United States of America

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Las Vegas - El Monte

MSN:

421C-0307

YOM:

1977

Location:

Las Vegas-Municipal

New Mexico

Country:

Region:

Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4230

Aircraft flight hours:

2690

Circumstances:

The aircraft was landed in a pasture about 2 miles from the airport after the aircraft began to descend 'behind the power curve' after takeoff. The pilot said he used full power for takeoff but the takeoff was longer than normal. The da was computed to be 9,286 feet. After takeoff the pilot said he raised the landing gear but a witness disagreed. The flight then reduced power and as rpm was reduced, noted that the mp was only 24 inches. The aircraft began a descent which the pilot said could not be stopped with power so he landed gear down in a pasture. The aircraft collided with 2 ditches and a fence during the 1,500 feet roll. The engines were found to operate normally after the accident. All four occupants were injured, two seriously.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Findings
1. (f) weather condition - high density altitude
2. (f) preflight planning/preparation - poor - pilot in command
3. (c) aircraft weight and balance - not used - pilot in command
4. (c) performance data - not used - pilot in command
5. (c) overconfidence in personal ability - pilot in command
6. (c) throttle/power control - improper use of - pilot in command
7. (c) remedial action - delayed - pilot in command
8. (c) airspeed - not maintained - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: descent
----------
Occurrence #3: on ground/water encounter with terrain/water
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
9. Terrain condition - open field
10. Terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
11. (f) object - fence

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601P) in Balmorhea

Date & Time: May 4, 1985 at 2030 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N8083J

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Illegal (smuggling)

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

61-0624-7962138

YOM:

1979

Location:

Balmorhea

Texas

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The aircraft was involved in illegal activity when it was intentionally landed in an open pasture. During the landing, the aircraft veered left and struck a 30 inches high concrete culvert. The gear collapsed on contact with the culvert. Unknown personnel subsequently drug the aircraft with a vehicle to a barn. When they attempted to drag the aircraft into the barn, they tore the wings off and damaged the barn.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: on ground/water collision with object
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
1. (f) object - building (nonresidential)
2. (c) ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: complete gear collapsed
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
3. Landing gear - failure, total
4. Landing gear - overload

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3-313D in Perris Valley

Date & Time: May 4, 1985 at 1920 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-3

Operator:

Registration:

N157U

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Skydiving / Paratroopers

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Perris Valley - Perris Valley

MSN:

4132

YOM:

1941

Location:

Perris Valley

California

Country:

Region:

Swearingen SA226T Merlin III

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2200

Captain / Total hours on type:

800.00

Aircraft flight hours:

42950

Circumstances:

The aircraft's left engine caught fire during the takeoff roll. The pilot managed to stop the aircraft on the runway and all 31 skydivers and the two member crew evacuated without injury. The left engine propeller had lost one blade which was found several days later 3,000 feet west of the wreckage. There was no evidence found to substantiate compliance with a mandatory airworthiness directive on the propeller blade.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: airframe/component/system failure/malfunction
Phase of operation: takeoff - roll/run
Findings
1. (c) propeller system/accessories, blade - failure, total
2. (f) maintenance, compliance with ad - not obtained - company maintenance personnel
3. (c) propeller system/accessories, blade - separation
----------
Occurrence #2: fire/explosion
Phase of operation: takeoff - roll/run

Final Report:

Crash of a Swearingen SA226T Merlin IIIB in Livermore

Date & Time: May 3, 1985 at 2142 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N444LM

Flight Phase:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Thermal - Livermore

MSN:

T-295

YOM:

1978

Location:

Livermore

California

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

13000

Captain / Total hours on type:

3000.00

Aircraft flight hours:

3468

Circumstances:

The aircraft landed hard and short of the runway. The impact collapsed the right main landing gear and the aircraft was destroyed by the post crash fire. The pilot reported that on short final a muffled 'pop' was heard and the aircraft yawed to the right. Directional control was regained and the aircraft landed hard. Post accident inspection failed to disclose any pre-impact failure/malfunction of the aircraft or engines. Right engine propeller slash marks in the runway indicate power was being produced on the engine at touchdown. Both pilots were uninjured.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: approach - vfr pattern - final approach
Findings
1. (c) descent - improper - pilot in command
2. Pull-up - delayed - pilot in command
3. (c) airspeed - not maintained - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: main gear collapsed
Phase of operation: landing - flare/touchdown
Findings
4. Landing gear,main gear - overload

Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed PV-2D Harpoon in Mesa

Date & Time: May 1, 1985 at 1557 LT

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed P-2 Harpoon

Operator:

Globe Air (USA)

Registration:

N7415C

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Test

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Mesa - Mesa

MSN:

15-1608

YOM:

1945

Location:

Mesa-Falcon Field

Arizona

Country:

Region:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

11750

Captain / Total hours on type:

220.00

Circumstances:

Following a dual engine change, the pilot test flew the aircraft. On initial climb, at about 500 feet agl, both engines began backfiring violently and lost power. According to the pilot, power sufficient for flight could not be obtained, and a forced landing was made about 0.75 miles from the airport. The landing occurred in open desert terrain and the aircraft was substantially damaged. The pilot acknowledged that he did not check the position of the control handles for the superchargers during either his preflight or pre-takeoff inspections. And the blowers had been inadvertently left set to the high blower position. According to the pilot, the checklist which he was using for the aircraft did not address the position of the blowers because for the past 15 years it had been company policy to 'wire the blowers to the low blower position.' Both occupants escaped uninjured.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (partial) - nonmechanical
Phase of operation: takeoff - roll/run
Findings
1. (c) checklist - inaccurate - pilot in command
2. (c) powerplant controls - improper - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: landing - flare/touchdown
Findings
3. Airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - none suitable
4. Terrain condition - rough/uneven

Final Report:

Crash of a Partenavia P.68C Victor near Tilden

Date & Time: Apr 25, 1985 at 1300 LT

Type of aircraft:

Partenavia P.68

Operator:

Registration:

N76L

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Corpus Christi - Houston

MSN:

292

YOM:

1983

Location:

Tilden

Texas

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

6020

Captain / Total hours on type:

712.00

Aircraft flight hours:

727

Circumstances:

After approximately 1.5 hours of pipeline patrol flight at a planned altitude of 500 feet agl the aircraft flew into the flat terrain in a landing attitude. The aircraft went through a wire fence, heavy brush and small trees before coming to rest 437 feet from initial ground contact with all 3 gear collapsed. A physical examination and the pilot's statement indicate that the pilot was operating under an extreme amount of stress which may have resulted in chronic fatigue at the time of the accident. According to the pilot, he was accustomed to a very heavy flight schedule. The chief pilot attempted to assign an additional pilot but company budget constraints prevented such an assignment.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Findings
1. (c) proper altitude - not maintained - pilot in command
2. (c) descent - inadvertent - pilot in command
3. (f) fatigue (chronic) - pilot in command
4. Company-induced pressure - company/operator management
5. Terrain condition - ground
----------
Occurrence #2: complete gear collapsed
Phase of operation: other
Findings
6. Landing gear - overload

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell CT-39A-1-NO Sabreliner in Wilkes Barre: 5 killed

Date & Time: Apr 20, 1985 at 1800 LT

Type of aircraft:

Rockwell T-39 Sabreliner

Operator:

Registration:

62-4496

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

276-49

YOM:

1962

Location:

Wilkes-Barre

Pennsylvania

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After landing at Wilkes-Barre Airport, the twin engine airplane was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran and went down a 125 feet embankment before coming to rest in flames. All five occupants were killed.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Nantucket

Date & Time: Apr 6, 1985 at 1815 LT

Type of aircraft:

Piper PA-31-310 Navajo

Operator:

Will's Air

Registration:

N68DD

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Hyannis - Nantucket

MSN:

31-532

YOM:

1969

Location:

Nantucket

Massachusetts

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:

5800

Captain / Total hours on type:

370.00

Aircraft flight hours:

6878

Circumstances:

Aircraft collided with trees during final approach to runway 24. No evidence of pre-impact failure or malfunction of the aircraft was found. Reported weather at crash site indefinite 100 feet sky obscured. RVR 2,400 feet. Aircraft should have encountered a decreasing headwind and probably moderate turbulence on the final descent. The aircraft was destroyed and all eight occupants were injured, three seriously.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: in flight encounter with weather
Phase of operation: approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
Findings
1. (c) minimum descent altitude - below - pilot in command
2. (f) anxiety/apprehension - pilot in command
3. (c) descent - not corrected - pilot in command
4. (f) missed approach - not performed - pilot in command

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II in Johnson City: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 2, 1985 at 1646 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Bradley Machine Company

Registration:

N5407J

Flight Phase:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Johnson City - Toledo

MSN:

421B-0955

YOM:

1975

Location:

Johnson City

New York

Country:

Region: