Crash of a Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600) in South Haven: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 2, 2022
Registration:
N9784Q
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
South Haven - South Haven
MSN:
60-0416-143
YOM:
1977
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was engaged in a local training flight at South Haven Airport, carrying two pilots. After takeoff from runway 05, while climbing, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in a wooded area located a mile north of the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver I in Anchorage

Date & Time: Jul 26, 2022 at 0915 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N9776R
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Anchorage - King Salmon
MSN:
1126
YOM:
1957
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1709
Captain / Total hours on type:
142.00
Aircraft flight hours:
16072
Circumstances:
The pilot reported that, he was departing in the float-equipped airplane in strong gusty wind conditions. After accelerating on the water for about 3 seconds, the airplane suddenly became airborne and crabbed into the wind about 60° to 90° from the intended takeoff path and started to climb as it continued to track away from the intended flight path. As the climb continued, the airplane stalled and impacted the water in a nose low attitude which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable cause:
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusting wind conditions which resulted in the wing exceeding its critical angle of attack, a loss of control and impact with the water.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage in North Las Vegas: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 17, 2022 at 1202 LT
Registration:
N97CX
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Cœur d’Alene – North Las Vegas
MSN:
46-36128
YOM:
1997
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane was on final approach to North Las Vegas Airport when it collided with a Cessna 172 Skyhawk owned by Binner Enterprises. Registered N160RA, the Skyhawk was carrying two pilots who were completing touch and go manoeuvres. Following the collision, both aircraft dove into the ground and crashed on the airport perimeter. Both aircraft were destroyed and all four occupants were killed.

Crash of a McDonnell Douglas MD-82 in Miami

Date & Time: Jun 21, 2022 at 1738 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HI1064
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Santo Domingo - Miami
MSN:
53027/1805
YOM:
1990
Flight number:
L5203
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
119
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Santo Domingo-Las Américas Airport, the crew was cleared to land on runway 09 at Miami-Intl Airport. According to a video, it is believed that both main landing gear were not properly extended upon touchdown. The airplane rolled for few hundred metres then deviated to the left and departed the runway to the left. It collided with obstacles, lost its undercarriage and came to rest in a grassy area, bursting into flames. Fire was quickly extinguished. All 126 occupants evacuated safely, among them three passengers were taken to Jackson Hospital.

Crash of a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan in Oceanside: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 3, 2022 at 1346 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N7581F
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Oceanside - Oceanside
MSN:
208B-0389
YOM:
1994
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The single engine was completing local skydiving flights out from Oceanside Airport. On final approach to runway 25, the airplane apparently stalled and crashed against an embankment located about 400 metres short of runway. The pilot was seriously injured and the jumpmaster was killed.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-3 Otter in Dry Bay

Date & Time: May 24, 2022 at 1510 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N703TH
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Yakutat – Dry Bay
MSN:
456
YOM:
1965
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
24000
Captain / Total hours on type:
6100.00
Circumstances:
The purpose of the flight was to transport three passengers and cargo. The pilot reported that, during takeoff, the airplane’s tail came up slightly lowered to the runway when he attempted to raise the tail by applying forward elevator. He stated that he thought this was unusual and attributed it to an aft-loaded airplane. He applied additional nose-down trim and departed without incident. While en route, the tail of the airplane seemed to move up and down, which the pilot attributed to turbulence. Upon arrival at his destination, the pilot entered a left downwind, reduced the power and extended the flaps to 10° abeam the end of the runway. He turned onto the base leg about ½ mile from the approach end of the runway and slowed the airplane to 80 mph. Turning final, he noticed the airplane seemed to pitch up, so he applied full nose-down pitch trim and extended the flaps an additional 10°. On short final he applied full flaps, and the airplane abruptly pitched up to about a 45° angle. He stated that he applied full nose-down elevator, verified the pitch trim, and reduced the power to idle. When the airplane was about 300 ft above ground level, the airplane stalled, the left wing dropped slightly, and the airplane entered about a 45° nose-down dive. After allowing the airplane to gain airspeed, the pilot applied full back elevator. The airplane impacted forested terrain near the approach end of runway 23 at an elevation of about 18 ft. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Elevator and rudder control continuity was confirmed from the cockpit to the respective control surfaces. The airplane's estimated gross weight at the time of the accident was about 7,796 lbs and the airplane's estimated center of gravity was about 3.2 to 5.6 inches beyond the approved aft limit. Maximum gross weight for the airplane is 8,000 lbs.
Probable cause:
The pilot’s failure to determine the actual weight and balance of the airplane before departure, which resulted in the airplane being operated outside of the aft center of gravity limits and the subsequent aerodynamic stall on final approach. Contributing to the accident was the Federal Aviation Administration's failure to require weight and balance documentation for 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 single-engine operations.
Final Report:

Crash of a Comp Air CA-8 in Grasmere: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 8, 2022 at 1405 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N801DT
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Boulder City – Boise
MSN:
027078SS52T03
YOM:
2007
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane departed Boulder City, NV, on a flight to Boise. En route, it crashed in unknown circumstances in an uninhabited area located near Grasmere, ID. Both occupants were killed.

Crash of a Cessna 421C Golden Eagle III in Houston

Date & Time: May 6, 2022 at 1418 LT
Operator:
Registration:
XB-FQS
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Houston – San Antonio
MSN:
421C-0085
YOM:
1976
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
4025
Captain / Total hours on type:
951.00
Aircraft flight hours:
5197
Circumstances:
The pilot reported that, before the flight, the airplane was fueled with 140 gallons of Jet A fuel. Shortly after takeoff, both engines lost total power. Because the airplane had insufficient altitude to return to the airport, the pilot executed a forced landing to a field and the left wing sustained substantial damage. A postcrash fire ensued. The investigation determined that the airplane was inadvertently fueled with Jet A fuel rather than AVGAS, which was required for the airplane’s reciprocating engines. The line service worker who fueled the airplane reported that there were no decals at the airplane fuel ports; however, postaccident examination of the airplane found that a decal specifying AVGAS was present at the right-wing fuel port. The investigation could not determine whether the same or a similar decal was present at the left-wing fuel port because the left wing was partially consumed during the postimpact fire.
Probable cause:
The fixed-base operator’s incorrect fueling of the airplane, which resulted in a total loss of power in both engines.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 340 in Covington: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 21, 2022 at 1905 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N84GR
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
340-0178
YOM:
1973
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Covington Airport Runway 10, while in initial climb, the twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed on the General Mills Plant located about 1,5 km southeast of the airfield, bursting into flames. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed. There were no casualties on the ground.

Crash of a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan in Burley: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 13, 2022 at 0832 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N928JP
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Salt Lake City – Burley
MSN:
208B-2428
YOM:
2013
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane departed Salt Lake City Airport at 0700LT on a cargo flight to Burley, Idaho. On approach to Burley Airport Runway 20, the pilot encountered poor visibility due to snow falls and decided to initiate a go-around procedure. Few minutes later, while on a second attempt to land, the aircraft crashed on the roof of a building located 700 metres short of runway 20. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.