Wilmington-New Castle County

According to a witness, prior to arriving in the run-up area the pilot lowered the airplane's flaps. After the right flap fully extended, the flap key on the drive shaft inside the 90-degree drive assembly adapter fractured, in overload, in the direction of flap extension. Before takeoff, the pilot raised the flaps; however, with the fractured key, the right flap would have remained fully extended. The pilot could have identified this condition prior to takeoff, either visually or by means of the flap indicator, which received its input from the right flap actuator. The pilot subsequently took off, and the airplane turned left, but it is unknown at what point the pilot would have noted a control problem. The pilot climbed the airplane to 250 to 300 feet and allowed the airspeed to bleed off to where the airplane stalled and subsequently spun into the ground. Airplane manufacturer calculations revealed that the pilot should have been able to maintain control of the airplane at airspeeds over 70 knots. According to the pilot's operating handbook, the best two-engine angle of climb airspeed was 99 knots and the best two-engine rate of climb airspeed was 120 knots.

Witnesses observed the airplane on a 'normal' final approach, then saw it drop 'low and slow, retract the gear and roll to the left into the trees.' Examination of the engines revealed that the left engine failed because of a fatigue failure of a compressor turbine blade. Examination of the right engine revealed no evidence of malfunction that would have prevented the use of full power. The aircrew was experienced and well trained. The radar data confirmed a drop in airspeed just before the airplane contacted the trees. All four occupants were killed.

The crew was completing a local training mission. On final approach, the left engine caught fire. The pilot-in-command continued the approach when, on touchdown, the left main gear collapsed. The airplane slid for several yards and came to rest. All three crew members were uninjured while the airplane was considered as damaged beyond repair.

At 1210 the flight called the Wilmington-New Castle Tower and asked to be cleared for an instrument approach to runway one. The flight advised that they would fly law over the field on their first approach, and that they would then circle and land The approach was made, and the aircraft flew low over the field to the immediate right of runway one. After passing the north end of the runway. a climbing left turn was made to an altitude of 400 to 500 feet. The aircraft circled at that altitude until approximately one mile west of the south end of runway one, then it started a gliding left turn, toward the field. One-half mile south of the airport the turn was completed, and the aircraft flew a straight course on final approach toward runway one for landing. This last turn onto final approach was completed at an altitude of 200 to 300 feet. The landing gear was down, but the flaps were not extended. The descent on final approach continued normally until the aircraft had reached an altitude of approximately 50 feet above the ground, at which time it was 500 to 1,000 feet from the approach end of runway one. Then, the aircraft was observed to assume a nose-high attitude and to descend more rapidly. First contact with the ground was made 130 feet Prom the approach end of runway one, and 22 feet in front of a 5-foot embankment. The top of this embankment was level with the runway. Since the embankment was uniformly covered with sod, it was not discernible from the air. The extreme loads which were imposed upon the aircraft structure as it rolled into and over the rising embankment immediately after it had settled to the ground caused considerable damage to the landing gear, fuselage, and wings. Forced back into the air by the rise of the embankment, the airplane landed for the second time on the runway, skidding forward 1,270 feet. The right wing was torn from the fuselage as the aircraft turned over to an inverted position. Fuel spilled from ruptured gasoline tanks ignited, and the wreckage burst into flames.

The crew was performing a positioning flight to Wilmington-New Castle Airport to pick up passengers. On approach, the crew was informed by ATC that weather conditions were poor and that it should be better to divert to Philadelphia. The pilot attempted to land on runway 14 but after touchdown, he realized his mistake and elected to go around. It was too late, the aircraft overran, went through the perimeter fence, crossed a road where it hit two cars and continued for about 650 feet before coming to rest in flames. While all eight crew members escaped unhurt, the aircraft was destroyed.

The crew departed Wilmington-New Castle Airfield at 0322LT for a local training and transition flight. After several approaches and maneuvers in the region, the crew was completing a new approach when the aircraft flew over the runway and crashed in flames. All four crew members were killed.
Crew:
T/Sgt Howard J. Driver,
Cpt Edgar L. Kinsey,
Cpt Daniel E. McCafferty,
Cpt Thomas R. Monroe.