United States of America

The purpose of the training flight was to conduct part 135 checkrides for a pilot-in-command and a second-in-command upon completion of the crew's training. The checkride was being observed by an FAA inspector seated in the cabin. After completing an ILS approach to runway 02, the flight was cleared to circle to land on runway 15. The airplane was observed overflying runway 15 and lined up for runway 20. The tower advised the pilot that he was lined up for runway 20, and was given the option to land on either runway 15 or runway 20. The pilot opted for runway 15 and was cleared to a right downwind. The airplane impacted a hill at the 6,870-feet level near the crest, approximately 5 miles west of the airport. The published circling MDA for the ILS runway 02 approach is 6,860 feet. The airport is located about 9 miles from the city, and several local pilots reported a total lack of visual reference in that segment. All four occupants were killed.

The flight originated at 1235. The pilot performed two fly-by passes for the dedication of a nearby mall. The pilot radioed for clearance to land at the private airport which he owned. He was given clearance to land and told the wind was from the south at 20 knots. The pilot landed on runway 09. During landing roll, the airplane was seen to nose over. The cockpit, cabin, and left wing of the airplane were consumed by fire. The passenger escaped through the over-wing emergency exit on the right side of the cabin. He stated the pilot was lying near the rear door and would not respond to stimulus. The investigation revealed two skid marks in the grass which terminated at the airplane wreckage. The mark made by the right main landing gear was 750 feet long. The skid mark made by the left main landing gear was 560 feet long. The passenger was seriously injured and the pilot was killed.

The pilot reported that while in cruise flight looking at birds out the left side cockpit window he observed peripherally a 'white flash' fill the right side of the forward wind screen followed immediately by an audible 'thump'. The airplane began an uncontrollable descent and yaw to the right. The engine continued to run smoothly. Advancing the engine power controls had no noticeable effect on his ability to arrest the descent. The NTSB investigator in charge visited the accident site. No evidence was found of a bird strike. The accident site was surrounded by tall (white) birch trees. The pilot stated that he was not sure what he struck and that it could have been a tree.

The pilot of a twin-engine cargo airplane shut down the left engine and feathered the propeller due to a loss of engine oil. The FAA ARTCC handling the flight vectored the airplane toward a VOR. Due to the airplane's altitude and distance from the center's radar, the pilot of the airplane had to perform a full instrument approach procedure. The airplane maintained its enroute assigned altitude until passing the VOR outbound. Ntap readouts show the airplane descending throughout the procedure turn and inbound leg of the approach. The airplane's last radar contact was 300 feet below the inbound altitude for the approach while outside the final approach fix. The airplane collided with trees and terrain approximately 2 1/4 miles from the airport. The VOR is 5.5 miles from the airport. The on-scene investigation revealed the left engine's propeller had been feathered, its number nine cylinder mounting studs on the engine's case were crushed downward or were broken off at the case's surface, and the landing gear had been extended. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

The pilot reported that about 20 minutes into the flight, the left engine lost power. He turned the left firewall mounted electric boost pump on and selected left aux tank. The left engine regained power. He selected the right engine to right aux tank. After 20-30 seconds both engines quit. He was unable to restart either engine and landed the airplane in heavy brush at about 40 knots. The faa reported the pilot stated that he mismanaged the fuel, and waited too long to switch tanks.

Approximately 7 minutes after takeoff, the airplane collided with terrain approximately 3 miles from the departure airport. The accident site was 1,100 feet msl; the highest terrain in the area is 1,400 feet msl. The departure airport elevation is 643 feet msl. According to witnesses, the airplane disappeared into clouds at approximately 200 feet following takeoff, and that the hills to the southeast were obscured by clouds. The pilot had about 4 hours sleep the night before the accident flight. Both occupants were killed.

In climb, captain (pic) increased pitch, when flight attendant (f/a) entered cockpit and suggested faster climb, so she could begin cabin service. Autoflight was set in pitch and heading modes, contrary to company policy. Pic and f/a had non- pertinent conversation for 4.5 min, while 1st officer (f/o) was making log entries. Airplane stalled in IMC at 17,400 feet. Initial recovery was at 6,700 feet after f/o lower gear, then due to improper recovery, 2nd stall occurred and recovery was at 5,500 feet. Left propeller shed 3 blades, left engine cowling separated, left engine was shut down in descent. Level flight could not be maintained and forced landing was made at closed airport. Pic overshot final turn due to controllability problems and landed fast with 1,880 feet of wet runway remaining. Airplane hydroplaned off runway and was further damaged. Crew got limited sleep during 3 day trip, though rest periods available. Freezing level near 11,500 feet, clouds tops to 21,000 feet with potential for icing to 19,000 feet. No pre-accident malfunction was found.

Two foreign pilots took off VFR to remain in the vicinity of an airport on the outskirts of a metropolitan area. No record was found to show the airplane had been fueled either before or after the preceding flight. The flight crew contacted an area approach control and requested an ILS approach to test their ILS equipment without specifying an airport. Approach control issued and the flight crew accepted vectors to another airport for which the pilots had no approach plate or airport information. Vectors took the airplane about 25 miles from the departure airport. The flight crew requested to proceed back to the departure airport. A short time later, the flight crew declared an emergency due to low fuel, then radar contact was lost. Witnesses at a landfill heard an intermittent sound from the engine(s). The airplane came into their view with one engine running, then the engine sound ceased. They indicated the airplane went out of control and crashed, but one engine accelerated just before impact. A small fire was confined to the left wing. Both occupants were killed.

The flight was a part 135 six-month proficiency check for the pilot in the left seat. Both pilots were check airmen for the commuter air carrier. The flight took off at 2343 after cessation of company revenue operations. The cockpit voice recorder recorded conversation of both pilots discussing aerobatics. The pilot in the left seat started to describe the performance of a prohibited maneuver (apparently a barrel roll). The recording ended before description of the maneuver was completed. The airplane impacted in a nose level attitude with the left wing slightly down. There was evidence the maneuver was performed at an altitude insufficient to assure recovery of the airplane. A filled out grade sheet for the flight being flown was found in the check airman's mailbox. Both pilots were killed.

A student pilot in American AA-1A, N9317L, was on an approach to land on runway 05 of the uncontrolled airport, as a commercial pilot in Cessna 414A, N47WD, was on an approach to land on runway 14. The two runways intersected near their approach ends. The two aircraft collided as they were about to touch down at dusk over the intersection. Witnesses on the ground stated that they observed lights on the Cessna, but did not observe any lights on the American. Witnesses in other aircraft in the area stated that they heard the pilot of the american announcing his position in the traffic pattern and landing intentions, but did not hear the pilot of the Cessna on the Unicom frequency. The pilot of the Cessna stated that he announced his intention to land on runway 14 over Unicom frequency 123.0. The published Unicom frequency for the Statesboro Airport was 122.8.