Region
code
USA
Crash of a Cessna 401 in New Port Richey: 1 killed
Date & Time:
Apr 23, 1992 at 1606 LT
Registration:
N3271Q
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
New Port Richey - Gainesville
MSN:
401-0071
YOM:
1967
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pic departed on a ferry flight in VFR conditions without a ferry permit. Witnesses stated they observed the airplane returning to the airport at about 150 to 500 feet. The airplane was observed to begin a left turn with the landing gear extended. A fire was observed in the vicinity of the left engine exhaust. The airplane continued in a steep descending left turn before it disappeared below the tree line and collided with the terrain. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot was fatally injured.
Probable cause:
The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain airspeed (vs) while maneuvering for a forced landing following an in flight left engine fire for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot in command's inadvertent shutdown of the wrong engine.
Final Report:
Crash of a Beechcraft E18 on Mt Haleakala: 9 killed
Date & Time:
Apr 22, 1992 at 1553 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N342E
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Hilo - Honolulu
MSN:
BA-308
YOM:
1957
Flight number:
SAT022
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Captain / Total hours on type:
465.00
Aircraft flight hours:
15925
Circumstances:
During the air tour flight the pilot had radioed his intentions to FSS to overfly an area about 5 miles southwest of the island of Maui. Approximately 10 minutes later the airplane impacted mountainous terrain on the island. IMC prevailed at the time and location of the accident. The pilot did not possess the minimum hours stipulated in the company ops manual to qualify as a captain. He falsified the employment application and resume. The company did not pursue substantive pre employment background checks, nor were they required by the FAA to do so. Regulations are needed for air tour operators that will enable FAA inspectors to require, rather than merely encourage, operators to adhere to procedures that offer the safety improvements of sfar 50-2 and FAA handbook 8400.10 bulletin 92-01. All nine occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The captain's decision to continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions that obscured rising mountainous terrain and his failure to properly use available navigational information to remain clear of the island of Maui. Contributing to the accident was the failure of Scenic Air Tours to conduct substantive pilot pre-employment background screening, and the failure of the Federal Aviation Administration to require commercial operators to conduct substantive pilot pre-employment screening.
Final Report:
Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 200 in Perris Valley: 16 killed
Date & Time:
Apr 22, 1992 at 1109 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N141PV
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Perris Valley - Perris Valley
MSN:
141
YOM:
1968
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
16
Captain / Total hours on type:
100.00
Aircraft flight hours:
29391
Circumstances:
The ground loader had fueled the airplane from the airport fuel truck. He stated that the flight crew did not sump the fuel tanks after they were fueled. Immediately after takeoff the right engine lost power, the right wing lowered to about 90°, and the airplane impacted the ground adjacent to the runway. Then forward fuel tank, which provides fuel to the right engine, was found to contain about 8 gallons of a heavily contaminated mixture composed of water, an emulsifying agent, and bacterial growth. The fuel from the airport fuel truck and main underground tank contained the same mixture. Fuel had been transferred from the underground tank to the truck on the evening preceding the accident. The left propeller control was found seized in the feather position; left propeller blades in the near feather position. Six skydivers were injured while 16 other occupants including both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot-in-command's inadvertent feathering of the wrong propeller following an engine power loss, and the failure of the operator to assure that the pilot was provided with adequate training in the airplane. Factors related to the accident were: water contamination of fuel in the airport storage tanks, the operator's lack of fuel quality control procedures, improper fuel servicing, improper preflight by the pilot(s), and exceeding the gross weight/forward cg limits of the airplane.
Final Report:
Crash of a Beechcraft C90 King Air in Saint Augustine: 2 killed
Date & Time:
Apr 9, 1992 at 0710 LT
Registration:
N105FL
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Tallahassee - Saint Augustine
MSN:
LJ-1215
YOM:
1989
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total hours on type:
1600.00
Aircraft flight hours:
1338
Circumstances:
The airplane disappeared from radar about 1-1/2 mile short of the airport during a VOR runway 13 approach. Radar data shows that the altitudes, descent rates, and ground speeds were consistent with the approach profile. The last radar position of the airplane was at 100 feet on the runway extended centerline. The debris path was aligned on a 130° magnetic heading. Witnesses stated that the visibility was near zero in fog. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot's failure to properly adhere to the published instrument approach procedure which resulted in descent below the minimum descent altitude. Factors which contributed to the accident were the low ceiling and fog.
Final Report:
