Zone
Crash of a Volpar Turboliner 18 in Saint Clair Shores
Date & Time:
Nov 19, 1987 at 1725 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N10AS
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Newark - Detroit
MSN:
N-467
YOM:
1950
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total hours on type:
80.00
Aircraft flight hours:
15800
Circumstances:
While enroute to home base after delivery of revenue cargo, the pilot experienced a total loss of engine power in both engines due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot performed emergency procedures and set the aircraft up for a forced landing in a grassy field on the edge of a lake. The aircraft initially impacted a tree and the rocky berm of the shoreline. The contact with the berm caused the landing gear to break off, the aircraft swerved around and skidded backwards before coming to a rest about 150 feet from the lakeshore. Post accident investigation revealed less than 2 gallons of fuel in each wing tank.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (total) - nonmechanical
Phase of operation: descent
Findings
1. (c) fluid, fuel - exhaustion
2. Engine instruments, fuel quantity gage - incorrect
3. Inattentive - pilot in command
4. (c) planning/decision - poor - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
Findings
5. Object - tree(s)
6. Terrain condition - berm
7. Terrain condition - rough/uneven
8. Landing gear - collapsed
Phase of operation: descent
Findings
1. (c) fluid, fuel - exhaustion
2. Engine instruments, fuel quantity gage - incorrect
3. Inattentive - pilot in command
4. (c) planning/decision - poor - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
Findings
5. Object - tree(s)
6. Terrain condition - berm
7. Terrain condition - rough/uneven
8. Landing gear - collapsed
Final Report:
Crash of a Beechcraft G18S in Janesville
Date & Time:
Feb 26, 1986 at 0516 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N723T
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Detroit - Janesville
MSN:
BA-579
YOM:
1961
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total hours on type:
5700.00
Aircraft flight hours:
11676
Circumstances:
The aircraft impacted the ground about 1,000 feet to the left of the runway. The pilot stated that he did not have visual contact with the ground and remembers attempting to make a missed approach. Conditions were IMC. The pilot was seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: missed approach (ifr)
Findings
1. (c) decision height - below - pilot in command
2. (c) missed approach - delayed - pilot in command
3. Motivation - pilot in command
4. (f) weather condition - obscuration
5. (f) weather condition - low ceiling
6. Light condition - dawn
Phase of operation: missed approach (ifr)
Findings
1. (c) decision height - below - pilot in command
2. (c) missed approach - delayed - pilot in command
3. Motivation - pilot in command
4. (f) weather condition - obscuration
5. (f) weather condition - low ceiling
6. Light condition - dawn
Final Report:
Crash of a Convair CV-580 in Kalamazoo
Date & Time:
Jul 25, 1978 at 0702 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N4825C
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Kalamazoo - Detroit
MSN:
380
YOM:
1967
Flight number:
NCA801
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
40
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total hours on type:
5022.00
Copilot / Total hours on type:
239
Aircraft flight hours:
53343
Aircraft flight cycles:
24284
Circumstances:
Just after takeoff from runway 17, while in initial climb, the left engine suffered a bird strike (sparrowhawk). The autofeather system activated and the airplane flew for 79 seconds when it banked left and crashed in a corn field. Three passengers were seriously injured while 40 other occupants were unhurt. the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The failure of the captain to follow the prescribed engine-out procedures during instrument meteorological conditions, which allowed the aircraft to decelerate into a flight regime from which he could not recover. Contributing to the accident were inadequate cockpit coordination and discipline.
Final Report:
Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Toledo: 2 killed
Date & Time:
Jun 26, 1975 at 2228 LT
Registration:
N791A
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Detroit - Louisville - Paducah
MSN:
BA-103
YOM:
1955
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total hours on type:
2890.00
Circumstances:
While cruising by night on a cargo flight, the crew encountered technical problems and the copilot informed ATC about the failure of an engine. The crew was cleared to divert to Toledo-Express for an emergency landing when, on final approach, the airplane struck power cables and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure following cylinder assembly failure. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fatigue fracture,
- Improper maintenance,
- Unapproved modification,
- Oil exhaustion on engine lubrication system,
- Oil exhaustion on propeller system,
- Fatigue of the cylinder head,
- Standpipe cut off flush with bottom of oil tank.
- Fatigue fracture,
- Improper maintenance,
- Unapproved modification,
- Oil exhaustion on engine lubrication system,
- Oil exhaustion on propeller system,
- Fatigue of the cylinder head,
- Standpipe cut off flush with bottom of oil tank.
Final Report:
Crash of a Rockwell Sabreliner 75A in Pontiac: 1 killed
Date & Time:
Feb 23, 1975 at 1953 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N5107
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Detroit - Pontiac
MSN:
380-8
YOM:
1974
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total hours on type:
82.00
Circumstances:
The approach to Pontiac-Oakland County Airport was initiated by night and poor weather conditions. On final, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the aircraft struck trees and crashed in flames about four miles short of runway. The copilot was killed while the captain was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Improper IFR operation on part of the crew. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Poor crew coordination,
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Fog,
- Digital frequence RNAV system in use.
- Poor crew coordination,
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Fog,
- Digital frequence RNAV system in use.
Final Report:
Crash of a Piper PA-31P Pressurized Navajo in Willoughby: 6 killed
Date & Time:
Jan 25, 1974 at 1850 LT
Registration:
N7672L
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Canton - Detroit - Willoughby
MSN:
31-7300154
YOM:
1973
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total hours on type:
29.00
Circumstances:
While approaching Willoughby-Cuyahoga County Airport by night, one of the propeller oversped. The pilot lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed onto a house located few miles short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and all four occupants were killed. Two people leaving in the house were also killed. Those killed in the plane were the pilot Elmer Holomok Jr. and the passengers Charles Kinzig and Mr. & Mrs. Cecil Kopperman. Those killed in the house were Mr. & Mrs. John Macek.
Probable cause:
Loss of control on final following a propeller failure. The following factors were reported:
- Improper operation of powerplant & powerplant controls,
- Inadequate inspection of aircraft on part of the maintenance personnel,
- Inadequate inspection of aircraft on part of the pilot/owner,
- Failure of propeller and accessories,
- RPM uncontrollable and overspeed,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Suspected mechanical discrepancy,
- Schrader valve cap and stem were missing,
- No aircharge in cylinder.
- Improper operation of powerplant & powerplant controls,
- Inadequate inspection of aircraft on part of the maintenance personnel,
- Inadequate inspection of aircraft on part of the pilot/owner,
- Failure of propeller and accessories,
- RPM uncontrollable and overspeed,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Suspected mechanical discrepancy,
- Schrader valve cap and stem were missing,
- No aircharge in cylinder.
Final Report:
Crash of a Beechcraft E18S off Cleveland: 1 killed
Date & Time:
Mar 20, 1973
Registration:
N1900R
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Cleveland - Detroit
MSN:
BA-25
YOM:
1955
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total hours on type:
1000.00
Circumstances:
Crashed into Lake Erie en route from Cleveland to Detroit. The wreckage was never found.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:
Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo off Milwaukee: 1 killed
Date & Time:
Jul 21, 1972 at 0810 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N212AD
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Detroit - Milwaukee
MSN:
31-160
YOM:
1968
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
While flying over Lake Michigan on a flight from Detroit to Milwaukee, the twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed into Lake Michigan, few miles off Milwaukee. The plane wreckage and the pilot's body were never found.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:
Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Jackson: 2 killed
Date & Time:
Feb 16, 1972 at 0255 LT
Registration:
N80398
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Chicago - Jackson - Detroit
MSN:
A-369
YOM:
1947
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Shortly after a night takeoff from Jackson-Reynolds Airport, while in initial climb, the twin engine airplane banked right and crashed in flames. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine during initial climb for undetermined reason. The following factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Failed to obtain/maintain flying speed,
- Airframe ice,
- Icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain,
- Evidence of little power on right engine,
- Observer saw ice on aircraft before and after accident,
- Cargo not secured.
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Failed to obtain/maintain flying speed,
- Airframe ice,
- Icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain,
- Evidence of little power on right engine,
- Observer saw ice on aircraft before and after accident,
- Cargo not secured.
Final Report:
