Zone
Illinois

Crash of a Beechcraft C90 King Air in Rhinelander

Date & Time: Dec 28, 1996 at 1145 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 90 King Air
Operator:
Mutual Security
Registration:
N998VB
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Moline - Rhinelander
MSN:
LJ-785
YOM:
1978
Location:
Rhinelander
Wisconsin
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
932
Captain / Total hours on type:
338.00
Aircraft flight hours:
6301
Circumstances:
There were five recorded transmissions of conversations from one of the pilots aboard the accident airplane and the Fort Dodge, Iowa AFSS; one on 12/27 and four on 12/28. The weather forecast for icing included wording such as '...moderate to isolated severe icing from seven thousand downward for your entire route of flight....' The pilot stated that he received 'Full Flight Service briefings...' and also indicated that he spoke to flight watch prior to takeoff. While executing the ILS approach to the destination airport, the pilot was unable to maintain the proper glidepath even with the application of full power. The pilot maintained marginal control of the airplane during the descent until impact with trees and the terrain about 10 miles west of the destination airport. The pilot and passengers reported 'vibration' and 'shudder' of the airplane prior to the impact. One passenger reported that she saw ice forming on the left 'rear' wings. Persons on the ground reported severe icing conditions around the time of the accident.
Probable cause:
the pilot-in-command's inadequate weather evaluation and continued flight into forecast severe icing conditions which exceeded the capabilIty of the airplane's anti-ice/deice system. The icing conditions were a factor.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C90 King Air in Pontiac: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 23, 1977 at 1409 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 90 King Air
Operator:
Drives Inc.
Registration:
N23796
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Moline - Hot Springs
MSN:
LJ-737
YOM:
1977
Location:
Pontiac
Illinois
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
3000
Captain / Total hours on type:
10.00
Circumstances:
While cruising at an altitude of 21,000 feet in marginal weather conditions, the airplane went out of control, spiraled to the ground and crashed in a field. The aircraft was totally destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Airframe failure in flight and uncontrolled descent for undetermined reasons. The following findings were reported:
- Overload failure,
- Separation in flight,
- Rudder, horizontal stabilizers, elevators, outboard section of left wing separated in flight.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560E in Moline: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 26, 1975 at 1814 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 560
Operator:
T. A. Maag
Registration:
N699E
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Hutchinson - Moline - Atlanta
MSN:
560-527
YOM:
1957
Location:
Moline-Quad City
Illinois
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
1599
Captain / Total hours on type:
208.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Moline-Quad City Airport, while on a flight from Hutchinson to Atlanta, both engines lost power. The airplane lost speed, stalled and crashed short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control on approach due to improper operation of powerplant and powerplant controls. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper operation or failed to use the anti-icing/deicing equipment,
- Ice induction,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Conditions conducive to carburetor/induction system icing,
- Partial loss of power on both engines,
- Obscuration,
- Visibility 1/2 mile or less,
- wind gusting to 22 knots,
- Ram air hoses blocked by cakes of ice and snow,
- Buildup present in carburetor in chamber.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Rockford: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 2, 1975 at 2229 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft E18
Operator:
BJ Aero Freight
Registration:
N7581
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Postal (mail)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Ottumwa - Moline - Rockford
MSN:
BA-425
YOM:
1959
Location:
Rockford-Greater Rockford
Illinois
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
2295
Captain / Total hours on type:
383.00
Circumstances:
While on a night approach to Rockford-Greater Rockford Airport, the airplane banked sharply to the left then lost height and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and the passenger was killed while both pilots were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Failed to maintain flying speed and failed to use or incorrectly used miscellaneous equipment. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain,
- Airframe ice,
- Moderate rime ice during descent.
Final Report:

Crash of a Fairchild C-82A Packet in Moline

Date & Time: Jul 11, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild C-82 Packet
Operator:
Registration:
45-57799
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
10169
YOM:
1945
Location:
Moline-Quad City
Illinois
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Moline-Quad City Airport, an engine failed. The aircraft stalled and crashed in flames in a field short of runway. There were no injuries but the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
Engine failure on final approach.

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL in Moline: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 21, 1946 at 0419 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Trans-Luxury Airlines - TLA
Registration:
NC51878
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Chicago – Omaha
MSN:
4542
YOM:
1942
Location:
Moline-Quad City
Illinois
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
22
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
2589
Copilot / Total flying hours:
3452
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1500
Aircraft flight hours:
4121
Circumstances:
The aircraft left Chicago Airport at 0303LT bound for Omaha on a charter flight with 22 passengers and a crew of three on board. Less than one hour into the flight, while cruising at an altitude of 4,000 feet via the route Green 3, a small explosion occurred in the left engine, forcing the crew to shut this engine down and to feather the propeller. The captain informed ATC of his situation and obtained the permission to divert to Moline Airport located 35 miles from his position. On final approach to runway 22, the captain realized that his position to the runway centerline was wrong and elected to make a go around. With undercarriage and flaps down, he made a turn to the left when the left wing tip hit the ground, causing the aircraft to crash in a field. Both pilots were killed while 23 other occupants were injured, some of them seriously. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
On the basis of the foregoing, the Board determines that the probable cause of the accident was the faulty execution of an emergency single engine approach following failure of the left engine in flight. A contributing factor was the failure of the pilot to exercise sufficient caution by having, a qualified mechanic determine the reasons for oil leakage in the left engine prior to departure from Chicago. Investigations revealed that the failure of the left engine was caused by a fracture of the cylinder number 5.
Final Report:

Crash of a Travel Air 5000 in Davenport

Date & Time: Jan 30, 1929 at 1815 LT
Type of aircraft:
Travel Air 5000
Operator:
Registration:
NC769
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Postal (mail)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Kansas City – Moline
MSN:
176A
YOM:
1927
Location:
Davenport
Iowa
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route from Kansas City to Moline, while approaching Davenport, weather conditions deteriorate with heavy snow falls and icing conditions. The pilot lost his orientation and decided to bail out. He abandoned the airplane that entered a dive and crashed in a field. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot John 'Jack' Barton was uninjured.
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