United States of America

Bartlesville-Frank Phillips

Schedule:

Chicago - Oklahoma City

MSN:

YOM:

1966

Location:

Oklahoma

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5389

Captain / Total hours on type:

2480.00

Aircraft flight hours:

44764

Circumstances:

The captain was cross-feeding both engines from the right tank while the first officer (f/o) was flying, without informing the f/o. The captain then left the cockpit while cross-feeding. Both tank valves and the right boost pump were on. The right tank ran dry, the right engine failed, and the prop autofeathered while the captain was absent. The captain returned, turned on the left boost pump, but left the right boost pump and the valves open, and attempted to restart the right engine. The left engine then failed but this was not recognized by the crew. The electrical system failed due to the attempted restarts and the fact that nonessential equipment was not turned off. The captain did not apply sufficient pull to the emergency gear handle to lower the gear manually. The aircraft was landed on a short wet sod runway, with the gear and flaps up, at a high rate of speed. The aircraft ran off the end of the runway, through a ditch, across a road, and into trees. Both pilots escaped uninjured.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (total) - nonmechanical
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
1. (c) 1 engine
2. Fluid, fuel - starvation
3. (c) fuel tank selector position - inattentive - pilot in command
4. (c) crew/group coordination - improper - pilot in command
5. (f) in-flight planning/decision - improper - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of engine power (total) - nonmechanical
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
6. (c) all engines
7. (c) fluid, fuel - starvation
8. (c) emergency procedure - improper - pilot in command
9. (f) checklist - inadequate - company/operator management
----------
Occurrence #3: forced landing
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
Findings
10. Airspeed - excessive - copilot/second pilot
----------
Occurrence #4: gear not extended
Phase of operation: landing
Findings
11. (c) gear extension - improper use of - pilot in command
12. (f) electrical system - deteriorated
----------
Occurrence #5: on ground/water collision with object
Phase of operation: landing
Findings
13. (f) terrain condition - ditch

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 208A Caravan I near Travis AFB: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 23, 1987 at 0423 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 208A Caravan

Operator:

Registration:

N828FE

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Postal (mail)

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Oakland - Reno

MSN:

208-0073

YOM:

1985

Location:

Travis AFB

California

Country:

Region:

Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

10495

Captain / Total hours on type:

642.00

Aircraft flight hours:

1721

Circumstances:

While cruising on a scheduled cargo flight in IMC the pilot encountered moderate to severe turbulence near an area where weather cells could have been observed on the aircraft's radar. The pilot reversed course, declared an emergency and lost control of the aircraft. The aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent, collided with terrain and was destroyed. The recently hired pilot had completed the FAA approved ground and flight training program in the aircraft. During the pilot's recent training, neither the FAA nor the operator required the pilot to demonstrate proficiency in unusual attitude recoveries or have knowledge in the operation of the aircraft's weather radar. Company employees, which included the pilot's husband, stated that the pilot had no previous experience with weather radar and did not understand the weather radar installed in this aircraft. They further stated that the pilot appeared to be tired. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
Pilot's encounter with severe turbulence which precipitated a loss of Aircraft control.
Findings
Occurrence #1: in flight encounter with weather
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
1. Light condition - dark night
2. (f) weather condition - turbulence in clouds
3. (f) weather radar - not understood - pilot in command
4. (f) inadequate initial training - company/operator management
5. (f) inadequate initial training - faa (principal operations inspector)
6. (c) flight into known adverse weather - continued - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
Findings
7. (c) spiral - uncontrolled - pilot in command
8. (f) spatial disorientation - pilot in command
9. (f) fatigue (lack of sleep) - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600) near Kalamazoo: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 23, 1987 at 0332 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Air Continental

Registration:

N554AC

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Milwaukee – Cleveland

MSN:

60-0029-060

YOM:

1969

Location:

Kalamazoo-Battle Creek

Michigan

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3290

Captain / Total hours on type:

101.00

Aircraft flight hours:

14254

Circumstances:

The aircraft was at cruise altitude (9,000 feet) for approximately 20 minutes when the pilot reported the loss of right engine power. Chicago ARTCC reported the closest airport was Kalamazoo, 28 miles west. The aircraft began to descend and at 0330:53 Chicago ARTCC reported N554AC was approximately 6 miles from Kalamazoo Airport. The pilot reported 'my right engine cowling is gone...I don't know if I'm going to make it.' Witnesses observed the aircraft at 'tree top level' and impact in a heavily wooded area near interstate 94, 5 miles from the airport. Investigation revealed improper weld repairs to the right engine case and separation of the number 2 cylinder from the case due to fatigue cracking in the through bolts and studs. The top section of the engine cowling separated due to the force of the cylinder separation. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (total) - mech failure/malf
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
1. 1 engine - failure, total
2. Engine assembly, crankcase - cracked
3. (c) maintenance, major repair - improper - other maintenance personnel
4. (c) engine assembly, other - fatigue
5. (c) engine assembly, cylinder - separation
6. (c) cooling system, cowling - separation
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
Findings
7. (f) light condition - bright night
8. (f) unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with object
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Findings
9. (f) object - tree(s)

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 340A near Bailey: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 21, 1987 at 1135 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 340

Operator:

James Munson Harmon

Registration:

N4132G

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Denver – Buena Vista

MSN:

340A-0303

YOM:

1977

Location:

Bailey

Colorado

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4809

Captain / Total hours on type:

364.00

Aircraft flight hours:

2146

Circumstances:

The aircraft crashed on the side of a mountain during visual meteorological conditions. The pilot had been in voice and radar contact with air traffic control until the aircraft disappeared from radar. The pilot reported severe turbulence and a rough running engine to ATC as he was nearing a mountain pass. The pilot stated that he thought the rough running engine was due to fuel contamination. A witness reported that the pilot had said the fuel had contained a lot of water. The pilot reported to ATC that he had just lost the engine and he was attempting to make it through a saddle. A sigmet had been issued for that region and the severe turbulence was confirmed by another pilot. Engine teardown revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical failure/malfunction.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: in flight encounter with weather
Phase of operation: cruise
Findings
1. (c) weather condition - turbulence, clear air
2. (c) flight into known adverse weather - attempted - pilot in command
3. (f) fluid, fuel - contamination
4. (f) preflight planning/preparation - inadequate - pilot in command
5. Powerplant - failure, partial
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: cruise
Findings
6. (f) weather condition - turbulence
7. (c) preflight planning/preparation - inadequate - pilot in command
8. Powerplant - failure, total
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled

Final Report:

Crash of a Dassault Falcon 10 in Rancho Murieta: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 15, 1987 at 1528 LT

Type of aircraft:

Dassault Falcon 10

Operator:

Falcon Jet Corporation

Registration:

N121FJ

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Demonstration

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Rancho Murieta - San José

MSN:

192

YOM:

1981

Location:

Rancho Murieta

California

Country:

Region:

Rockwell Aero Commander 700 (Fuji FA-300)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

8407

Captain / Total hours on type:

1200.00

Aircraft flight hours:

475

Circumstances:

The aircraft flew to the airport for a sales demonstration flight. The crew boarded the aircraft and taxied out for departure. Witnesses, including two pilots with aerobatic experience, watched the aircraft departure, make a left traffic pattern and do a low fly-by down the runway. At the departure end of the runway, the aircraft pitched up into a steep climb. At 600 feet agl, the aircraft entered a left aileron roll, which the witnesses said was 'smooth, coordinated and with the nose on the point.' At the inverted point of the roll, the roll changed from an aileron to a barrel roll. One pilot witness said that it appeared the 'crew lost it at the top' and that the crew 'held the back pressure too long at the top.' At the 270° point of the roll, the aircraft was seen to 'fall out' or 'dish out' of the roll; it recovered to wings level flight at about 100 feet agl in a very nose high attitude settling into the ground with a high vertical descent rate. No preimpact eng or control system malfunctions were found. All three occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
In flight loss of control by the pilot flying while performing an Intentional low level aerobatic maneuver.
Findings
Occurrence #1: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: maneuvering
Findings
1. (c) judgment - poor - pilot in command
2. (c) aerobatics - intentional - pilot in command
3. (f) ostentatious display - pilot in command
4. (f) altitude - inadequate - pilot in command
5. (c) flight controls - improper use of - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 700 in Pompano Beach: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 12, 1987 at 1437 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

R. S. Jones & Associates

Registration:

N26574

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Pompano Beach – Melbourne

MSN:

700-06

YOM:

1978

Location:

Pompano Beach

Florida

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5380

Aircraft flight hours:

1565

Circumstances:

Witnesses stated that just after takeoff, the left engine started to leave a trail of white smoke, the aircraft then turned left back towards the airport and crashed into the street. Post crash examination revealed one of the left engine crankshaft counterweights failed causing the #6 cylinder connecting rod to break and puncture a hole in the upper engine case. Both propellers were found in feather. Both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (total) - mech failure/malf
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
1. 1 engine
2. (c) eng assembly, crankshaft counterweights/vib damper - failure, total
3. Propeller feathering - performed - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of engine power (total) - nonmechanical
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
4. All engines
5. (c) wrong propeller feathered - inadvertent - pilot in command
6. (f) in-flight planning/decision - poor - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
7. (c) airspeed - not maintained - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #4: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled

Final Report:

Crash of a Volpar Turboliner 18 in Memphis: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 9, 1987 at 2215 LT

Type of aircraft:

Volpar Turboliner 18

Operator:

Registration:

N9231

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Memphis - Cincinnati

MSN:

3829

YOM:

1971

Location:

Memphis

Tennessee

Country:

Region:

Rockwell Grand Commander 690

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1913

Captain / Total hours on type:

64.00

Aircraft flight hours:

18702

Circumstances:

After takeoff pic was told by tower that tail stand, used to prevent aircraft from tipping on tail when loaded, was still attached to aircraft. Pic requested teardrop turn back to departure runway. Approach controller stated he saw mode C indication of 700 feet. Airport elevation is 332 feet. Aircraft was returning to runway 36R when it stalled, recovery was attempted, and aircraft impacted ground prior to completion of level off. Aircraft was 379 lbs over max takeoff weight and cg was at least 3 inches forward of the limit. No record of load manifest was found. Pic had low pic experience and received 2.7 documented flight hours with the operator's instructor pilot including his 135 competency check ride of 1.1 hours. Operator's initial training certification of pic showed 5 hours of flight training. Aircraft was a modified Beechcraft TC-45J initially built in 1943 and rebuilt by Hamilton in 1971. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
Findings
1. (f) aircraft preflight - inadequate - pilot in command
2. (f) aircraft weight and balance - not performed - pilot in command
3. (f) lack of total experience in type of aircraft - pilot in command
4. Light condition - bright night
5. (f) inadequate initial training - company/operator management
6. (f) diverted attention - pilot in command
7. (c) airspeed (vs) - not maintained - pilot in command
8. (c) stall - inadvertent - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 690B in Albuquerque

Date & Time: Oct 8, 1987 at 1615 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Mid-America Air

Registration:

N711TT

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Oklahoma City - Albuquerque

MSN:

690-11362

YOM:

1976

Location:

Albuquerque-Coronado

New Mexico

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:

7230

Captain / Total hours on type:

1086.00

Aircraft flight hours:

1829

Circumstances:

Aircraft was landing on runway 17 at Coronado Airport, 9 NM north of Albuquerque, NM Intl Airport. Pilot said he brought props into reverse and aircraft went off right side of runway. Pilot brought props out of reverse, realigned aircraft on runway, and reversed props again. Aircraft went off right side of runway and collided with runway lights and culverts. Right main and nose landing gears collapsed. Witnesses said approach was too fast with high sink rate that was arrested in landing flare. Pilot said he did not think there had been any mechanical failure or malfunction, but later wrote he thought left prop failed to reverse. Examination of aircraft revealed both prop blade tips curled opposite direction of rotation about 6 inches from tip.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of control - on ground/water
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
1. (f) airspeed (vref) - excessive - pilot in command
2. (c) directional control - not maintained - pilot in command
3. (f) planned approach - poor - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: on ground/water collision with object
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
4. (f) object - runway light
----------
Occurrence #3: gear collapsed
Phase of operation: landing - roll

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II in DeLand: 5 killed

Date & Time: Oct 7, 1987 at 1150 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Blackwing Aviation

Registration:

N8043Q

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

DeLand - Punta Gorda

MSN:

421B-0043

YOM:

1970

Location:

DeLand

Florida

Country:

Region: