Zone
Crash of a Rockwell 1121B Jet Commander in Las Carboneras: 4 killed
Date & Time:
May 20, 1997 at 1845 LT
Registration:
N1121F
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
El Paso - Toluca
MSN:
1121-150
YOM:
1969
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
While cruising at an altitude of 37,000 feet on a flight from El Paso to Toluca, the was cleared to climb to 41,000 feet to avoid a thunderstorm area. Shortly later, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed near the village of Las Carboneras. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control during cruise flight after the aircraft encountered severe turbulences while flying in thunderstorm area with cumulonimbus and severe turbulences.
Final Report:
Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Brownsville
Date & Time:
Jan 9, 1995 at 1622 LT
Registration:
N50WT
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Cancún – El Paso
MSN:
31-7952018
YOM:
1979
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During an international cross country flight the private pilot, certificated single engine land, experienced a dual engine power loss as he was being vectored to the Brownsville Airport. Following the accident the aircraft was examined by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector who found that there was fuel in the left fuel tank and that the fuel selector was in the right tank position. The pilot had reported, prior to loss of engine power, that he had low fuel indications in the right tank and that he needed a vector to Brownsville. The aircraft was landed in rough and uneven terrain, resulting in damage to the structure and wings, approximately 1/2 mile short of the runway.
Probable cause:
The fuel starvation loss of engine power due to the pilot's improper use of the fuel tank selector. Factors were the pilot's qualification and the lack of suitable terrain for landing.
Final Report:
Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680 in El Paso: 3 killed
Date & Time:
Feb 19, 1988 at 0958 LT
Registration:
N634SA
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
El Paso - Palm Springs
MSN:
680-0509-179
YOM:
1957
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total hours on type:
95.00
Circumstances:
The non-instrument rated, non multi-engine rated pilot, whose medical had expired, lost control of the aircraft during an IFR flight in instrument meteorological conditions. The aircraft crashed and burned. The pilot was attempting to return and land after he reported a landing gear problem. It could not be determined what landing gear malfunction existed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: airframe/component/system failure/malfunction
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
1. (f) landing gear - undetermined
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: maneuvering
Findings
2. (f) weather condition - low ceiling
3. (f) weather condition - fog
4. (c) planning/decision - poor - pilot in command
5. (c) airspeed - not maintained - pilot in command
6. (c) stall - inadvertent - pilot in command
7. (f) lack of total instrument time - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Findings
8. Terrain condition - roadway/highway
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
1. (f) landing gear - undetermined
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: maneuvering
Findings
2. (f) weather condition - low ceiling
3. (f) weather condition - fog
4. (c) planning/decision - poor - pilot in command
5. (c) airspeed - not maintained - pilot in command
6. (c) stall - inadvertent - pilot in command
7. (f) lack of total instrument time - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Findings
8. Terrain condition - roadway/highway
Final Report:
Crash of a Cessna T303 Crusader near Englewood: 2 killed
Date & Time:
Jan 11, 1988 at 2010 LT
Registration:
N9565T
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Englewood - El Paso
MSN:
303-00027
YOM:
1981
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total hours on type:
42.00
Aircraft flight hours:
1070
Circumstances:
The pilot obtained two weather briefings and filed an IFR flight plan to El Paso, TX. He was not instrument rated. The aircraft departed Englewood at 1959 and disappeared from radar at 2010. The crash site was 11- 1/2 miles southeast of the Kiowa vortac and 36 miles southeast of Englewood. Radar showed a 15-miles wide band of snow showers southeast of the Kiowa vortac. Ground witnesses reported blizzard conditions. Pilot medical certificate stated, 'not valid for night flight or by color control.' Pilot autopsy also disclosed 'myxomatous alteration of the mitral valve, consistent with mitral valve prolapse (floppy mitral valve).' Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: in flight encounter with weather
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
1. (f) light condition - dark night
2. (c) flight into known adverse weather - initiated - pilot in command
3. (f) self-induced pressure - pilot in command
4. (f) lack of total instrument time - pilot in command
5. (f) weather condition - high wind
6. (f) weather condition - gusts
7. (f) weather condition - snow
8. (f) weather condition - obscuration
9. (f) weather condition - turbulence
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: maneuvering
Findings
10. (c) spatial disorientation - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Findings
11. Terrain condition - snow covered
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
1. (f) light condition - dark night
2. (c) flight into known adverse weather - initiated - pilot in command
3. (f) self-induced pressure - pilot in command
4. (f) lack of total instrument time - pilot in command
5. (f) weather condition - high wind
6. (f) weather condition - gusts
7. (f) weather condition - snow
8. (f) weather condition - obscuration
9. (f) weather condition - turbulence
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: maneuvering
Findings
10. (c) spatial disorientation - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Findings
11. Terrain condition - snow covered
Final Report:
Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2B-20 Marquise in El Paso: 1 killed
Date & Time:
Oct 16, 1985 at 2301 LT
Registration:
N23CD
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Albuquerque – El Paso
MSN:
142
YOM:
1969
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total hours on type:
1200.00
Circumstances:
The pilot canceled his IFR flight plan and attempted to fly VFR at a relatively low altitude over mountainous terrain with low scattered clouds on a dark night. He reported a large lighted area as being downtown El Paso when in reality it was most likely Coronado Hills, a development on the west side of Franklin Mountain located approximately 4 miles north of the south end of the mountain. This was probably due to having just descended from IFR conditions into VFR conditions. His familiarity with the area, combined with his method of flight operation (as related by a professional acquaintance), probably gave a false sense of security and overconfidence in his personal ability. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: in flight encounter with weather
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
1. (f) in-flight planning/decision - poor - pilot in command
2. (c) vfr flight into imc - inadvertent - pilot in command
3. (c) vfr procedures - improper use of - pilot in command
4. (f) weather condition - clouds
5. (f) light condition - dark night
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
6. (c) became lost/disoriented - misjudged - pilot in command
7. (f) overconfidence in personal ability - pilot in command
8. (f) terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
1. (f) in-flight planning/decision - poor - pilot in command
2. (c) vfr flight into imc - inadvertent - pilot in command
3. (c) vfr procedures - improper use of - pilot in command
4. (f) weather condition - clouds
5. (f) light condition - dark night
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
6. (c) became lost/disoriented - misjudged - pilot in command
7. (f) overconfidence in personal ability - pilot in command
8. (f) terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
Final Report:
