United States of America

Schedule:

Norfolk - Omaha

MSN:

31-105

YOM:

1968

Location:

Norfolk-Karl Stefan

Nebraska

Country:

Region:

Consolidated PBY Catalina

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5980

Circumstances:

The airplane departed on runway 31 with a low ceiling and visibility variable from 1/4 mile to 1/16 mile and winds from 290° at 38 knots, gusting to 47 knots. A witness stated that the airplane was airborne no more than two minutes after the engines were started. The airplane was heard and observed 1/4 of a mile northeast of the airport at low altitude. It climbed into the clouds and impacted the terrain in an almost flat attitude, 1/8 of a mile beyond and was demolished by impact and post-impact fire. All five occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
1. (f) weather condition - low ceiling
2. (f) weather condition - obscuration
3. (f) weather condition - snow
4. (c) preflight planning/preparation - inadequate - pilot in command
5. (f) stall - inadvertent - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
----------
Occurrence #3: fire
Phase of operation: other

Final Report:

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina off Kahului

Date & Time: Apr 14, 1986

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Can-Air Services

Registration:

C-FSAT

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Test

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

21986

YOM:

1943

Location:

Kahului

Hawaii

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After being stores for almost a year, the seaplane was engaged in a local test flight in the region of Kahului. Upon landing on sea, it collided with reef and came to rest. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Collision with reef upon landing.

Crash of a Cessna 411 in Bloomington

Date & Time: Apr 5, 1986 at 1530 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 411

Operator:

Peter H. Whitem

Registration:

N3213R

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Bloomington-Monroe County

Schedule:

Nashville - Bloomington

MSN:

411-0213

YOM:

1966

Location:

Indiana

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

889

Captain / Total hours on type:

63.00

Aircraft flight hours:

2262

Circumstances:

The pilot reported that while on final approach to runway 35, the aircraft encountered 'extreme windshift' and was blown about 550 feet right of course with a 30 knot loss of airspeed (from 130 to 100 knots). He stated the aircraft lost about 300 feet, then was blown back on course with an additional loss of altitude. Subsequently, the aircraft touched down hard on the approach end of the runway. During touchdown, the right main tire blew out, the right propeller struck the runway 9 times and the right wing was damaged. The surface wind was reported to be from 240° at 10 knots with no gusts. All four occupants escaped uninjured.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: hard landing
Phase of operation: landing - flare/touchdown
Findings
1. (f) weather condition - crosswind
2. (f) weather condition - tailwind
3. (f) weather condition - windshear
4. (c) weather condition - unfavorable wind
5. (c) compensation for wind conditions - inadequate - pilot in command
6. Flare - not attained

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65 Queen Air in Montague: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 5, 1986 at 1430 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft 65 Queen Air

Operator:

Raymond C. Jopling Jr.

Registration:

N810Q

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Oklahoma City - Bowie

MSN:

LC-26

YOM:

1960

Location:

Montague

Texas

Country:

Region:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

10624

Captain / Total hours on type:

50.00

Aircraft flight hours:

5779

Circumstances:

The pilot was observed in the area for several minutes while he was performing steep climbs and descents, low passes, and buzzing. Witnesses reported power was removed from both engines simultaneously, as if the throttles were retarded, followed by a loud pop. The aircraft began to wobble slightly and then a surge of engine power was heard only seconds before tree impact occurred. The aircraft then yawed sharply and impacted the ground. The wreckage was found near Montague, about five miles northeast of Bowie Airport, the intended destination. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: maneuvering
Findings
1. (c) airspeed - not identified - pilot in command
2. (f) low pass - performed - pilot in command
3. (f) buzzing - performed - pilot in command
4. (f) overconfidence in personal ability - pilot in command
5. (f) ostentatious display - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with object
Phase of operation: maneuvering
Findings
6. (c) object - tree(s)
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled

Final Report:

Crash of an IAI 1124A Westwind in Redwater: 7 killed

Date & Time: Apr 4, 1986 at 1922 LT

Type of aircraft:

IAI 1124 Westwind

Operator:

Drayton Associates

Registration:

N50SK

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Dallas - Teterboro

MSN:

309

YOM:

1980

Location:

Redwater

Texas

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

7353

Captain / Total hours on type:

657.00

Aircraft flight hours:

2745

Circumstances:

Airplane crashed during a uncontrolled descent, following a turbulence upset at FL370. The upset occurred as a result of clear air turbulences associated with a vip level 6 thunderstorm located within 7 miles of the last position of the airplane. After the upset, the airplane penetrated and descended thru the cell which contained lightning, extreme turbulences and severe icing. During the upset/descent both engines flamed out and the crew's attempts to recover the airplane were unsuccessful due to conditions in the cell. Crew received an improper briefing from FSS and reported their radar was malfunctioning to the deputy controller. Sigmet and AWW info was not given during the briefing. As the airplane came out of the bottom of the cell at 4,000 feet, the crew overstressed the airplane causing the left main landing door to separate and hit the left horizontal stab which subsequently separated in overload. Impact was 82° nose down. Nature of the airplane radar malfunction could not be determined. All seven occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: airframe/component/system failure/malfunction
Phase of operation: climb - to cruise
Findings
1. (c) flight/nav instruments, weather radar system - failure, partial
2. (f) operation with known deficiencies in equipment - continued - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight encounter with weather
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
3. (c) weather condition - thunderstorm
4. (c) weather condition - turbulence, clear air
5. (c) weather condition - gusts
6. (c) weather condition - downdraft
7. (f) light condition - dark night
8. (c) preflight briefing service - improper - atc personnel (fss)
9. (c) hazardous weather advisory - not issued - atc personnel (fss)
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight encounter with weather
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
10. (c) in-flight weather advisories - not issued - atc personnel (fss)
11. (c) information unclear - atc personnel (fss)
----------
Occurrence #4: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
12. Remedial action - attempted - pilot in command
13. (f) excessive workload (task overload) - pilot in command
14. (f) excessive workload (task overload) - copilot/second pilot
----------
Occurrence #5: loss of engine power (total) - nonmechanical
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
----------
Occurrence #6: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled

Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed HC-130P Hercules near Magdalena: 11 killed

Date & Time: Apr 2, 1986

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

Operator:

Registration:

66-0211

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Test

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Kirtland - Kirtland

MSN:

4161

YOM:

1966

Location:

Magdalena

New Mexico

Country:

Region:

Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The four engine aircraft departed Kirtland AFB on a test flight. While cruising at low altitude, the aircraft encountered turbulences and suffered a wing failure. It crashed in a hilly terrain located some 15,5 miles north of Magdalena. All 11 crew members were killed.

Crash of a Piper PA-46-310P Malibu in Boyne Falls: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 23, 1986 at 1643 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Richard H. Turner

Registration:

N43769

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Boyne Falls-Boyne Mountain

Schedule:

Detroit – Boyne Falls

MSN:

46-8508007

YOM:

1985

Location:

Michigan

Country:

Region:

De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1168

Circumstances:

After the pilot was cleared for an RNAV-B approach, the aircraft crashed on hilly terrain approximately 3 miles southeast of the airport at an elevation of 750 feet msl. Impact occurred after the aircraft had turned to the south-southeast and was descending. Minimum descent altitude (MDA) for the approach was 1,680 feet. No preimpact mechanical problems were found. Approximately 4 hours before takeoff, FSS personnel provided a weather briefing. There was no weather reporting station at the destination, but the area forecast was for marginal VMC with isolated visibilities of 3 to 5 miles in light snow showers. Pellston (approximately 25 miles away) was forecast for a chance of 1,200 feet overcast and 3 miles visibility with light snow showers, but this info was not given to the pilot. Later, when the pilot filed an IFR flight plan, he did not update his weather briefing. While en route, he checked the Pellston and Traverse City weather and was advised they had indefinite or obscured ceilings of 1,500 feet or less with gusty winds and light snow squalls. According to witnesses, there were snow showers or squalls in the accident area with 1/4 to 3/4 miles visibility. The missed approach procedure called for: right climbing turn to 3,000 feet, proceed to the IAF (8 miles south of airport) and hold. Both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: in flight encounter with weather
Phase of operation: approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
Findings
1. (f) preflight planning/preparation - inadequate - pilot in command
2. (f) preflight briefing service - inadequate - atc personnel (fss)
3. (f) weather condition - low ceiling
4. (f) weather condition - snow
5. (f) weather condition - high wind
6. (f) weather condition - gusts
7. (f) weather condition - obscuration
8. (f) weather condition - below approach/landing minimums
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: approach
Findings
9. (c) ifr procedure - not followed - pilot in command
10. (c) minimum descent altitude - not maintained - pilot in command
11. (c) descent - not corrected - pilot in command

Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-4A Caribou in Lime Village: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 20, 1986 at 1330 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N539Y

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Palmer - Lime Village

MSN:

197

YOM:

1964

Location:

Lime Village

Alaska

Country:

Region:

Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

16972

Aircraft flight hours:

12159

Circumstances:

Witnesses observed the aircraft on final approach with its gear down then the nose pitched up. The aircraft rolled left and crashed into trees. The aircraft's cockpit, cabin, engine nacelles, cargo and portions of the wings were destroyed by post-impact fire. Post accident examination of the aircraft revealed the landing gear was in the up and locked position and the flaps were at 30°. This is consistent with a go-around configuration. No mechanical malfunction/failure could be determined. The aircraft had a restricted category airworthiness certificate. The cargo area contained two fuel tanks and assorted items (oil stove, tools, 55 gallon drum and hoses). The pilot was type rated in this aircraft. The runway length listed in the Alaska supplement was 1,000 feet longer than the actual runway length. The runway was glazed with ice. Both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: approach - vfr pattern - final approach
Findings
1. (f) in-flight planning/decision - improper - pilot in command
2. (c) airspeed (vs) - improper - pilot in command
3. (c) stall - inadvertent - pilot in command
4. (f) altitude - inadequate - pilot in command
5. (f) go-around - attempted - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Florida City: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 14, 1986

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

James W. Cooper

Registration:

N49984

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Illegal (smuggling)

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

31-7552074

YOM:

1975

Location:

Florida City

Florida

Country:

Region: