Cedar Rapids

The airplane collided with a berm following a loss of directional control while landing. The airplane was on a 14 CFR Part 91 positioning flight at the time of the accident. The pilots reported that they encountered what they thought were rough spots on the runway during the takeoff roll. The captain reported that after takeoff, he called for the co-pilot to raise the gear and engage the yaw damper. The crew then noticed an unsafe gear indication for the nose gear. The captain stated they leveled off at 5,000 feet and decreased the airspeed so they could recycled the landing gear. Cycling the landing gear did not resolve the problem. The crew then requested to return to the departure airport for landing. The landing gear was extended and a gear down and locked indication for all three landing gear was observed. The captain stated that on touchdown, the co-pilot extended the spoilers and armed the thrust reversers. He stated that after the nose wheel touched down the airplane made a sharp left turn and traveled off the side of the runway through the grass. The airplane contacted a four-foot high berm prior to coming to a stop on another runway. The captain stated he attempted to taxi the airplane only to discover that they did not have any nose wheel steering. Post accident inspection revealed the seal on the nose gear strut had failed which prevented the nose gear from centering.

The pilot made four missed ILS approaches at the airport. He stated that he did not see the approach lights during any of the approaches and did not feel comfortable making a landing. The reported visibility during these approaches was 1/2-statute mile. On the fifth approach the pilot said he had '...mistaken closely inline cars and a road for the MALSR and runway.' He pilot stated the airplane continued to descend after initiating a go-around. He said he saw oncoming traffic in front of him, and turned the airplane to the right. He said he lost altitude and the right wing struck the ground. The pilot's employers operations specification require a 1/4- mile increase in visibility for an ILS approach that does not have an operating approach lighting system. The approach lights were checked by the airport manager and were confirmed to be in working order. An on-scene investigation revealed no pre-accident airframe or engine anomalies that would have prevented normal flight.

During flight, the pilot reported shutting down the left engine due to a loss of oil pressure. He declared an emergency and diverted toward an alternate airport. However, while diverting, radar and radio contact were lost, and the airplane crashed. The wreckage path covered a distance of approximately 60 feet; the descent angle during impact was estimated to be about 45°. Oil was found behind the left engine, on the left flap, on the bottom of the left horizontal stabilizer, and on the bottom of the fuselage. Also, fuel stains were seen in the grass around the airplane. No preimpact fire indications were found. The pilot had reported low oil pressure in the left engine before the accident flight, and purchased seven quarts of oil before departing. No indications of power at impact were seen on either engine or propeller. Numerous abnormalities existed with the left engine. No discrepancies were noted with the right engine. The farmer who found the wreckage reported that sleet was falling at the time of the accident. The pilot of another aircraft reported structural icing conditions.

During the second ILS approach the airplane descended below the glidepath and impacted the terrain 2,500 feet short of the intended landing runway. The pilot indicated that a failure in the approach lighting system contributed to the accident. A post accident functional check of the approach lighting system failed to reveal any anomalies.

Few minutes after takeoff from Cedar Rapids, while cruising by night in marginal weather conditions, the single engine airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed. Both occupants were killed.

During the takeoff roll at Cedar Rapids Airport, the crew lost control of the aircraft that ground looped, swerved and crashed in flames. Both pilots were killed.

Following an uneventful flight from Cedar Rapids, the crew started the descent to Addison by night. On short final, he encountered heavy rain falls and the pilot initiated a go-around when the airplane descended and crashed onto the runway. All nine occupants escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

The crew started an ILS approach to Cedar Rapids Airport in poor weather conditions when control was lost. The airplane dove into the ground and crashed in an open field located few miles from the airport. The twin engine airplane was totally destroyed and all five occupants have been killed. It was determined that in poor weather conditions, the left wing, left engine and tail separated in flight, causing the aircraft to be uncontrollable.