Crash of a Socata TBM-700 in South Lake Tahoe

Date & Time: Aug 22, 1992 at 1303 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N339W
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Monterey - South Lake Tahoe
MSN:
39
YOM:
1992
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
845
Captain / Total hours on type:
50.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
246
Aircraft flight hours:
94
Circumstances:
According to the aircraft occupants, the aircraft owner, who holds a commercial pilot and cfi certificates, was occupying the right front seat. A friend of the pilot, a 246 hour private pilot with no experience in high performance turbine powered aircraft, was in the left seat and flying the aircraft under the direction of the owner. While on a straight in approach to the airport, the flight was advised three times by the atct of a variable right cross wind from 200 to 220° at speeds from 8 to 14 knots, with higher gust components. The tower also advised the flight of reports of light to moderate turbulence all the way to the ground. Both pilots reported that the aircraft had just touched down on runway 18 when a sudden cross wind gust lifted the right wing. The private pilot did not correct the situation and the aircraft owner could not overpower the other pilots control inputs in time to correct for the wind gust. The left wing tip drug the ground and the aircraft cartwheeled off the left side of the runway and into an airport fence.
Probable cause:
The failure of both pilots to adequately anticipate and compensate for the variable cross wind condition, and, the pilot in command's inadequate supervision of the flight. A factor in the accident was the left seat pilot's limited total experience and experience in high performance aircraft types.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 441 Conquest in Gainesville

Date & Time: Aug 10, 1992 at 1750 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N920C
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Gainesville - Nashville
MSN:
441-0020
YOM:
1978
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
8000
Captain / Total hours on type:
305.00
Circumstances:
The pilot reported that immediately after takeoff, he had a collision with a flight of birds. He stated that the right engine immediately had a partial loss of power. He stated that he did not attempt to raise the landing gear nor the flaps following the loss of engine power, and the aircraft would not maintain altitude. Examination of the aircraft engines revealed that there was rotational scratching of the turbine housings on the right engine, and no rotational scratching on the turbine housing of the left engine.
Probable cause:
The poor inflight decision by the pilot in command in that after a partial loss of power, he shut down the wrong engine, did not follow the emergency checklist, did not raise the flaps, and did not retract the landing gear. A factor in the accident was the inflight collision with birds during the takeoff climb.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 340 in Falmouth: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 7, 1992 at 2150 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N194S
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Macon – Grand Rapids
MSN:
340-0167
YOM:
1972
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
142
Captain / Total hours on type:
25.00
Aircraft flight hours:
2762
Circumstances:
The airplane was cruising at 16,500 feet at night when radar and radio contact were lost. The pilot made no distress radio calls. Recorded radar data showed the airplane in a left descending turn. Other airplanes were deviating around weather in the area. Ground witnesses heard the airplane prior to impact and reported rain. The pilot started flying lessons in march and received his multi-engine rating in june. He had a total of 142 hours flight time, with 25 hours in this make and model airplane and 9 hours total night time. The pilot was not instrument rated.
Probable cause:
The improper decision by the non-instrument-rated pilot to attempt VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions resulting in a loss of airplane control and subsequent inadvertent spiral and collision with the ground. Factors related to the accident were: the pilot's lack of total flight experience; the pilot's lack of flight time in this make and model airplane; and his overconfidence in his own ability.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C90 King Air off Pontiac

Date & Time: Aug 6, 1992 at 1410 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N90RG
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Holland - Pontiac
MSN:
LJ-546
YOM:
1971
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2114
Captain / Total hours on type:
261.00
Aircraft flight hours:
8487
Circumstances:
Pilot was on final approach when he stated he got a fuel crossfeed 'warning' light. He then proceeded to try to troubleshoot the fuel system by cycling the right boost pump switch, and 'reset and arm' the auto crossfeed. He stated the crossfeed light came on again followed by the right fuel pressure light, and he experienced a power loss on the right side. When he feathered the right engine, the left engine also experienced a loss of power. The pilot cleaned up the airplane and ditched in the lake short of the airport. The investigation revealed the left wing fuel tanks were empty, and the left nacelle tank was collapsed. The right wing fuel tanks were empty, and the right nacelle tank contained 19 gallons of fuel. The fuel supply, transfer, and crossfeed systems were functionally checked, and were operable. All cockpit fuel system lights indicated normal system operation.
Probable cause:
The pilot's not understanding the fuel system, and his subsequent inadvertent discontinuance of fuel to both engines.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed KC-130F Hercules at Keesler AFB

Date & Time: Jul 31, 1992
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
150684
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
3727
YOM:
1962
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll on runway 03, the crew decided to abandon the takeoff maneuver and initiated an emergency braking procedure. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran and came to rest in the Bay of Biloxi. There were no casualties while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The exact date of the mishap remains unknown, somewhere in July 1992.

Crash of a Lockheed L-1011-385-1 TriStar 1 in New York

Date & Time: Jul 30, 1992 at 1741 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N11002
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
New York - San Francisco
MSN:
193B-1014
YOM:
1972
Flight number:
TW843
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
280
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
20149
Captain / Total hours on type:
2397.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
15242
Copilot / Total hours on type:
2953
Aircraft flight hours:
49662
Aircraft flight cycles:
19659
Circumstances:
Immediately after liftoff the stick shaker activated, and the first officer, who was making the takeoff, said 'you got it.' The captain took control, closed the thrust levers, and landed. He applied full reverse thrust and maximum braking, and turned the airplane off the runway to avoid a barrier at the end. A system design deficiency permitted a malfunctioning aoa sensor to cause a false stall warning. The sensor had experienced 9 previous malfunctions, and was inspected and returned to service without a determination on the reason for the intermittent malfunction. The first officer had incorrectly perceived that the airplane was stalling and gave control to the captain without proper coordination of the transfer of control. All 292 occupants were rescued, among them 10 were injured, one seriously.
Probable cause:
Design deficiencies in the stall warning system that permitted a defect to go undetected, the failure of twa's maintenance program to correct a repetitive malfunction of the stall warning system, and inadequate crew coordination between the captain and first officer that resulted in their inappropriate response to a false stall warning.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver near Dillingham: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jul 30, 1992 at 1100 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N67151
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Bristol Bay Lodge - Togiak River
MSN:
900
YOM:
1956
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
8842
Captain / Total hours on type:
550.00
Aircraft flight hours:
7892
Circumstances:
The destination camp is located about 50 miles southwest of the departure lodge, and is separated by mountains with some peaks over 4,000 feet asl. The general area weather included low ceilings. The operator stated that shortly before the accident he observed the youth creek weather 'better than 400 feet...', and told the pilot that it appeared good enough to make the flight. The pilot stated that as he flew up youth creek he could see that the pass was closed by low clouds and attempted to reverse direction. The pilot stated he 'made a hard steep turn, and the airplane stalled...' the pilot said the weather was about 800 feet ceiling and visibility of 1 mile. When the pilot was admitted into the hospital immediately following the accident, he was diagnosed as having an insulin dependent diabetic condition. His medical records contain no evidence of, and the pilot denied any knowledge of, any pre-accident diabetic condition. Five passengers were killed while the pilot and a passenger were seriously injured. A day later, the survivor passenger died from his injuries.
Probable cause:
The pilot's delayed decision in reversing course and his failure to maintain airspeed during the maneuver. Factors related to the accident were: mountainous terrain and a low ceiling.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon in Yakutat: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 29, 1992 at 0900 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N7ME
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Dry Bay - Yakutat
MSN:
207-0263
YOM:
1974
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
9500
Captain / Total hours on type:
2000.00
Aircraft flight hours:
3292
Circumstances:
The crash occurred at the 1,100 foot level of a mountainside while the airplane was flying a course roughly parallel to the mountain range. Marginal weather conditions were reported for the area. The pilot's 22-year-old son stated that in those type weather conditions his father would routinely climb up into the soup. Set a loran course for home, and sit back and relax. When close to home he would descend to vfr conditions over the flat coastal area and land. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot elected to fly an improper altitude. Contributing factors were the pilots attempt to fly VFR into IMC conditions, and the obscured weather.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560F in Manville: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jul 23, 1992 at 1515 LT
Registration:
N560CM
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Salt Lake City - Waupaca
MSN:
560-1311-61
YOM:
1964
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
2195
Captain / Total hours on type:
158.00
Aircraft flight hours:
4538
Circumstances:
During a cross country business flight, which was filed and flown under instrument flight rules, the pilot and controller had numerous communications regarding routing and weather, and the aircraft was circumnavigating weather areas. The pilot reported entering what his stormscope showed as a 'clear' area after encountering rain and moderate turbulence at temperatures conducive to structural icing. The controller noted a 1,000 foot loss of altitude from the assigned cruise altitude of 17,000 feet, followed by a loss of altitude readout. Shortly thereafter the aircraft disappeared from the controller's radar scope. The wreckage was found near the last radar fix. The airplane impacted in a near vertical descent. All four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
A loss of control following flight into weather conditions containing thunderstorms, turbulence and icing conditions. Factors were: inaccurate weather evaluation and flight into known adverse weather by the pilot in command.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-3 Otter near McGrath

Date & Time: Jul 22, 1992 at 1530 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N41755
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Nikolai - Silvertip Lodge
MSN:
339
YOM:
1960
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
8500
Captain / Total hours on type:
320.00
Aircraft flight hours:
10587
Circumstances:
The airplane was in cruise flight when the pilot noticed a slight fire smell. The engine began to lose power slowly and would not respond to engine control inputs. The pilot landed on a gravel bar and had to extinguish the fire in the engine accessory case with the fire extinguisher and dirt. The airplane has not been recovered and the engine has not been examined.
Probable cause:
The fire in the engine accessory drive assembly. Factor was the rough an uneven forced landing area.
Final Report: