Knoxville-McGee Tyson

The pilot departed Knoxville on a local pleasure flight to the Gatlinburg area. A few minutes into the flight, the pilot requested the ILS approach to Knoxville. About two minutes after the initial request, he requested immediate radar vectors. The controller requested the flight's altitude, but there was no reply from the pilot. The aircraft collided with trees at the 3,500 foot level of rising terrain seven miles southwest of gatlinburg. A hiker reported hearing, the sound of the engines running until the airplane collided with trees. The hiker also stated that clouds obscured the tops of the mountains. Examination of the accident site disclosed that wreckage debris was scattered over an area 650 feet long and 75 feet wide. The wreckage examination failed to disclose a mechanical problem. Sole on board, the pilot was killed.

N500AK encountered icing in flight before start of ILS approach. Radar data showed that before reaching outer marker, it slowed in a manner that was consistent with a power reduction (or partial loss of power), then it entered a steep descent and crashed. Examination revealed engines were not operating at impact and that propellers had been feathered. No preimpact part failure or malfunction of engines, propellers or anti-ice system was found. There was evidence that engine inlet anti-ice annunciator lights and stability augmentation system (SAS) fault warning light were illuminated during impact. The engine manufacturer reported that flameouts had occurred in other aircraft, during or following operation in icing conditions, sometimes after descent into warmer air. Flight manual noted that if icing was encountered with anti-ice system off, select continuous ignition and then select engine and propeller heat (1 engine at a time, ensuring first engine was operating satisfactorily before selecting second engine) and engage sas heat. All four occupants were killed.

After a series of instrument procedures, the flight returned to Knoxville and landed. On the next takeoff, the first officer dropped the airplane's checklist and the check airman elected to continue the flight without using the checklist. On the next visual approach, the check airman and first officer attempted a landing without lowering the landing gear. The airplane touched down and both propeller assemblies struck the concrete runway surface. The pilot reported the gearup touchdown to the control tower and elected to go around. During the climbout the check airman lowered the landing gear, established a teardrop pattern for the opposite runway and feathered the right propeller. Crash fire rescue (cfr) equipment was alerted and was in position for the second landing attempt. While on short final, the check airman called for max power, a reduction in the flap setting, and initiated a single engine go-around below 200 feet. There is no operational procedure for a single engine go-around below 200 feet. The airplane climbed briefly and crashed inverted about 7,500 feet from the approach end of the runway. Both pilots were killed.

The relatively low time, non-instrument rated, private pilot flew passengers to Savannah, GA. On the return flight, he made a refueling stop at Knoxville, TN. He filed no flight plan at Knoxville and no record of an en route weather briefing was found. At 2236 edt, the pilot contacted the tower and said he would 'like to VFR to Louisville with a heading of 330°. He took off at 2249 and received departure vectors until cleared on course. Radar service was terminated, 23 miles northwest of Knoxville. Subsequently, the aircraft hit trees and crashed on rising terrain near the top of a ridge, 30 miles northwest of Knoxville. Impact occurred at approximately 3,000 feet msl on a heading of 290°. Weather at Knoxville (elev 930 feet) was in part: 3,700 feet overcast, visibility 5 miles with fog and rain. No evidence of a preimpact part failure or malfunction was found during the investigation. Mountain peaks in the vicinity of the crash site were up to 3,390 feet. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

While en route on an IFR flight plan at FL180, the pilot acknowledged instructions to descend to 16,000 feet. Later, the radar controller noticed the aircraft had deviate from course and was not replying with mode 'C' altitude info. The controller requested altitude info and the pilot responded, '. . . I've lost an (awful) lot of altitude, I got mixed up in here and lost altitude, I'm goin' back up . . .' When queried, the pilot reported he was at 9,000 feet and acknowledged instructions to climb to 14,000 feet. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft entered a spiral, then radio and radar contact were lost. An in-flight breakup occurred and the wreckage fell over a widespread area. An exam revealed evidence the wings and right horizontal stabilizer had failed from overload, with the wings separating in an upward direction. A weather study indicated there were cloud layers from about 14,000 feet to 20,000 feet with light to moderate mixed icing in clouds above 14,000 feet. Also, light to moderate turbulences was forecast below 20,000 feet and widely scattered, imbedded thunderstorms were forecast in an area north of the accident area. Witnesses reported clouds and occasional lightning to the east. All four occupants were killed.

The copilot stated that when he began the approach to the destination airport, the weather condition was hazy and he delayed his descent slightly until he located the airport. When he saw the runway, he believed that they were a little too close, so he indicated to the captain that he would like to make a 360° turn. At that point, the captain assumed control of the aircraft and continued the approach to runway 04. According to witnesses, the aircraft touched down long. According to the captain, he tried several applications of the normal braking system, but got no response. He then tried the emergency brakes and asked the copilot to get on the brakes, but reported there was no braking. Subsequently the aircraft went off the end of the runway, went over an embankment and hit a fence. It came to rest on a second embankment where it exploded and burned. Tire marks with evidence of braking action were found starting 2,377 feet beyond the runway threshold. A required field length of approximately 2,600 feet was calculated for landing. No pre-impact part failure/malfunction was found. VASI lights were inoperative. Both pilots escaped with minor injuries.

The pilot was cleared to descend at his discretion to 2,500 feet 34 miles south of Knoxville Airport. While descending at an altitude of 3,800 feet, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed in flames in a wooded area located in the Smoky Mountain Range. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were killed.

After takeoff from Knoxville-McGee Tyson Airport, while on a local flight, the pilot lost control of the airplane that dove into the ground and crashed in an open field located in Alcoa, south of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed. It was determined that the pilot was intoxicated.