Zone
Crash of a Cessna 402C off Palm Beach: 1 killed
Date & Time:
May 27, 1987
Operator:
Registration:
N2652B
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Palm Beach - Marsh Harbour
MSN:
402C-0345
YOM:
1980
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total hours on type:
165.00
Aircraft flight hours:
9151
Circumstances:
On 5/27/87 at about 0915 edt, the pilot departed Palm Beach-Intl Airport (PBI) on a flight to Marsh Harbour, Great Abaco Island, Bahamas. When the aircraft did not arrive at the destination, a search was initiated. The aircraft was not found and was presumed to have been destroyed. The pilot was presumed to have been fatally injured. Radar data revealed that the aircraft had departed toward Marsh Harbour, but the last contact with the flight was approximately 12 miles east of PBI. An aircraft was seen flying eastbound over the destination airport at about the time of the estimated arrival time. Also, another pilot thought she heard a radio transmission from the missing aircraft when the pilot reported in the vicinity of Grand Bahama Island.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: missing aircraft
Phase of operation: unknown
Findings
1. (c) reason for occurrence undetermined
Phase of operation: unknown
Findings
1. (c) reason for occurrence undetermined
Final Report:
Crash of a Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600) in Dickson: 2 killed
Date & Time:
May 29, 1986 at 0350 LT
Registration:
N260A
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Dickson – Palm Beach
MSN:
60-0496-161
YOM:
1978
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total hours on type:
6.00
Aircraft flight hours:
1602
Circumstances:
The aircraft contacted electrical wires and trees shortly after takeoff. The aircraft then descended to impact with the terrain. Examination of the wreckage revealed the elevator trim actuator rod was extended 2.5 inches which correlates with a full nose down setting. Further examination showed the buss wire for the actuator retract switch was disconnected at the retract switch post. Splattered copper was found on the retract switch indicating the buss wire had been subjected to high amperage. The limitations section of the pilot operating handbook for this aircraft does not state that takeoff is prohibited with inoperative pitch trim. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
1. Weather condition - obscuration
2. Weather condition - fog
3. Light condition - night
4. (c) flt control syst, elevator trim/tab control - failure, total
5. (c) electrical system, electric wiring - disconnected
6. (c) electrical system, electric wiring - overtemperature
7. (c) trim setting - not performed - pilot in command
8. (f) improper transition/upgrade training - pilot in command
9. (c) climb - not attained - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with object
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
10. Object - tree(s)
11. Object - wire, transmission
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
1. Weather condition - obscuration
2. Weather condition - fog
3. Light condition - night
4. (c) flt control syst, elevator trim/tab control - failure, total
5. (c) electrical system, electric wiring - disconnected
6. (c) electrical system, electric wiring - overtemperature
7. (c) trim setting - not performed - pilot in command
8. (f) improper transition/upgrade training - pilot in command
9. (c) climb - not attained - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with object
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
10. Object - tree(s)
11. Object - wire, transmission
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Final Report:
Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680 off Palm Beach
Date & Time:
Feb 9, 1975 at 1020 LT
Registration:
N680LP
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Winter Haven - Marsh Harbour
MSN:
680-323-17
YOM:
1956
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total hours on type:
457.00
Circumstances:
En route from Winter Haven to Marsh Harbour, Bahamas, the pilot informed ATC that the left engine caught fire. He reduced his altitude and ditched the airplane few miles off Palm Beach. The airplane sank and was lost while the pilot, sole on board, was rescued. The wreckage was not recovered.
Probable cause:
Engine failure or malfunction during normal cruise for undetermined reasons. The following findings were reported:
- Fire in engine,
- Aircraft ditched due to engine fire following failure of left engine,
- Wreckage not found.
- Fire in engine,
- Aircraft ditched due to engine fire following failure of left engine,
- Wreckage not found.
Final Report:
Crash of a Douglas C-124C Globemaster II in Palm Beach: 3 killed
Date & Time:
Aug 21, 1956
Operator:
Registration:
52-1005
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Palm Beach - Palm Beach
MSN:
43914
YOM:
1952
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was completing touch-and-goes at Palm Beach Airport. After takeoff, while climbing, a technical issue occurred on the engine number two that lost a propeller blade which penetrated the fuselage, cutting several control cables. Engines number three and four stopped immediately, causing the aircraft to bank right and to crash in a tree nursery. Three crew members were killed while three others were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Loss of a propeller blade on engine number two.
