Kalamazoo-Battle Creek | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The aircraft was at cruise altitude (9,000 feet) for approximately 20 minutes when the pilot reported the loss of right engine power. Chicago ARTCC reported the closest airport was Kalamazoo, 28 miles west. The aircraft began to descend and at 0330:53 Chicago ARTCC reported N554AC was approximately 6 miles from Kalamazoo Airport. The pilot reported 'my right engine cowling is gone...I don't know if I'm going to make it.' Witnesses observed the aircraft at 'tree top level' and impact in a heavily wooded area near interstate 94, 5 miles from the airport. Investigation revealed improper weld repairs to the right engine case and separation of the number 2 cylinder from the case due to fatigue cracking in the through bolts and studs. The top section of the engine cowling separated due to the force of the cylinder separation. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (total) - mech failure/malf
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
1. 1 engine - failure, total
2. Engine assembly, crankcase - cracked
3. (c) maintenance, major repair - improper - other maintenance personnel
4. (c) engine assembly, other - fatigue
5. (c) engine assembly, cylinder - separation
6. (c) cooling system, cowling - separation
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Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
Findings
7. (f) light condition - bright night
8. (f) unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected - pilot in command
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Occurrence #3: in flight collision with object
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Findings
9. (f) object - tree(s)

Final Report:

Crash of a Convair CV-580 in Kalamazoo

Date & Time: Jul 25, 1978 at 0702 LT

Type of aircraft:

Convair CV-580

Operator:

Registration:

N4825C

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Kalamazoo - Detroit

MSN:

380

YOM:

1967

Flight number:

NCA801

Location:

Kalamazoo-Battle Creek

Michigan

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

9479

Captain / Total hours on type:

5022.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

2490

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 TC-45J Expeditor in Portage: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 24, 1970 at 0353 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor

Operator:

Buckeye Air Services

Registration:

N3766

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Detroit - Chicago

MSN:

6633

YOM:

1944

Location:

Kalamazoo-Battle Creek

Michigan

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

13410

Captain / Total hours on type:

41.00

Circumstances:

On a night cargo flight from Detroit to Chicago, the crew encountered technical problems with the left engine that failed. The crew feathered its propeller and was cleared to divert to Kalamazoo Airport for an emergency landing. On final approach, the crew was unable to lower the gear so the captain decided to make a go-around and increased full power on the right engine when the airplane lost height and crashed in Portage, about 2,5 miles southwest of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and both crew members were killed.

Probable cause:

Failure of the left engine in flight for undetermined reason. Loss of control during a go-around manoeuvre after the crew failed to obtain flying speed as the flaps were fully deployed. The following findings were reported:
- Powerplant failure for undetermined reason,
- The pilot-in-command failed to obtain/maintain flying speed,
- The pilot-in-command misused or failed to use flaps,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Suspected mechanical discrepancy,
- Left engine propeller feathered in flight.

Final Report: