Chicago

The airplane was dispatched on an emergency medical services flight. While being vectored for an instrument approach, the pilot declared an emergency and reported that the airplane was out of fuel. He said the airplane lost engine power and that he was heading toward the destination airport. The airplane descended through clouds and impacted trees and terrain short of its destination. No preimpact anomalies were found during a postaccident examination. The postaccident examination revealed about 1.5 ounces of a liquid consistent with avgas within the airplane fuel system. Based on the three previous flight legs and refueling receipts, postaccident calculations indicated that the airplane was consuming fuel at a higher rate than referenced in the airplane flight manual. Based on this consumption rate, the airplane did not have enough fuel to reach the destination airport; however, a 20-knot tailwind was predicted, so it is likely that the pilot was relying on this to help the airplane reach the airport. Regardless, he would have been flying with less than the 45-minute fuel reserve that is required for an instrument flight rules flight. The pilot failed to recognize and compensate for the airplane’s high fuel consumption rate during the accident flight. It is likely that had the pilot monitored the gauges and the consumption rate for the flight he would have determined that he did not have adequate fuel to complete the flight. Toxicology tests showed the pilot had tetrahydrocannabinol and tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid (marijuana) in his system; however, the level of impairment could not be determined based on the information available. However, marijuana use can impair the ability to concentrate and maintain vigilance and can distort the perception of time and distance. As a professional pilot, the use of marijuana prior to the flight raises questions about the pilot’s decision-making. The investigation also identified several issues that were not causal to the accident but nevertheless raised concerns about the company’s operational control of the flight. The operator had instituted a fuel log, but it was not regularly monitored. The recovered load manifest showed the pilot had been on duty for more than 15 hours, which exceeded the maximum of 14 hours for a regularly assigned duty period per 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135. The operator stated that it was aware of the pilot’s two driving while under the influence of alcohol convictions, but the operator did not request a background report on the pilot before he was hired. Further, the operator did not list the pilot-rated passenger as a member of the flight crew, yet he had flown previous positioning legs on the dispatched EMS mission as the pilot-in-command.

Aircraft had been repossessed and was being ferried from Grand Junction, CO, to Chicago, IL, with en route stop at Denver, CO. After takeoff from Denver, landing gear would not retract. Pilot made several attempts without success. He elected to return to Denver. Pilot said that on final approach the right engine began surging and the left engine would not increase power. Aircraft made hard landing on runway, breaking left wing. Investigation revealed both speed levers would not function because engine prop governors and underspeed fuel governor reset arms, splined onto underspeed fuel governor shafts, were positioned on opposite side of speed lever actuating arms. Landing gear functioned normally during swing tests. It was later learned that right main tire had blown on takeoff 3 days earlier and required repair. Maintenance personnel opened the landing gear circuit breakers to preclude inadvertent gear retraction. Pilot said he checked circuit breakers when gear failed to retract. Both occupants escaped uninjured.

Evidence shows copilot called, 'mayday, uncontrolled spin' after aIRCRAFT radar track showed decelERATION from 180 to 120 kNOts over 2 minUTES period while maintaining constant 4,000 feet cruise altitude. Constant altitude consistent with autopilot/autotrim use, particularly in view of reported turbulence/icing. Elevator trim found at approx 13° nose up. No evidence found of preimpact failure or malfunction in aircraft powerplants, structure or systems. Evidence suggests scenario of crew inattention after power reduction with autopilot altitude setting. On power application, aircraft pitched up from slow speed into uncontrolled flight. Duty day at time of mishap approaching 11 hours. All five occupants were killed.

The four engine airplane departed Kenneth Ingalls Sawyer AFB on a flight to Chicago-O'Hare Airport, carrying 23 passengers and a crew of four. After being cleared to descend from 22,000 feet to 8,000 feet, the crew reduced his speed when at an altitude of 13,700 feet, at a speed of 313 knots, the airplane suffered an in-flight explosion. Both wings detached, all four engines separated as well as the stabs and out of control, the airplane dove into the ground and crashed in an open field located in Greenwood, about 37 miles northwest of Chicago Airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 27 occupants were killed.

While approaching Michigan City on a taxi flight from Chicago, the twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed into Lake Michigan few miles off shore. The aircraft was destroyed and all four occupants were killed.

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.

The approach to New Orleans-Lakefront Airport was completed in limited visibility due to low ceiling and foggy conditions. The twin engine airplane struck the water surface and crashed into Lake Pontchartrain. The wreckage was found about 400 yards to the left of the localizer and all seven occupants were killed.

The pilot was completing a positioning flight to Chicago-Merrill C. Meigs Airport and while descending, he encountered poor weather conditions with low ceiling, fog and limited visibility. He lost control of the airplane that crashed into Lake Michigan. Few debris were found while the main wreckage was not recovered. Both occupants were presumed dead.

After takeoff from Wheeling-Palwaukee Airport, while climbing, the pilot declared an emergency after an explosion on the left engine. He was cleared to return for an emergency landing and continued the approach when, upon touchdown, the airplane went out of control and crashed in flames. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

On final approach, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck an embankment located 300 feet short of runway 03 threshold. Upon impact, the undercarriage were torn off, the airplane nosed down and crashed. Both pilots were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.