Pontiac

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Greenwood - Pontiac

MSN:

BA-139

YOM:

1956

Location:

Greenwood

South Carolina

Country:

Region:

Landing (descent or approach)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4000

Captain / Total hours on type:

900.00

Aircraft flight hours:

10323

Circumstances:

The right engine lost power during the initial climb after lift-off. A witness heard a noise and observed flames coming from the right engine cowling as the airplane climbed. The airplane entered a turn after climbing about 200 feet, descended through a small grove of trees, crashed in a pasture, and burned. During takeoff, the plane's gross weight was about 11,050 lbs and the cg was behind the aft limit. Its maximum certified weight limit was 9,700 lbs. The pilot was aware of a gross weight problem before takeoff. An exam revealed evidence that the left engine propeller was in the feathered position and the right propeller was not feathered at impact. A check of the right engine disclosed that the n°3 cylinder intake valve had failed from fatigue. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

The pilot's improper emergency procedure by shutting down the wrong engine, which resulted in a forced landing. Factors related to the accident were: failure of the number three intake valve in the right engine due to fatigue, and trees in the emergency landing area.

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Pontiac: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 11, 1984 at 1932 LT

Type of aircraft:

Piper PA-31-310 Navajo

Operator:

Richards Aviation

Registration:

N9011Y

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Ferry

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Bolivar - Pontiac

MSN:

31-16

YOM:

1967

Location:

Pontiac

Michigan

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2247

Aircraft flight hours:

3979

Circumstances:

The aircraft departed the airport with one dry air pump inoperative and the other pump reading low. Aircraft control was lost during an instrument approach in IMC approximately 2.5 hours later. Both pump driveshafts were found sheared in the wreckage and both broken shaft surfaces showed polished surfaces. During further testing it was discovered that tape or pipe dope had been used in the threading of the intake and outflow fittings of the left pump. No contaminants were found in the right pump but the pump wall inner surfaces gap was approximately .005 inch. This gap is approx 50% over the allowable tolerance for a serviceable air pump. The pressure regulator valve to the attitude indicator gyro and the compass gyro were examined and found to require pressure exceeding normal requirement standards. Both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: airframe/component/system failure/malfunction
Phase of operation: unknown
Findings
1. (f) pneumatic system - no pressure
2. (c) operation with known deficiencies in equipment - improper - pilot in command
3. (c) improper use of equipment/aircraft - pilot in command
4. (f) flight/nav instruments, attitude gyro - disabled
5. (c) judgment - improper - pilot in command
6. (f) psychological condition - pilot in command
7. (f) flight/nav instruments, attitude indicator - false indication
8. (c) maintenance, installation - improper - company maintenance personnel
9. (f) pressure - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
Findings
10. Flight/nav instruments,attitude indicator - false indication
11. (c) emergency procedure - not followed - pilot in command
12. (c) improper use of procedure - pilot in command
13. (f) qualification - pilot in command
14. (f) lack of experience - pilot in command
15. (f) lack of recent experience - pilot in command
16. (f) lack of recent experience in type operation - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 401 in Muskegon: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jun 30, 1981 at 1811 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 401

Operator:

G & W Aviation

Registration:

N7957F

Flight Phase:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Muskegon - Pontiac

MSN:

401-0219

YOM:

1969

Location:

Muskegon

Michigan

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

10202

Captain / Total hours on type:

1650.00

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Muskegon-County Airport, while in initial climb, the twin engine airplane lost height and crashed thru the extended centerline of the nearest runway. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all five occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Powerplant failure during initial climb for unknown reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot failed to follow approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S near Burton: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 9, 1979 at 0005 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft E18

Operator:

Wyman Pilot Services

Registration:

N438A

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

City

Schedule:

Youngstown - Pontiac

MSN:

BA-452

YOM:

1959

Location:

Burton

Ohio

Country:

Region:

Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

8600

Captain / Total hours on type:

5000.00

Circumstances:

The pilot, on a cargo flight from Youngstown to Pontiac, decided to make a low pass over his mother's house. By night, the airplane struck tree tops and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed. He was the leader of a formation of three aircraft when the accident occurred.

Probable cause:

Collision with trees after the pilot misjudged clearance. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Exercised poor judgment,
- Unwarranted low flying,
- Inadequate supervision of flight crew.

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Granville: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 18, 1978 at 1042 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Palmer Air Charter

Registration:

N63731

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Westfield - Pontiac

MSN:

31-7752054

YOM:

1977

Location:

Granville

Massachusetts

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

6500

Circumstances:

While cruising in marginal weather conditions on a cargo flight from Westfield-Barnes to Pontiac, the twin engine airplane struck the slope of a mountain located in Granville, Massachusetts. The burnt wreckage was found 500 feet below the summit and both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain after the pilot continued VFR flight in adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Unwarranted low flying,
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Fog.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft G18S in Rockingham

Date & Time: Mar 2, 1978 at 2020 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft G18S

Operator:

Wyman Pilot Services

Registration:

N180P

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Rockingham - Pontiac

MSN:

BA-478

YOM:

1959

Location:

Rockingham-Hamlet

North Carolina

Country:

Region:

Landing (descent or approach)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

6500

Captain / Total hours on type:

2825.00

Circumstances:

Shortly after a night takeoff from Rockingham-Hamlet Airport, the twin engine airplane struck wires and crashed in flames in a snow covered field. The pilot, sole on board, was seriously injured.

Probable cause:

Collision with wires during initial climb due to inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot-in-command. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to abort takeoff,
- Selected unsuitable terrain,
- Disregard of good operating practice,
- Airport conditions: snow on runway,
- Launched from snow covered runway with half inch of snow on wings.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Sabreliner 75A in Palwaukee

Date & Time: Apr 27, 1977 at 1336 LT

Type of aircraft:

Rockwell Sabreliner 75

Operator:

Registration:

N6NR

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Ferry

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Chicago-Executive (Palwaukee)

Schedule:

Pontiac - Palwaukee

MSN:

380-43

YOM:

1975

Location:

Illinois

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

8540

Captain / Total hours on type:

3050.00

Circumstances:

For unknown reasons, the crew selected the wrong runway to land at Wheeling-Palwaukee Airport (Chicago-Executive) taking into consideration the wind component. After touchdown, the captain elected to use all available brake systems when the copilot stowed reversers. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran, went through a fence and a road and eventually crashed in a warehouse. Both pilots as well as three people on the ground were injured. The aircraft was destroyed as well as two cars.

Probable cause:

Overshoot on landing after the crew misjudged distance and speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper operation of powerplant and powerplant controls,
- Spontaneous improper action on part of the copilot,
- Poor crew coordination,
- Selected wrong runway relative to existing wind,
- Powerplant - thrust reverser,
- Material failure,
- Asymmetrical thrust reversal,
- Right engine flex shafts failed.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 411A in Wise: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jan 12, 1975 at 1950 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 411

Operator:

Paul B. Jatkoe

Registration:

N100KC

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Savannah - Pontiac

MSN:

411A-0296

YOM:

1969

Location:

Wise

Virginia

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

786

Captain / Total hours on type:

30.00

Circumstances:

While in cruising altitude over Virginia by night, the crew encountered icing conditions and requested a higher altitude but this was denied. Few minutes later, the twin engine airplane entered a dive and crashed in a near vertical attitude in a field located in Wise. The aircraft was totally destroyed upon impact and all seven occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Loss of control following in-flight icing. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain,
- Airframe ice,
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Unable to climb to safe altitude,
- ATC failed to seek specific info regarding deterioration of pilot and aircraft abilities.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Hillsboro

Date & Time: Jul 9, 1974 at 2056 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft D18

Operator:

Wyman Pilot Services

Registration:

N193CP

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Hillsboro-Highland County

Schedule:

Hillsboro - Pontiac

MSN:

A-830

YOM:

1952

Location:

Ohio

Country:

Region: