner
Operator:
Registration:
N300WP
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Boston - Auburn
MSN:
U-22
YOM:
1968
Flight number:
QO1808
Location:
Auburn-Lewiston
Maine
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Captain / Total flying hours:
5153
Captain / Total hours on type:
4467.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1453
Copilot / Total hours on type:
153
Aircraft flight hours:
30335
Circumstances:
Flight 1808 took off from Boston runway 04L at 21:30 for a flight to Auburn. Clearance was received of 7000 feet and to contact Portland Approach Control. Portland Approach cleared Flight 1808 at 21:58 for a runway 04 ILS approach. Three minutes later the controller noticed that Flight 1808 was east of course and asked if the it was receiving the Lewiston localizer. The captain replied that they hadn't and were given instructions to turn left heading 340. A left turn to 354° started and the aircraft passed Lewie Outer Marker (LOM) at 165 knots, 2,600 feet (30 knots too fast and 600 feet too high). At 22:02 the aircraft exited the left side of the localizer, still at a 354° heading. The crew then tried to capture the glide slope and enter the localizer again until it entered the left side of the localizer (22:04:08) and descended through the bottom boundary of the glide slope. At ca 22:04:16 the aircraft struck trees 4,007 feet short of the runway and 440 feet right of the extended centreline, continued 737 feet and struck level ground in nearly an inverted attitude. One of the passengers killed in the crash was American schoolgirl, peace activist and child actress Samantha Smith. She was returning to Auburn with her father after taking part to a TV movie in Boston.
Probable cause:
The captain's continuation of an unstabilized approach which resulted in a descent below glide slope. Contributing to the unstabilized approach was the radar controller's issuance and the captain's acceptance of a non-standard air traffic control radar vector resulting in an excessive intercept with the localizer.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft G18S in Laconia

Date & Time: Nov 1, 1984 at 2035 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft G18S
Operator:
Registration:
N32809
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Laconia - Boston
MSN:
BA-473
YOM:
1959
Location:
Laconia
New Hampshire
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
7025
Captain / Total hours on type:
80.00
Aircraft flight hours:
3150
Circumstances:
According to the pilot, shortly after takeoff the aircraft began to pitch up, decelerate, and roll right. He reduced power and lowered the nose in an unsuccessful attempt to regain control. There were no mechanical malfunctions reported. Both occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
1. (c) airspeed (vs) - not maintained - pilot in command
2. Remedial action - initiated - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402C off Boston: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 30, 1984 at 0820 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
Registration:
N120PB
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Provincetown - Boston
MSN:
402C-0473
YOM:
1981
Location:
Boston-Logan
Massachusetts
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
3336
Circumstances:
During arrival, the flight was cleared for an ILS/DME approach to runway 27. While on the approach, the aircraft crashed in the ocean about 2.7 miles east of the runway threshold. The pilot reported that he was making the approach, using instruments, and landed short for unknown reasons. He received a serious head injury, but was rescued by fishermen who heard the aircraft crash and went to where they heard the voices of the victims in the fog. The 0835 weather at Boston was in part: partial obscuration, 25,000 feet overcast, 4 miles visibility with fog and haze, wind from 140° at 7 knots. Other pilots reported low ceilings and a fog bank in the vicinity of the crash site. The captain survived while the copilot died.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (IFR)
Findings
1. (f) weather condition - low ceiling
2. (f) weather condition - fog
3. (f) weather condition - haze/smoke
4. (c) IFR procedure - improper - pilot in command
5. (c) decision height - not identified - pilot in command
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 near Providence: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 21, 1982 at 1533 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter
Operator:
Registration:
N127PM
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Groton - Boston
MSN:
105
YOM:
1968
Flight number:
PM458
Location:
Providence
Rhode Island
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
6500
Captain / Total hours on type:
2700.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
2100
Copilot / Total hours on type:
400
Aircraft flight hours:
27015
Circumstances:
At 4,000 feet light icing on the windshield was noted, and the deicing system was activated. After two cycles of deicing, alcohol was smelled in the cockpit, and smoke was coming up from the control yoke. An emergency landing was attempted at Providence, RI, but smoke and flames forced the crew to land on 10-12 inch thick ice on a reservoir. By then, heavy black smoke poured in the cockpit and fire was seen. Upon landing, the left main gear collapsed and the right wing was sheared off. Eleven occupants escaped and were injured while a passenger was killed.
Probable cause:
The deficient design of the isopropyl alcohol windshield washer/deicer system and the inadequate maintenance of the system which resulted in an in-flight fire. The ignition source of the fire was not determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-10-30CF in Boston: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 23, 1982 at 1936 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-10
Operator:
Registration:
N113WA
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Oakland - Newark - Boston
MSN:
47821/320
YOM:
1980
Flight number:
WO30H
Location:
Boston-Logan
Massachusetts
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
200
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
18091
Captain / Total hours on type:
1969.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
8600
Aircraft flight hours:
6327
Circumstances:
Following a non-precision instrument approach to runway 15R at Boston-Logan International Airport, the airplane touched down about 2,800 feet beyond the displaced threshold of the 9,191-foot usable part of the runway. About 1936:40, the airplane veered to avoid the approach light pier at the departure end of the runway and slid into the shallow water of Boston Harbor. The nose section separated from the fuselage in the impact after the airplane dropped from the shore embankment. Of the 212 persons on board, 2 persons are missing and presumed dead. The other persons onboard evacuated the airplane safely, some with injuries.
Probable cause:
The minimal braking effectiveness on the ice-covered runway; the failure of the Boston-Logan International Airport management to exercise maximum efforts to assess the condition of the runway to assure continued safety of landing operations; the failure of air traffic control to transmit the most recent pilot reports of braking action to the pilot of Flight 30H; and the captain's decision to accept and maintain an excessive airspeed derived from the auto throttle speed control system during the landing approach which caused the aircraft to land about 2,800 feet beyond the runway's displaced threshold. Contributing to the accident were the inadequacy of the present system of reports to convey reliable braking effectiveness information and the absence of provisions in the Federal Aviation Regulations to require:
- Airport management to measure the slipperiness of the runways using standardized procedures and to use standardized criteria in evaluating and reporting braking effectiveness and in making decisions to close runways.
- Operators to provide flight crews and other personnel with information necessary to correlate braking effectiveness on contaminated runways with aircraft stopping distances, and
- Extended minimum runway lengths for landing on runways which adequately take into consideration the reduction of braking effectiveness due to ice and snow.
Final Report:

Crash of a Bristol 175 Britannia 253F in Billerica: 7 killed

Date & Time: Feb 16, 1980 at 1416 LT
Type of aircraft:
Bristol Britannia
Operator:
Registration:
G-BRAC
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Boston - Shannon - Luton
MSN:
13448
YOM:
1959
Flight number:
RY103
Location:
Billerica
Massachusetts
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Captain / Total flying hours:
11600
Captain / Total hours on type:
7400.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
7600
Copilot / Total hours on type:
4760
Aircraft flight hours:
21963
Aircraft flight cycles:
8310
Circumstances:
The four engine airplane departed Boston-Logan Airport runway 33L at 1408LT on a cargo flight to Luton via Shannon, carrying eight occupants and a load of computers. Initial climb was completed in poor weather conditions with a visibility reduced to 800 meters due to snow showers, fog and also severe icing conditions. At an altitude of 1,700 feet, the airplane started an uncontrolled descent then contacted trees and crashed in a wooded area located in Billerica, about 17 miles northwest of Boston-Logan Airport. A crew member was seriously injured while seven other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Degraded aerodynamic performance beyond the flight capabilities of the aircraft resulting from an accumulation of ice and snow on the airframe before take-off and a further accumulation of ice when the aircraft was flown into moderate to severe icing conditions following take-off. Contributing were encounters with windshear, downdraughts and turbulence during the climb. The failure of the flight crew to obtain an adequate preflight weather briefing and the failure of the National Weather Service to advise the crew of a SIGMET for severe icing conditions were also contributing factors.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601) in Framingham

Date & Time: Dec 12, 1976 at 1800 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601)
Operator:
Arnold Zohn
Registration:
N90337
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Boston - White Plains
MSN:
61-0195-090
YOM:
1975
Location:
Framingham
Massachusetts
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5000
Captain / Total hours on type:
1600.00
Circumstances:
En route from Boston to White Plains in normal cruise, both engines failed. The pilot reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing when the airplane struck trees and crashed in Framingham. Both occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure in flight due to fuel exhaustion. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Fuel exhaustion,
- Powerplant - fuel quantity gauge,
- Forced landing off airport on land.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-10-30 in Boston

Date & Time: Dec 17, 1973 at 1543 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-10
Operator:
Registration:
EC-CBN
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Madrid - Boston
MSN:
46925/87
YOM:
1973
Flight number:
IB933
Location:
Boston-Logan
Massachusetts
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
14
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
154
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
21705
Captain / Total hours on type:
426.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
34189
Copilot / Total hours on type:
403
Aircraft flight hours:
2016
Circumstances:
On approach to runway 33L at Boston-Logan Airport, the crew encountered marginal weather conditions with rain falls and a limited visibility to 3/4 mile in fog. While passing from IFR to VFR mode on short final, the captain failed to realize that the airplane lost height when the right main gear struck a dyke and was torn off. The airplane struck the runway surface, veered off runway to the right then lost its undercarriage and came to rest in flames. All 168 occupants were evacuated, six of them were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The captain did not recognize, and may have been unable to recognize, an increased rate of descent in time to arrest it before the aircraft struck the approach light piers. The increased rate of descent was induced by an encounter with a low-level wind shear at a critical point in the landing approach where he was transitioning from automatic flight control under instrument flight conditions to manual flight control with visual references. The captain's ability to detect and arrest the increased rate of descent was adversely affected by a lack of information as to the existence of the wind shear and the marginal visual cues available. The minimal DC-10 wheel clearance above the approach lights and the runway threshold afforded by the ILS glide slope made the response time critical and, under the circumstances, produced a situation wherein a pilot's ability to make a safe landing was greatly diminished.
Final Report:
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