Zone
Florida

Crash of a Piper PA-46-500TP Malibu Meridian in Saint Petersburg

Date & Time: Nov 25, 2017 at 1315 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class)
Operator:
BelleAire
Registration:
N863RB
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Saint Petersburg – Pensacola
MSN:
46-97213
YOM:
2005
Location:
Saint Petersburg-Clearwater
Florida
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
Captain / Total flying hours:
15000
Captain / Total hours on type:
25.00
Aircraft flight hours:
1341
Circumstances:
The pilot performed a preflight inspection of the turboprop airplane and an engine run-up with no anomalies noted. The takeoff roll and lift off from the runway were normal; however, when the pilot initiated a landing gear retraction, the engine torque decreased, but the rpm did not change. The torque then surged back to full power and continued to surge as the pilot attempted to return to the runway. The left wing of the airplane struck the ground, and the airplane came to rest in the grass on the side of the runway. Examination of the engine, engine accessories, and propeller revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation before the accident. The reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available
information.
Probable cause:
A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell T-39N Sabreliner off Pensacola: 4 killed

Date & Time: May 8, 2002 at 1630 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell T-39 Sabreliner
Operator:
Registration:
165525
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Pensacola - Pensacola
MSN:
282-100
YOM:
1972
Location:
Pensacola
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Two Rockwell T-39N Sabreliner operated by the US Navy registered 165522 and 165525 departed Pensacola-Forrest Sherman Field for a training mission. In unknown circumstances, while cruising over the Gulf of Mexico, about 60 km offshore, both aircraft collided and crashed in the sea. All seven crew members on board both aircraft were killed. Debris were found about 64 km offshore, distant 10 km from each other.

Crash of a Rockwell T-39N Sabreliner off Pensacola: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 8, 2002 at 1630 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell T-39 Sabreliner
Operator:
Registration:
165522
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Pensacola - Pensacola
MSN:
282-28
YOM:
1965
Location:
Pensacola
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Two Rockwell T-39N Sabreliner operated by the US Navy registered 165522 and 165525 departed Pensacola-Forrest Sherman Field for a training mission. In unknown circumstances, while cruising over the Gulf of Mexico, about 60 km offshore, both aircraft collided and crashed in the sea. All seven crew members on board both aircraft were killed. Debris were found about 64 km offshore, distant 10 km from each other.

Crash of a Beechcraft 200 Super King Air in Pensacola: 3 killed

Date & Time: Apr 10, 1989 at 1300 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 200 Super King Air
Operator:
Southern Company Services
Registration:
N30PC
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Pensacola - Atlanta
MSN:
BB-702
YOM:
1980
Location:
Pensacola
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
14200
Captain / Total hours on type:
3000.00
Aircraft flight hours:
6351
Circumstances:
The aircraft was routinely flown to Pensacola to pickup a gulf power executive for a flight to Atlanta. The pax had 4 bags, 2 placed in the aft baggage area by the ground crew, the other 2 carried onboard by the pax. After takeoff the CVR recorded the pax stating that there was a fire. The fire in the aft cabin area was confirmed by the 1st officer. An emergency was declared to the personnel ATCT. Subsequently, the aircraft was seen descending out of the overcast streaming dark smoke behind it. The aircraft impacted an apartment complex and a post crash fire destroyed it. No evidence of a lightning strike, aircraft system malfunction, or incendiary device was found during the investigation. Forensic chemical tests showed traces of hydrochloric and sulphuric acid on pax articles but none on the cabin interior. Metallurgical exam of broken fuel line showed overload failure and post heat distress. The interior of the cockpit windows were severely sooted. The flight crew did not don available oxygen masks.
Probable cause:
An in flight cabin fire of undetermined origin, and smoke (toxic condition) in the crew compartment, which resulted in physical impairment of the flight crew.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-9-31 in Pensacola

Date & Time: Dec 28, 1987 at 2339 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-9
Operator:
Registration:
N8948E
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Richmond – Atlanta – Pensacola
MSN:
47184/274
YOM:
1968
Flight number:
EA573
Location:
Pensacola
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
103
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
13246
Captain / Total hours on type:
4397.00
Aircraft flight hours:
55645
Circumstances:
Eastern flight 573 contacted approach control at 2323 cst, was advised to expect an ILS runway 16 approach and was vectored around weather. At 2330, the controller advised the ILS glide slope (g/s) had gone into 'alarm' but the loc appeared normal. At 2333, the wind shifted to 310° at 7 knots. Since the bc approach to runway 34 was notamed as inop, the crew continued to runway 16, using 50° of flaps. At 2334, they told the controller, 'if you don't get the g/s up, we'll do a... loc approach.' They reported receiving the g/s, but were advised the g/s was still in alarm. The aircraft broke out of clouds in rain at 900 feet; light turbulence was encountered on final approach. At about 1 mile out, the f/o noted the aircraft was high and advised the captain. The captain pushed the nose over and reduced power, increasing speed and rate of descent. Requested altitude callouts were not made. F/O advised captain to flare, but flare was inadequate. The aircraft touched down hard and the fuselage failed between stations 813 and 756. Aircraft was stopped with the tail resting on the runway. Four passengers received minor injuries during evacuation. Weather study showed a moderate to strong (vip level 2 to 3) weather echo over the approach end of runway 16.
Probable cause:
The captain's failure to maintain a proper descent rate on final approach or to execute a missed approach, which caused the airplane to contact the runway with a sink rate exceeding the airplane's design limitations. Contributing to the cause of the accident was the failure of the captain and first officer to make required altitude callouts and to properly monitor the flight instruments during the approach.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I in Atmore: 8 killed

Date & Time: Jun 21, 1983 at 2331 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I
Operator:
Odom Flying Service
Registration:
N2960Q
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Pensacola - Saint Louis
MSN:
421A-0060
YOM:
1968
Location:
Atmore
Alabama
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Captain / Total flying hours:
4150
Captain / Total hours on type:
100.00
Aircraft flight hours:
877
Circumstances:
About 20 minutes after takeoff the pilot reported the right engine had lost power and the aircraft would not maintain altitude. Vectors were provided for an emergency landing, but the aircraft crashed in a wooded area about 3 miles from the airport. There was evidence that the gear and flaps had been extended and the aircraft had entered a turn before impacting. Both props had evidence of low to moderate power and neither was feathered. An exam revealed unsymmetrical wear on the blades of the right turbocharger; its thrust spacer, pn 406990-9004, was worn and there was evidence of oil leakage. The 13 qt, right engine oil system had only 6.85 qts of oil remaining. Both turbochargers had been installed during an annual inspection in april 1983 and previously had been overhauled. The aircraft was estimated to be 844 lbs over its max weight limit and the aircraft cg limit was exceeded by about 4.8 inches. Six of the passengers were not restrained by seat belts. An associate estimated that the pilot had only 4 to 6 hours of rest in the previous 3 to 4 days. All eight occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf
Phase of operation: climb - to cruise
Findings
1. (f) exhaust system,turbocharger - worn
2. (f) maintenance - improper - other maintenance personnel
3. (f) fluid,oil - leak
4. (f) exhaust system,turbocharger - failure,partial
5. Propeller feathering - not performed - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
Findings
6. (f) preflight planning/preparation - improper - pilot in command
7. (f) aircraft weight and balance - exceeded - pilot in command
8. Passenger briefing - inadequate - pilot in command
9. Seat belt - not used - passenger
----------
Occurrence #3: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: approach
Findings
10. (f) light condition - dark night
11. (c) in-flight planning/decision - improper - pilot in command
12. (f) fatigue - pilot in command
13. (c) emergency procedure - improper - pilot in command
14. (f) lack of familiarity with aircraft - pilot in command
15. (c) gear extension - premature - pilot in command
16. (f) lowering of flaps - premature - pilot in command
17. (c) airspeed (vmc) - not maintained - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #4: in flight collision with object
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Findings
18. (f) object - tree(s)
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft UC-12B Huron in Pensacola: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 2, 1982 at 1325 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-12 Huron
Operator:
Registration:
161189
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
City
Schedule:
Norfolk - Pensacola
MSN:
BJ-5
YOM:
1980
Location:
Pensacola
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The crew departed Norfolk-Chambers Field NAS on a flight to Pensacola-Forrest Sherman Field NAS, Florida. While descending to Pensacola, weather conditions worsened and the crew decided to divert to Pensacola-Intl Airport. On approach in limited visibility due to rain falls, the twin engine airplane struck tree tops and crashed in a residential area located north of the airport. A pilot was killed while seven other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 520 in Biloxi

Date & Time: Oct 16, 1981 at 1400 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 520
Operator:
Charles R. Killian
Registration:
N2605B
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Pensacola - Baton Rouge
MSN:
520-117
YOM:
1953
Location:
Biloxi
Mississippi
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
Captain / Total flying hours:
1496
Captain / Total hours on type:
507.00
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was completing a ferry flight from Pensacola to Baton Rouge. While in cruising altitude, he contacted ATC and reported an engine fire. Cleared to descend, he attempted an emergency landing in a field but on touchdown, the airplane crash landed as the landing gear were not fully extended. The pilot was seriously injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Wheels-up landing and fire on ground due to inadequate maintenance and inspection. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Powerplant - fuel systems: tanks improperly installed,
- Leak/leakage, fire in wing,
- Suspected mechanical discrepancy,
- Fumes in cabin,
- Fuel leak during first flight after fuel cell repair,
- Engine shutdown, fire after touchdown.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680W near Alexandria

Date & Time: Oct 4, 1979 at 1915 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
John Cary
Registration:
N713SP
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Pensacola - Fort Worth
MSN:
680-1805-27
YOM:
1968
Location:
Alexandria
Louisiana
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1841
Captain / Total hours on type:
31.00
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude on a flight from Pensacola to Fort Worth, the pilot contacted ATC and declared an emergency due to fire in the cabin and smoke in the cockpit. He was cleared to initiate a rapid descent and eventually decided to attempt an emergency landing in an open field. The airplane landed safely in a pasture and burned immediately afterwards. All three occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
In-flight fire or explosion for undetermined reasons. The following findings were reported:
- Smoke in cockpit,
- Fire in cabin, cockpit and baggage compartment,
- Overload failure,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Smoke in cockpit.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing 727-235 off Pensacola: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 8, 1978 at 2120 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing 727-200
Operator:
Registration:
N4744
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Miami - Melbourne - Tampa - New Orleans - Mobile - Pensacola
MSN:
19464
YOM:
1968
Flight number:
NA193
Location:
Pensacola
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
52
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
18109
Captain / Total hours on type:
5358.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4848
Copilot / Total hours on type:
842
Aircraft flight hours:
26720
Circumstances:
Flight 193 operated as a scheduled passenger from Miami to Pensacola, FL, with en route stops at Melbourne and Tampa, New Orleans, Louisiana, and Mobile. About 21:02 CDT the flight departed Mobile on an IFR flight plan to Pensacola and climbed to the cruising altitude of 7,000 feet. At 21:09, the crew were told that they would be vectored for an airport surveillance radar (ASR) approach to runway 25. At 21:13, the radar controller told National 193 that it was 11 nm NW of the airport and cleared it to descend and maintain 1,700 feet. At 21:17 flaps were selected at 15° and two minutes later the flight was cleared to descend to 1,500 feet and shortly after that further down to the MDA (480 feet). As the aircraft rolled out on the final approach heading, the captain called for the landing gear and the landing final checklist. At 21:20:15, the ground proximity warning system (GPWS) whooper warning continued for nine seconds until the first officer silenced the warning. Nine seconds later the 727 hit the water with gear down and flaps at 25°. It came to rest in about 12 feet of water. The weather at the time of the accident was 400 feet overcast, 4 miles visibility in fog and haze, wind 190°/7 kts. Three passengers were killed while 55 other occupants were rescued, among them 11 were injured.
Probable cause:
The flight crew's unprofessionally conducted non precision instrument approach, in that the captain and the crew failed to monitor the descent rate and altitude, and the first officer failed to provide the captain with required altitude and approach performance callouts. The captain and first officer did not check or utilize all instruments available for altitude awareness and, therefore, did not configure the aircraft properly and in a timely manner for the approach. The captain failed to comply with the company's GPWS flightcrew response procedures in a timely manner after the warning began. The flight engineer turned off the GPWS warning 9 seconds after it began without the captain' s knowledge or consent. Contributing to the accident was the radar controller's failure to provide advance notice of the start-descent point which accelerated the pace of the crew's cockpit activities after the passage of the final approach fix.
Final Report:
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