United States of America

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Tulsa - Dayton

MSN:

2518

Location:

Tulsa

Oklahoma

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

6274

Captain / Total hours on type:

56.00

Circumstances:

The pilot did not hold a type rating or written authorization to act as pilot in command. The copilot did not hold a type rating or written authorization to act as second in command and his medical had expired. The aircraft did not have an airworthiness certificate nor had a special flight permit been issued. The left propeller went into reverse during the initial climb due to corrosion and deterioration of the wiring that controlled the propeller. The aircraft crashed out of control after colliding with power lines during takeoff. It struck the ground and went through a fence then down a slope and over an embankment. The aircraft then bounced across a street while turning around and colliding with a power line pole tail first. The aircraft had traveled about 537 feet from initial ground contact. All 3 engines were still producing power when the aircraft came to rest. Both occupants escaped uninjured.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: airframe/component/system failure/malfunction
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
1. (c) electrical system - corroded
2. (f) inadeq substantiation process, inadequate documentation - company/operator mgmt
3. (c) electrical system - deteriorated
4. (c) propeller system/accessories,reversing system - engaged
5. (c) procedures/directives - disregarded - pilot in command
6. (c) operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted - pilot in command
7. (f) lack of total experience in type of aircraft - pilot in command
8. (f) lack of total experience in type of aircraft - copilot/second pilot
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas B-26C Invader near Cimarron: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 26, 1988 at 1715 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas A-26 Invader

Operator:

Edward G. Counselman

Registration:

N4813E

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Goodland - Phoenix

MSN:

29243

YOM:

1944

Location:

Cimarron

New Mexico

Country:

Region:

Landing (descent or approach)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1086

Circumstances:

The pilot received a weather briefing before takeoff, but did not file a flight plan. During the flight, the aircraft (Douglas A-26C, N4813E) crashed in mountainous terrain at an elevation of about 11,200 feet near Baldy Mountain. Scouting personnel, who were camped in the vicinity, reported the weather was poor with a low ceiling, restricted visibility, rain and hail. An examination of the crash site revealed the aircraft impacted in a steep, right wing low, nose low attitude. Much of the wreckage collapsed into the impact crater. The degree of destruction was consistent with a high speed impact. Chordwise scratch marks were found on the prop blades. Several tree branches and limbs at the crash site had smooth cuts. The pilot was type rated in the A-26, but his certificate had a limitation that restricted him to flying it in 'VFR only.' Neither the pilot nor the rated passenger held an instrument rating. The rated passenger did not have a type rating in the A-26, but the pilot possessed a waiver to fly N4813E as a single pilot airplane. Both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: in flight encounter with weather
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
1. (f) light condition - dusk
2. (f) visual/aural perception - pilot in command
3. (f) terrain condition - high terrain
4. (f) weather condition - low ceiling
5. (f) weather condition - fog
6. (f) weather condition - rain
7. (f) weather condition - hail
8. (f) weather condition - obscuration
9. (c) vfr flight into imc - continued - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: cruise
Findings
10. (c) aircraft control - not maintained - pilot in command
11. (c) spatial disorientation - pilot in command
12. (f) lack of total instrument time - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Findings
13. (f) terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31P Pressurized Navajo in Miami: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 17, 1988 at 1927 LT

Type of aircraft:

Piper PA-31-310 Navajo

Operator:

Laurence D. Gavolic

Registration:

N560JB

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Miami - Miami

MSN:

31-7400195

YOM:

1974

Location:

Miami-Opa Locka

Florida

Country:

Region:

Landing (descent or approach)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3444

Captain / Total hours on type:

270.00

Aircraft flight hours:

1750

Circumstances:

The instructor (cfi), who survived, was flying the aircraft from the right front seat while the owner/pilot was in the left seat. The flight had progressed normally until the pilots returned to the airport to land. Clearance was received to land on runway 09L. According to the cfi, he lowered the landing gear, selected 10° of flaps and noted he needed excessive back pressure on the control yoke to keep the aircraft from descending. Also, he stated he was unable to relieve the pressure with electrical or manual trim. He asked the pilot/owner to use his electrical trim (on the left yoke), but this did not help. The cfi stated he retracted the flaps and increased power, but the aircraft continued to settle. Subsequently, it hit a tree and a pole, then impacted the ground and struck a vehicle before stopping. A fire erupted and all 3 occupants were burned while evacuating the aircraft. The pilot/owner died from his injuries. No preimpact part failure or malfunction was found during the investigation. Flight test data concerning thrust-drag ratio showed that induced drag increases rapidly below 90 knots. Witnesses said the aircraft was low/slow on final approach.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: in flight collision with object
Phase of operation: approach - vfr pattern - final approach
Findings
1. (c) in-flight planning/decision - improper - pilot in command (cfi)
2. Descent - inadvertent
3. (c) airspeed - not maintained - pilot in command (cfi)
4. (c) proper altitude - not maintained - pilot in command (cfi)
5. (f) object - tree(s)
6. (f) object - utility pole
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Findings
7. Object - vehicle

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 404 Titan in Aurora

Date & Time: Jun 10, 1988 at 1604 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 404 Titan

Operator:

Air Today

Registration:

N8827K

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Ferry

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

City

Schedule:

Greeley - Denver

MSN:

404-0424

YOM:

1978

Location:

Aurora

Colorado

Country:

Region:

De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1400

Captain / Total hours on type:

400.00

Aircraft flight hours:

3486

Circumstances:

The pilot was on a flight from Greeley to Denver, Colorado to obtain minor maintenance on a cargo door. As the aircraft was being vectored on final approach, the pilot reported that he believed the aircraft had fuel starvation. Subsequently, the aircraft was observed to make a complete roll and crash in a residential area. Only about 1.5 gallon of fuel was found in the right wing tank. The left wing and fuel tank were destroyed, but no odor of fuel was noted on the ground around the left wing. Also, a lack of fuel was noted in the fuel lines. The aircraft had not been refueled after the previous flight. The pilot that had flown the aircraft on a previous flight estimated there was 100 lbs of fuel remaining in each tank after his flight.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (total) - nonmechanical
Phase of operation: approach - vfr pattern - final approach
Findings
1. 1 engine
2. (f) aircraft preflight - improper - pilot in command
3. (f) refueling - not performed - pilot in command
4. (f) in-flight planning/decision - improper - pilot in command
5. (f) fluid, fuel - starvation
6. (f) fuel supply - inadequate - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: approach - vfr pattern - final approach
Findings
7. (c) airspeed (vmc) - not maintained - pilot in command
8. (c) aircraft control - not maintained - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled

Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in Chugiak: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 10, 1988 at 1356 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Pete E. Bloomfield

Registration:

N48108

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Chugiak - Anchorage

MSN:

781

YOM:

1955

Location:

Chugiak

Alaska

Country:

Region:

Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

7500

Circumstances:

The pilot-in-command, a certified mechanic, performed his own maintenance on the aircraft. This maintenance required the removal, reinstallation and rigging of the ailerons. As the pilot was taking off on the first flight after maintenance, the aircraft entered a roll after lift-off and crashed. The pilot, sole on board, was killed. An investigation revealed the controls to the left aileron were connected in reverse.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
1. (c) flight control, aileron - improper
2. (c) maintenance, installation - improper - company/operator management
3. (c) aircraft preflight - improper - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: takeoff

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II near Knoxville: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 9, 1988 at 1203 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

David M. Bailie

Registration:

N700SC

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Indianapolis - Jacksonville

MSN:

421B-0910

YOM:

1975

Location:

Knoxville

Tennessee

Country:

Region:

Landing (descent or approach)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

435

Captain / Total hours on type:

250.00

Aircraft flight hours:

3516

Circumstances:

During an IFR flight at FL170, the pilot reported airframe icing and requested a higher altitude. The pilot climbed to FL210 where he started a descent and reported loss of manifold pressure in the left engine. The pilot indicated that weather was in his flight path and descent was required to avoid icing. 90 seconds later the pilot transmitted '...losing it...'. Radar data indicated aircraft had an inflight breakup at approximately 17,000 feet msl. There was no evidence of mechanical or structural malfunction prior to the breakup. The aircraft did not have a complete current annual and de-ice equipment was inoperative. The pilot had no actual instrument experience and was not certified for multi engine IFR flight. The pilot had a medical history of anxiety attacks and had been taking prescription medication, Xanax and Tofranil, for approximately three years prior to the accident. The blood contained 1.2 mcg/ml of imipramine (Tofranil) and 2.6 mcg/ml desipramine (metabolite of Tofranil). Xanax (alprazolam) was not reported in blood toxicology. These drugs have been known to produce side effects that include poor judgement. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: in flight encounter with weather
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
1. (f) weather condition - thunderstorm
2. (f) weather condition - icing conditions
3. (f) flight control surfaces/attachments - ice
4. (f) weather condition - rain
5. (f) weather condition - turbulence
6. (c) in-flight planning/decision - poor - pilot in command
7. (c) impairment (drugs) - pilot in command
8. (c) flight into known adverse weather - intentional - pilot in command
9. (f) lack of total instrument time - pilot in command
10. (f) operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of engine power (partial) - nonmechanical
Phase of operation: cruise
Findings
11. 1 engine
12. Engine assembly - undetermined
----------
Occurrence #3: airframe/component/system failure/malfunction
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Findings
13. (f) operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed - pilot in command
14. (c) design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #4: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Findings
15. Terrain condition - residential area

Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed C-130E Hercules in Greenville: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jun 8, 1988

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

Operator:

Registration:

61-2373

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Little Rock - Greenville

MSN:

3720

YOM:

1962

Location:

Greenville-Abide Airpark

Mississippi

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was approaching Greenville-Abide Airpark Airfield, completing a training mission on behalf of the 154th Squadron of the Air National Guard of Arkansas. On final, the four engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances less than a mile from the runway threshold. All six occupants were killed.

Crash of a Cessna 340 in Georgetown: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 6, 1988 at 2000 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 340

Operator:

M. C. Services

Registration:

N7828Q

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Delivery

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

340-0241

YOM:

1973

Location:

Georgetown

Texas

Country:

Region:

Cessna 421C Golden Eagle III

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1005

Aircraft flight hours:

1175

Circumstances:

The pilot in the right seat had hired the pilot in the left seat to ferry the airplane to Germany, then to Turkey. A four tank ferry fuel system was installed but a weight and balance check was not made. During the tkof, the aircraft would not climb. Afterward the airplane was computed to have been overweight and the cg was aft of the rear limit. The left wing hit trees and the right wing hit two fences. After colliding with the terrain, the airplane burned. Both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: in flight collision with object
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
1. (c) preflight planning/preparation - inadequate - pilot in command
2. (c) aircraft weight and balance - exceeded - pilot in command
3. (c) lift-off - premature - pilot in command
4. (c) airspeed - inadequate - pilot in command
5. (f) object - tree(s)
6. (f) object - fence
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421C Golden Eagle III near Shaver Lake: 4 killed

Date & Time: May 28, 1988 at 1910 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Brooks Products

Registration:

N98683

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Rialto - Truckee

MSN:

421C-0209

YOM:

1976

Location:

Shaver Lake

California

Country:

Region: