Elyria-Lorain County

On his first Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach, the pilot initially flew through the localizer course. The pilot then reestablished the airplane on the final approach course, but the airplane’s altitude at the decision height was about 500 feet too high. He executed a missed approach and received radar vectors for another approach. The airplane was flying inbound on the second ILS approach when a witness reported that he saw the airplane about 150 feet above the ground in about a 60-degree nose-low attitude with about an 80-degree right bank angle. The initial ground impact point was about 2,150 feet west of the runway threshold and about 720 feet north (left) of the extended centerline. The cloud tops were about 3,000 feet with light rime or mixed icing. The flap jack screws and flap indicator were found in the 5-degree flap position. The inspection of the airplane revealed no preimpact anomalies to the airframe, engines, or propellers. A radar study performed on the flight indicated that the calibrated airspeed was about 130 knots on the final approach, but subsequently decreased to about 95–100 knots during the 20-second period prior to loss of radar contact. According to the airplane’s flight manual, the wings-level power-off stall speed at the accident aircraft’s weight is about 91 knots. The ILS approach flight profile indicates that 20 degrees of flaps should be used at the glide slope intercept while maintaining 120 knots minimum airspeed. At least 20 degrees of flaps should be maintained until touchdown. The “No Flap” or “5 Degrees Flap Landing” flight profile indicates that the NO FLAP Vref airspeed is 115 knots calibrated airspeed minimum.

Witnesses saw the airplane depart and last saw and heard it with the landing gear down and both engines running at what they called normal takeoff power. Evidence indicated that the airplane then made a sharp left turn and descended to the ground, left wing first. Evidence indicated that the right engine was developing high power while the left engine was developing somewhat less than takeoff power. Teardown of the left engine revealed metal erosion on the top edges of the pistons with no corresponding marks on the cylinder walls. Some of this erosion was from previous operation and some was from very recent operation. There was no teardown of the right engine. Other than the erosion of the pistons, nothing was found to indicate any preimpact problems with the airframe or powerplants. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

During arrival for a LOC runway 26 approach, the pilot was advised the abyss fan marker was notamed out-of-service. With abyss inoperative, the minimum descent altitude (MDA) was 2200 feet. After N65TD was cleared for the approach, radar service was terminated and the flight was cleared to advisory frequency. The crew contacted unicom and obtained airport and weather advisory. The Unicom operator advised winds light and variable, estimated 800 feet overcast, visibility 5 miles, slush and ice reported on runway 1/2 hr earlier. After the crew reported 'procedure turn inbound,' no further transmissions were received from the aircraft. Subsequently, it hit trees on rising terrain at an elevation of approx 2200 feet, approx 7 miles before reaching the final approach fix (FAF, DALTON NDB). Minimum altitude for the approach in that area was 3000 feet. No preimpact part problems were found during the investigation. Airport elevation was 1194 feet. Radio transcripts indicated the crew were getting a weak signal from the DALTON NDB. Although not a required navaid, CHESTER VORTAC was depicted on the approach chart as an additional source to id the FAF, but was notamed as out-of-svc. The pilot did not obtain notams before flight.

The crew (an instructor and a student pilot) was completing a local training at Elyria-Lorain County Airport, Ohio. On approach, the crew initiated a go-around procedure when control was lost. The airplane crashed five miles southwest of the airport and both occupants were killed.

While cruising by night on a cargo flight from Elyria to Cincinnati, the pilot encountered technical problems with an engine and was cleared to divert to Mansfield-Lahm Airport. While completing a last turn, the airplane stalled and crashed few miles from the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was seriously injured.

The aircraft was on approach to Cleveland Airport when it suffered an engine failure. The crew attempted an emergency landing in an open field located five miles north of Elyria when the aircraft stalled and crashed in a field. Five passengers were unhurt while five others occupants were injured, both crew seriously.