United States of America

The non-certificated foreign military pilot (first pilot) and a U.S. Certificated airline transport pilot (second pilot) planned to ferry an airplane to Australia with an intermediate stop in Hawaii. Auxiliary fuel and engine oil tanks were installed in the airplane. The airplane had been authorized a special airworthiness certificate for over gross weight operations for the ferry flight. The first pilot had accrued 50 hours and the second pilot accrued 25 hours in the accident airplane prior to the overweight departure. During the takeoff, the airplane became airborne at 100 knots of airspeed. The airplane pitched up and began to dutch roll. At about 50 feet above the ground, the airplane stalled and descended to the runway. A fire erupted in the cabin area.

The flight had been cleared for the VOR-A approach, with instructions to circle to a right downwind and land on runway 14. The tower controller observed the airplane emerge from the overcast over runway 23 abeam the VOR, then make a tight right turn onto the downwind leg, parallel to runway 14 and close in. When the airplane was abeam the runway 14 threshold, she observed the nose pitch up, and the airplane did what she described as a wing over. It then dove and impacted the runway near the threshold. The controller stated that the pilot made this round trip every day, and she had seen him do this maneuver on several occasions. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

The flight took off at 0500 hours in dark visual meteorological conditions. Radar data indicates that the flight was heading in an easterly direction, towards its destination and had climbed to and leveled off at 12,500 feet. Three minutes prior to the last identified radar target, the pilot obtained a partial weather briefing, for the destination airports, from the flight service station. The wreckage was located in an area of high mountainous terrain. Evidence indicated that the flight collided with a ridge line at the 12,400 foot level. The main wreckage was located on the east side of the ridge at 11,400 feet. During the post crash investigation, there was no evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction. Both occupants were killed.

The pilot was cleared for an instrument approach to the airport. Once clear of clouds, the pilot was observed circling at low altitude on a closed left downwind for runway 30. Witnesses observed that on the turn from base to final, a very steep angle of bank was established as the engine power was heard being increased. Control was lost and the airplane impacted the ground inverted in a nose low attitude. A post impact fire consumed the airplane. The weather at the airport was reported as 900 overcast with 2 miles visibility in fog and haze with a light mist. Official sunset was one minute prior to the impact. Both occupants were killed.

The instrument rated pilot was en route to pick up cargo. He received three preflight weather briefings earlier that indicated snow, mountain obscuration, and low visibility. He reported, 'seeing the lights of university,' and requested a contact approach. He also said that if he could not get in, he would make an ils approach. When the airplane was 4 miles south of the airport, the New York air traffic controller cleared the pilot for a contact approach to runway 24. A witness reported hearing a low flying airplane. He stated that it was snowing heavily and he saw the tail light of an airplane briefly through the snow. He also reported that a snow squall was in the area at the time. Shortly afterward, he heard what was later determined to be the sound of the collision. Search personnel located the wreckage 3.3 miles south of the airport on top of mount nittany which was about 2000 feet high. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

The pilot stated that when the flight was on final approach, 'the aircraft suddenly stopped flying and contacted the snow...came to a stop about 500 feet down the runway on the centerline. All 3 gears were folded back.' The airplane had been washed the night before and then rolled outside into -5° temperature. Ice was found in the airplane static system.

The airplane was removed from a hangar about one hour before departure. During the interim period, the ambient temperature was about 32° F and it was snowing lightly. No deicing fluid was used on the airplane. The pilot reported observing only water on the plane's wings. The passenger (a rated pilot) reported to an alaska state trooper that the airplane had accumulated a little ice before the flight departed. The airplane became airborne about 1,000 feet from the end of the 5,576 feet long runway. Shortly after rotation, the airplane began to buffet and would not climb. The airplane impacted in a near horizontal attitude on level snow covered tundra. The pilot reported that immediately after exiting the airplane, he observed a coarse layer of ice on the aft two thirds of the wings. During the test run of both engines, no problems were noted that would have caused and/or contributed toward the inability of the airplane to sustain flight.

The pilot tried to activate the radio-controlled runway boundary lights about 10 miles away, and also while he was in the traffic pattern, but he was unsuccessful. He continued his descent to approximately 500 feet above the ground using the vasi (visual approach slope indicator) lights. The pilot stated that he had the airport in sight and' felt well enough in sight to complete landing.' The airplane touched down in approximately 18 inches of snow 60 feet off the right side of the runway. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction. He said as he got closer to the ground he realized it was snow-mobile tracks and not the runway. He tried to go-around but the airplane impacted the ground collapsing the nose gear.

The aerial photo flight was commencing with the pilot and operator on board. A witness reported that the engines sounded good on the ground and during the t/o ground roll. At about 30 to 40 feet agl, he heard 'surging' sounds from the airplane. He then observed the aircraft in a shallow right hand turn as it approached departure end trees. He then saw the aircraft roll off to the left, into the trees in a steep, nose low, left wing low attitude. The aircraft crashed into trees and terrain and was destroyed by impact forces and fire. Investigation revealed that the aircraft impacted the ground in a left wing low attitude. The main wreckage was found inverted. An inspection of the engines did not reveal evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction. Exam of both turbochargers revealed evidence of rotation at impact. Exam of both propellers revealed evidence of blade tip twisting toward low pitch and some forward bending. Both occupants were killed.

During a missed approach the airplane lost power to both engines. The pilot selected the only area available to land. The terrain was marked by trees, fences, and rising terrain. Prior to the missed approach the airplane had landed at another airport in the same town. The purpose of the flight was to ferry the airplane to a facility to repair a fuel leak in the wing.