Date & Time:
Mar 15, 1982 at 2019 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
Operator:
Registration:
N9846Z
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
McAllen - Veracruz
MSN:
AF-397
YOM:
1953
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
1
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
0
Other fatalities:
0
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total hours on type:
614
Aircraft flight hours:
4544
Circumstances:
About 18 minutes after takeoff, the pilot radioed that the n°2 engine had lost power and that he was returning to land at Mcallen. While approaching to land, the aircraft crashed in an open field about 400 yards short of the runway and 115 feet right of the approach lights. During impact, the aircraft was in an inverted attitude, in about a 150 degree right roll and 15 degrees nose down. After impact, an intense fire erupted. An examination of the wreckage revealed no preimpact malfunction or failure except that the right propeller blades were set at 65 degrees. The angle of the blades should have been 86 degrees when in the full feathered position. The aircraft was estimated to be 753 lbs over its maximum gross weight limit at the time of the accident. With the gear down and flaps up, the vmc was calculated to be 92 mph with the propeller windmilling and 87 mph with the propeller feathered.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of engine power
Phase of operation: climb - to cruise
Findings
1. (c) reason for occurrence undetermined
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: approach - VFR pattern - final approach
Findings
2. (f) aircraft weight and balance - exceeded - pilot in command
3. (f) propeller system/accessories,feathering system - undetermined
4. (c) airspeed (VMC) - not maintained - pilot in command
5. Aircraft handling - not possible - pilot in command
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Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Phase of operation: climb - to cruise
Findings
1. (c) reason for occurrence undetermined
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: approach - VFR pattern - final approach
Findings
2. (f) aircraft weight and balance - exceeded - pilot in command
3. (f) propeller system/accessories,feathering system - undetermined
4. (c) airspeed (VMC) - not maintained - pilot in command
5. Aircraft handling - not possible - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Final Report:
N9846Z.pdf88.04 KB
