Oklahoma City-Will Rogers

The twin-engine airplane impacted the ground in an uncontrolled descent following the inflight separation of the right wing during a normal descent. The airplane had accumulated a total time of 20,457 hours and had been flown 52 hours since the most recent annual inspection, which was performed by the current operator 3 weeks prior to the accident. Available maintenance records indicated that since 1988, maintenance personnel had made numerous repairs to the right wing, including repairing skin cracks, working rivets, wing stub spar straps, and the right main landing gear. Metallurgical examination revealed that the right wing's front spar failed due to fatigue that started at an area of mechanical damage and rough machining marks. The presence of primer covering the mechanical damage strongly suggests that the damage was produced during the manufacturing process. It could not be determined whether the mechanical damage or the machining, acting alone, could have caused the fatigue cracking to initiate. Fatigue cracking found on the rear spar and the forward auxiliary spar is most likely secondary fatigue due to load shedding as the crack grew in the front spar.

The pilot obtained a weather briefing for the IFR flight to Taos, New Mexico, and was advised of forecast conditions for light to moderate rime icing and moderate turbulence at his destination. During descent, about 30 nm east of the Taos VOR, at 15,200 feet, the pilot reported 'light rime icing' and 3 minutes later 'freezing rain.' The airplane was cleared for the VOR DME-B approach to the Taos Airport, and radar services were terminated. The airplane impacted the ground in a steep nose down attitude 7 nm southeast of the VOR and 1 nm right of the inbound approach course. Weather data indicated that the airplane entered clouds about 6 nm east of where 'light rime' was reported and remained in the clouds until it descended below 10,000 feet. Meteorological investigation indicated that the freezing level was about 10,700 feet. Radar data revealed cyclic variations in the airplane's ground speed from 120 to 190 knots, as it crossed the high mountain range east of taos. There was a pirep of severe turbulence on the eastern slope of the mountain range. All four occupants were killed.

The airplane impacted terrain approx 14 miles from the destination during a descent. According to radar data and meteorological information, the airplane descended from 16,700 feet to 3,700 feet agl through clouds and icing conditions. During the descent, the airplane decelerated from 268 kts to 92 kts ground speed. The pilot reported to approach that he 'broke out' of the clouds at 5,400 feet. He subsequently informed approach that he had accumulated 'some clear and rime ice' during the descent. 13 seconds later the pilot made a distress call and stated, 'we're in trouble, we're going down.' The last radar track showed the airplane descending through 3,700 feet at a ground speed of 92 kts. A witness reported he observed that the airplane 'appeared to be doing tricks', and 'then headed straight down in a spin.' An airmet for icing conditions was in effect along the airplane's route of flight. Also, there were several pilot reports of icing encountered in the area of the accident. The pilot did not request a weather briefing prior to, or during the flight.

The non-instrument rated pilot crashed about three hours after taking off with 4 1/2 hours of fuel on board. He crashed while attempting an off airport landing in a large field. The field was located less than half way to his destination. The sheriff reported minimum visibility with snow and freezing rain. The occupant received only minor injuries, but the plane was destroyed by impact and ground fire. An examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of a pre-impact malfunction/failure of the engine or in flight fire. The pilot provided the following account: he was cruising above an overcast at 17,500 feet when the left engine began cutting out and forced him to descend through the clouds; he descended to VFR conditions at 1,200 feet agl over snow covered terrain and determined his location by viewing a water tower. He then elected to land in a field when he saw smoke and fire coming from the engine cowling. While landing, the left wing dropped and touched down first.

On approach to Oklahoma City-Will Rogers Airport, the twin engine airplane stalled and crashed in flames in Newcastle, about 8 miles south of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were killed.

Shortly after takeoff from Oklahoma City-Will Rogers Airport, while in initial climb, the left engine failed. He feathered the left propeller then initiated a left turn when control was lost. The airplane nosed down and crashed in a huge explosion, killing all seven occupants.