Zone

Crash of a Piper PA-42-1000 Cheyenne 400LS in Lewistown

Date & Time: Dec 13, 2022 at 1006 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
C-GZPU
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Great Falls – Lewistown
MSN:
42-5527011
YOM:
1984
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The flight crew reported that, the instrument approach was flown on autopilot to about 700 ft above ground level until the runway was visually in sight. They were 300 ft off the runway centerline, and 1 nautical mile from the runway threshold. The visual glideslope indicator was inoperative, and the runway markings were obscured due to dry light snow. The airplane subsequently landed hard on the unusable portion of the runway, about 800 ft short of the landing threshold, and the left mail landing gear tire blew, causing the propeller to strike the runway. The airplane veered off the runway substantially damaging the left wing. The pilots reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable cause:
The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the out of service visual glideslope indicator and snow obscuring the runway markings.
Final Report:

Crash of a Raytheon 390 Premier in Lewistown

Date & Time: Dec 23, 2008 at 1500 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N20NL
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Kansas City - Lewistown
MSN:
RB-106
YOM:
2004
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
13750
Captain / Total hours on type:
1927.00
Aircraft flight hours:
1927
Circumstances:
Prior to departure, the pilot was informed that it had been raining; the roads were wet, but no mention of ice at his destination. During the approach to the destination airport, the runway appeared "wet", and a normal approach and landing was attempted. The airplane touched down at 110 knots, the pilot "then deployed lift dump and [then applied the] brakes". Unable to get braking action, the pilot tried to slide the airplane "left and right" to get traction, but could not. The airplane departed the south end of the 4,370-foot-long runway, went over the edge of an embankment and stopped next to a levee. There were no reported pre-impact malfunctions with the airplane. The Manufacturer Approved Airplane Flight Manual Supplement for Airplanes Operating on Wet and contaminated Runways; General Information Section, states operations on runways contaminated with ice or wet ice are not recommended and no operational information is provided. Using the supplement, the anticipated landing distance on a wet runway was calculated to be about 3,400 feet, the anticipated landing distance on an uncontaminated runway was calculated to be approximately 2,800 feet, and the prescribed landing speed (Vref) was determined to be about 111 knots. A braking action (runway condition) report for the private airfield's runway did not exist, nor was one required.
Probable cause:
The pilot's loss of directional control during landing on an ice-contaminated runway.
Final Report:

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina in Lewistown: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 9, 1985 at 0844 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N84857
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Lewistown - Reno
MSN:
1522
YOM:
1944
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
6838
Captain / Total hours on type:
19.00
Aircraft flight hours:
1481
Circumstances:
During taxi to takeoff the brakes failed. The pilot attempted to ground loop the aircraft. The aircraft rolled down a hill and collided with a gully. The pilot was fatally injured. During preflight the copilot inadvertently added hydraulic fluid in the alcohol tank. The hydraulic pump cavitated. The pilot failed to use the hydraulic emergency hand pump or the a.c. Electric pump.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: miscellaneous/other
Phase of operation: standing - pre-flight
Findings
1. (f) fluid, hydraulic - inadequate
2. (c) aircraft preflight - inadequate - pilot in command
3. (f) acft/equip inadequate, visual restriction - copilot/second pilot
4. (f) hydraulic system, reservoir - low level
5. (c) aircraft service - improper - copilot/second pilot
6. (f) window, inspection/observation - blocked (partial)
7. (f) crew/group coordination - poor - pilot in command
8. (f) anti-ice/deice system, propeller - unmarked
9. (c) supervision - poor - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: airframe/component/system failure/malfunction
Phase of operation: taxi - to takeoff
Findings
10. Hydraulic system, pump - failure, total
11. Brakes (normal) - selected - pilot in command
12. (c) hydraulic system - pressure too low
13. (c) brakes (emergency) - not used - pilot in command
14. (c) safety system (other) - not engaged
15. (c) emergency procedure - not followed - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: loss of control - on ground/water
Phase of operation: taxi - to takeoff
Findings
16. Ground loop/swerve - attempted - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #4: on ground/water encounter with terrain/water
Phase of operation: other
Findings
17. Terrain condition - ditch
Final Report: