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Crash of a Cessna 550 Citation II in Oklahoma City

Date & Time: May 20, 2002 at 0801 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N13VP
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Oklahoma City - Greeley
MSN:
550-0263
YOM:
1981
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
13000
Captain / Total hours on type:
150.00
Aircraft flight hours:
2956
Circumstances:
The twin-tubofan airplane overran the runway during an aborted takeoff, impacting two fences before coming to rest. The pilot reported experiencing no anomalies with the airplane during the preflight inspection and taxi portion of the flight. During takeoff roll, at V1 (103 knots), the pilot began to pull aft on the control yoke. The pilot noticed the nose landing gear was not coming off of the runway and at 120 knots, with full aft control input, elected to abort the takeoff. He pulled the power to idle and applied maximum braking. Upon seeing the localizer antennas approaching the airplane at the departure end of the runway, the pilot veered the airplane to the right of centerline. The airplane departed the runway surface and impacted the fences. Post-accident examination of the runway revealed tire skid marks on the runway that led to the airplane's final resting place. The tire skid marks measured 1,765 feet in length. Examination of the wreckage revealed no pre-existing brake system anomalies that would have hindered the airplane's braking capability. Examination of the elevator trim system revealed it was 12 degrees out of trim in the nose down direction. The airplane underwent a Phase B and Phase 1 through 5 inspections approximately 5 months prior to the accident. The manufacturer's inspection manual indicates the elevator system should be examined every Phase 5 inspection. The aircraft's flight manual informs the pilot that the right elevator and trim tab should be inspected during the exterior inspection to ensure the elevator trim tab position matches its indicator.
Probable cause:
The anomalous elevator trim system and the pilot's failure to note its improper setting prior to takeoff.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Greeley

Date & Time: Feb 21, 1990 at 0815 LT
Registration:
N3554P
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Greeley - Greeley
MSN:
31-8052052
YOM:
1980
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2455
Captain / Total hours on type:
139.00
Aircraft flight hours:
22598
Circumstances:
N3554p was on a maintenance test flight after the right wing was repaired. The pilot lost control of the airplane shortly after liftoff and was unable to regain control prior to the ground impact. The a&p mechanic who performed the repairs, re assembled the right wing aileron control cables per the Piper service manual. Post accident examination of the aileron control system revealed the right wing control cables were reversed on the aileron bellcrank, resulting in both ailerons moving the same direction (either up or down) when the control wheel was turned left or right. Both occupants were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
The improper identification of parts in the piper PA-31-350 service manual pertaining to the aileron cables. This discrepancy resulted in the improper installation of the aileron cables on the right aileron bellcrank by a mechanic during the reconstruction of the right wing. The improper connection resulted in a loss of aircraft control by the pilot immediately after takeoff. Also causal to the accident were the inadequate inspection of the flight control system by a second mechanic with inspection authorization, and the inadequate preflight inspection of the flight control system by the pilot prior to takeoff.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 404 Titan in Aurora

Date & Time: Jun 10, 1988 at 1604 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N8827K
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Greeley - Denver
MSN:
404-0424
YOM:
1978
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1400
Captain / Total hours on type:
400.00
Aircraft flight hours:
3486
Circumstances:
The pilot was on a flight from Greeley to Denver, Colorado to obtain minor maintenance on a cargo door. As the aircraft was being vectored on final approach, the pilot reported that he believed the aircraft had fuel starvation. Subsequently, the aircraft was observed to make a complete roll and crash in a residential area. Only about 1.5 gallon of fuel was found in the right wing tank. The left wing and fuel tank were destroyed, but no odor of fuel was noted on the ground around the left wing. Also, a lack of fuel was noted in the fuel lines. The aircraft had not been refueled after the previous flight. The pilot that had flown the aircraft on a previous flight estimated there was 100 lbs of fuel remaining in each tank after his flight.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (total) - nonmechanical
Phase of operation: approach - vfr pattern - final approach
Findings
1. 1 engine
2. (f) aircraft preflight - improper - pilot in command
3. (f) refueling - not performed - pilot in command
4. (f) in-flight planning/decision - improper - pilot in command
5. (f) fluid, fuel - starvation
6. (f) fuel supply - inadequate - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: approach - vfr pattern - final approach
Findings
7. (c) airspeed (vmc) - not maintained - pilot in command
8. (c) aircraft control - not maintained - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Final Report:

Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2B-60 Marquise in Scottsdale: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jan 27, 1983 at 1859 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N440MA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Greeley - Scottsdale
MSN:
1524
YOM:
1981
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
9945
Captain / Total hours on type:
957.00
Aircraft flight hours:
993
Circumstances:
The aircraft diverted from Scottsdale to a flight course to Sedona because of thunderstorms and high winds at Scottsdale, but after a radio conversation with Scottsdale tower, the pilot decided to reroute to land at Scottsdale. The pilot did not read back the weather correctly to Scottsdale tower. After descending in rain and turbulence, the pilot reported to Scottsdale at 1857 that 'we think we have the arpt at nine o'clock.' the plt was cleared to make a visual approach to rwy 21. The twr never established visual contact with the acft & was unable to make further radio contact the last recorded radar contact showed the acft at 2200 ft descending, 2 miles from scottsdale on a bearing of 075 degrees. The acft contacted the ground left wing & nose low in a landing configuration on a heading of about 300 degrees. The acft slid about 770 ft, losing the engines, wings & landing gear before stopping. A post accident examination of the wreckage showed no signs of pre-impact conditions that would have affected normal operations.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: in flight encounter with weather
Phase of operation: descent - normal
Findings
1. (f) weather evaluation - inaccurate - pilot in command
2. (f) wind information - misread - pilot in command
3. (f) flight into known adverse weather - continued - pilot in command
4. (f) weather condition - thunderstorm
5. (f) weather condition - turbulence(thunderstorms)
6. (f) weather condition - rain
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: approach
Findings
7. (f) light condition - dark night
8. (c) proper altitude - not maintained - pilot in command
9. (f) visual/aural detection - pilot in command
Final Report: