United States of America

Pilot lost control of his aircraft during low altitude maneuvers to align the aircraft for landing. The low ceiling and rising terrain around the airport influenced the pilots decisions to make tight turns at low altitude. The aircraft was stalled and rolled inverted onto the runway during a turn.

A PA-31, N100FD, was being vectored by DFW approach control (approach control) for a landing on runway 13L at Dallas-Love Field. The pilot's last received and acknowledged instructions were to descend and maintain 2,000 feet and turn left to 190°. Simultaneously, a Cessna 337, N72430, departed runway 15 at Addison Airport, under tower control, and was to make a right climbing turn of approx 180°. Two min after takeoff, the pilot asked and got approval for freq change. 24 seconds later, he contacted approach control stating he had just departed Addison and was climbing to 2,500 feet on a 300° heading. The controller misunderstood the pilot's departure point and instructed him to change to frequency 120.5. The two aircraft immediately collided. A 2,000 feet ceiling was reported, two witnesses stated they could see more blue sky than clouds. A witness approximately 8 miles away saw a fireball in the clouds. Investigation revealed the controller, vectoring N100FD, prematurely cleared the aircraft to an altitude which was below the ceiling of the Addison Airport traffic area and prior to reaching the airspace delegated for that purpose by an ATC letter of agreement.

The aircraft was observed without lights making repeated low altitude passes over a pipeline right-of-way at night. The aircraft was equipped with an internal aux fuel tank, non-standard internal plumbing, a large lever-operated petroleum products pump, an inflatable raft and other survival equipment. The cabin door was not found at the crash site. The pilots departed Fort Lauderdale, FL on October 16 on a flight to the Bahamas and were expected to return on October 18.

The aircraft was on a local flight involving a parachute jumping activity. In addition to the pilot, there were 12 parachutists and an observer on board. The pilot initiated his takeoff on runway 18. A witness stated that shortly after takeoff, the engine power was reduced to climb power, followed by the gear retraction. Reportedly, the aircraft had climbed to about 150 feet agl when the nose pitched up, the plane rolled to the left and then it crashed in a steep left bank, nose down attitude. An investigation revealed that the aircraft was loaded well beyond its maximum gross weight and aft cg limits. The amount of fuel on board was not verified, but even with no fuel, the plane would have been about 580 lbs over the maximum limit. With 100 gallons, the estimated gross weight would have been about 9,939 lbs with the cg at about 121 inches. The maximum certificated gross weight was 8,750 lbs with an aft cg limit of 117.6 inches. Extensive ground fire damage, but no preimpact, mechanical discrepancies evident.

The purpose of the flight was to be a reindoctrination/training flight for the second-in-command. Witnesses observed the aircraft off shore flying parallel to the cliffs approximately 500 feet over the water. The aircraft banked left then right to a 90° right wing low attitude wing-over type maneuver and descend into the ocean off Waimanalo. The aircraft was not recovered. All three occupants were killed.

During departure, the pilot climbed in IFR conditions to 6,000 feet. After leveling, a frequency change was made and he was cleared to 8,000 feet, which he acknowledged. About 2 minutes later, the controller radioed to the pilot that he was about 4 miles north of the airway, but there was no reply from the pilot. Shortly after that radar contact was lost and the plane crashed in mountainous terrain. Several residents in the area reported hearing extremely loud engine noises followed by complete silence. An investigation revealed that both wings had separated outboard of their respective engine nacelle assemblies. An examination of the fractures revealed the wings had separated from positive overload. The leading edges of both wings had ballooned upward, indicative of extreme airspeed. The empennage had separated in a yaw and from right torsional overload. Parts of the aircraft were found within a 1 mile arc, north of the main impact area. The pilot's recent instrument experience could not be verified. All three occupants were killed. Turbulence was forecasted below 8,000 feet.

Following a missed approach to Aurora-Sugar Grove Airport, the twin engine airplane descended in a left turn, causing the left wing to struck the ground first. The aircraft broke up and caught fire. The pilot, sole on board, was killed. No malfunctions found.

At about 1930 cdt, the aircraft departed Yukon, OK on a direct flight to Alton, IL. It landed at Alton at about 2200 cdt, and about 10 minutes later, it departed on a return flight to Yukon. Before departing Alton, the pilot stated that he would refuel at Springfield, MO while on the return trip. However, there was no indication that the plane was refueled at Springfield. Subsequently, the aircraft crashed near Afton, OK at about 2350 cdt. A witness stated that he had seen the aircraft circling back and forth across the highway at low altitude, then it went into a left bank and nose dived into the ground. An investigation revealed the aircraft impacted in a near level attitude, but in a steep angle of descent. The fuel tanks were found to be empty. There was no evidence of fuel spillage on the ground, except near the right tip tank. The left and right fuel selectors were found positioned to the right main tank. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Crashed in unknown circumstances near Lehigh Acres while engaged in an illegal flight. There were no casualties.

The aircraft was observed flying over the strip in what appeared to be a normal downwind pattern. It crashed about 300 ft below windy ridge on the northwest face. The autopsy report indicated the pilot had a "patchy healed myocardial infarct" prior to the accident. Microscopic examination supported occlusive coronary arteriosclerosis, left coronary artery. The pilot had been under a stress program & taking medication for high blood pressure.