La Crosse

The 2,100-hour instrument-rated private pilot stated that prior to departure for a 507 nautical mile cross-country flight, the fuel gauges indicated approximately 800 pounds of fuel on each side for a total of 1600 pounds; however, he did not visually check the amount of fuel that the tanks contained. During his approach to the destination airport, the right engine started to "sputter" before it finally quit. The pilot then "looked over at the fuel gauges and both tanks were showing empty." The left engine quit just a few moments later. The auto ignition installed in the airplane attempted to restart the engines. The engines restarted momentarily and then shut-off once more. The pilot declared an emergency and executed a forced landing onto a street below. After a hard landing onto the street, the right wing hit a telephone pole, and the left wing then hit several tree limbs before the airplane impacted a hill and came to a stop. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, found the fuel transfer switch in the "right-crossfeed" position. The fuel system was examined and no leaks or anomalies were found. Approximately three-quarters of a gallon of unusable fuel was found in the right engine nacelle. Approximately four gallons (28 pounds) of usable fuel was found in the left engine nacelle.

The airplane was level at FL220 at night when vertical fluctuations in altitude up to 500 feet above altitude were noted by the Salt Lake Center controller. Immediately thereafter, the aircraft began a descent and transponder targets were lost. A trajectory study showed the aircraft descending in a tight right turn. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the right elevator separated in negative overload with both wings separating negatively. Wreckage distribution established separation of the empennage and its associated control surfaces before the separation of the wings. A preimpact fire was witnessed and the main fuselage was destroyed by an intense post crash fire. The initiating event which resulted in the altitude divergence and descending turn could not be determined.

While on a night ILS approach to Alpena-County-Phelps-Collins Airport, the pilot encountered marginal weather conditions and failed to realize his altitude was too low. On short final, the twin engine airplane struck the ground and crashed 1,6 mile short of runway 36. The airplane was destroyed upon impact and all three occupants were killed.

While in cruising altitude on a night cargo flight from La Crosse to Minneapolis, the pilot lost control of the airplane that dove into the ground and crashed in a field. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

On final approach to La Crosse Airport by night on a cargo flight from Chicago, the pilot lost control of the airplane that nosed down and crashed few dozen yards short of runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.

While executing a non precision instrument approach to La Crosse Airport in marginal weather conditions, the crew failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the airplane struck tree trops and crashed 4,000 feet short of runway 13 threshold. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and there was no fire. All six occupants were seriously injured. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were considered as poor with indefinite ceiling, 500 feet obscuration, visibility half a mile, light drizzle and fog.

A landing was made at Lone Rock, to repair anemometer gear pump. Shortly after taking off from Lone Rock, back firing occurred and a second landing was made. Additionnal work was done on the pump and again, after getting into the air it failed to work. While circling field at La Crosse, the aircraft apparently lost control and made a nose dive. All three crew members were killed.
Crew:
William Carroll, pilot
Hiram H. Rowe, pilot
Robert B. Hill, mechanic.