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Crash of a Piper PA-46-310P Malibu near Masonville: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jun 30, 2024 at 1356 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N85PG
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Oneonta - Charleston
MSN:
46-8508066
YOM:
1985
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
At 1344LT, the single engine airplane departed Oneonta-Albert S. Nader Airport runway 06/24 on a private flight to Charleston-Yaeger Airport, West Virginie. About 12 minutes after takeoff, while climbing to FL090, the airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in the area of Masonville, about 40 km southwest of Oneonta Airport. The airplane was destroyed and all five occupants were killed.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Oneonta: 5 killed

Date & Time: Mar 21, 1984 at 1845 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N27886
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Newport News – Oneonta
MSN:
31-7952024
YOM:
1979
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
11699
Captain / Total hours on type:
509.00
Aircraft flight hours:
2065
Circumstances:
The aircraft crashed in a wooded area after the loss of engine power. The weather was VMC. The pilot made a missed approach after trying to land on runway at Oneonta, at 1838 hrs. Later the pilot radioed that he was unable to 'pick up' the Kring beacon. Boston center vectored the flight to the area of the Kring beacon. The pilot then proceeded to question his position. When boston terminated radar service the pilots answer was unintelligible. No further communications were received from the flight. The wreckage was found about 1/2 mile from the airport. The left full tank selector was found on the left outboard tank. This aircraft is restricted to level flight for use of fuel from the outboard tanks. All five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (total) - nonmechanical
Phase of operation: maneuvering
Findings
1. (f) fluid,fuel - starvation
2. (c) procedures/directives - not followed - pilot in command
3. (c) diverted attention - pilot in command
4. (c) fuel tank selector position - improper - pilot in command
5. (c) IFR procedure - not followed - pilot in command
6. (c) mental performance overload - pilot in command
7. (c) anxiety/apprehension - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: maneuvering
Findings
8. (c) ifr procedure - not corrected - pilot in command
9. (f) light condition - dark night
10. (f) terrain condition - high terrain
11. Object - tree(s)
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed 18-56 LodeStar in Oneonta: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 16, 1984 at 2330 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N77777
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
2373
YOM:
1943
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
13000
Circumstances:
At approximately 2330 est, witnesses near the crash site heard an aircraft, and shortly thereafter, they saw a flash. One of them, who was driving a car, went back to the area the next day and found the aircraft wreckage. The aircraft had crashed and burned about one mile from the approach end of runway 24. Wreckage was strewn along an area of about 250 feet long and was oriented on a heading of 230°. The aircraft was descending in an estimate 40° dive when it hit the ground. An exam of the wreckage did not disclose any evidence of a malfunction. About 3,500 lbs of marijuana was found in the wreckage. The 2010 weather at the airport was: indefinite 500 feet obscuration, visibility 1 1/4 mile with rain and light fog, temperature 33°, wind from 280° at 5 knots. Another pilot had landed at 2015. He said his aircraft had accumulated a trace of rime ice. At the time of the accident, witnesses said the roads were lightly covered with ice snow. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: in flight encounter with weather
Phase of operation: approach
Findings
1. (f) judgment - poor - pilot in command
2. Stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - performed - pilot in command
3. (f) flight into known adverse weather - performed - pilot in command
4. (f) light condition - night
5. (f) weather condition - low ceiling
6. (f) weather condition - fog
7. (f) weather condition - obscuration
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: approach
Findings
8. (c) aircraft handling - not maintained - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Final Report: