Takeoff (climb)

The airline transport pilot reported that shortly after takeoff from runway 36, he heard a loud noise from the left engine area, and observed smoke trailing the left engine nacelle. He confirmed that the left engine was losing power, and he feathered the left propeller. He was unable to maintain altitude, and the aircraft was force landed on wooded terrain. The aircraft caught fire on the ground after colliding with trees and was destroyed. An inspection of the left engine turbocharger revealed that the rotor shaft was seized, with evidence of metal transfer to the bearing journals.

The pilot was conducting his initial revenue and solo flight for this company, in this type of airplane. The weather for takeoff included fog and low ceilings. The airplane was equipped with a primary (left) attitude indicator which was electrically operated via an independent switch. This aircraft was the only such airplane operated by this company, with an independent switch configuration for the primary attitude indicator. The airplane collided with the terrain on the airport, just after takeoff. Subsequent examination revealed no anomalies with the engines or airframe. The primary attitude indicator was located. On examination it was found to have a malfunctioning on/off flag which gave the indication of being operative regardless of power to the unit. No rotational damage was noted within the gyro housing. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

The crew departed Cologne-Bonn Airport on a training flight (check flight) to Nuremberg. During the takeoff roll, at or near V2 speed, the aircraft deviated to the left and veered off runway. It rolled beside the runway for about 600 metres then returned on the runway. It took off but overturned and crashed upside down, bursting into flames. All four occupants were killed.

The twin engine aircraft departed Hassai Airstrip on a charter flight to Port Sudan, carrying nine employees of the Ariab Mining Company and two pilots. Shortly after takeoff, the right engine lost power and failed. The crew elected to return for an emergency but eventually attempted an emergency landing. The aircraft belly landed and slid for few dozen metres when the right wing struck a rock and was torn off, causing the fuel to spill and to ignite. The aircraft caught fire and came to rest, bursting into flames. All 11 occupants were killed.

Shortly after takeoff from Pastaza Airport, while climbing to a height of 200 feet, the engine lost power. The crew elected to return for an emergency landing when the aircraft stalled and crashed in a cemetery. One of the pilot was killed while 10 other occupants were injured, some seriously.

The pilot was conducting a scheduled passenger service flight from Port Augusta with a stop at Innamincka. A commercial pilot, travelling as a non-paying passenger, occupied the co-pilot's seat to observe the operation. Two additional passengers were on board the aircraft for the entire flight. After landing at Innamincka, the aircraft was refuelled by the pilot in command and the oil levels of both engines were checked by the observer, who experienced difficulty securing the combination oil filler cap-dipsticks. He asked the pilot for instructions and, although some advice was given, the pilot did not check the security of the dipsticks. Take-off was commenced towards the north into a 10-15 knot wind with a surface temperature of about 20 degrees C. Shortly after lift-off, at the first power reduction, the observer in the co-pilot's seat advised that there was oil seeping back along the cowl from the right side oil filler hatch. The pilot reported that he increased power to both engines but believed there was no response from the right. He began an immediate left turn to complete a circuit and attempted to secure the right engine and feather the propeller. The aircraft then began a roll to the right, the nose dropped and the aircraft impacted the ground. As the aircraft rolled right and the nose dropped, the pilot reported that he had secured the left engine and feathered the propeller. The observer in the co-pilot seat reported hearing a continuous stall warning horn as the right wing began to drop. All occupants, although injured, were able to vacate the aircraft through the main cabin door. The pilot provided assistance to the passengers and then returned to the airport to summon help.

The single engine aircraft was engaged in a post maintenance test flight, carrying one engineer and two pilots. Shortly after takeoff from Villeneuve Airport, while in initial climb, the aircraft started to pitch up and down then lost height and crashed. The passenger was seriously injured while both pilots were killed, among them Billy Bourque, owner of Loon Air.

During the takeoff roll, after a roll of 200 metres, while at a speed of 80 km/h, the aircraft encountered strong crosswinds and turned for about 30°. The pilot-in-command decided to abort the takeoff procedure when the aircraft struck an earth mound and came to rest. There were no casualties.

During the takeoff roll at Tortola-Terrance B. Lettsome Airport, the pilot-in-command considered the aircraft behaviour as unsatisfactory and decided to abort. Despite an emergency braking procedure, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran and came to rest in the sea. All 30 occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Approximately 7 minutes after takeoff, the airplane collided with terrain approximately 3 miles from the departure airport. The accident site was 1,100 feet msl; the highest terrain in the area is 1,400 feet msl. The departure airport elevation is 643 feet msl. According to witnesses, the airplane disappeared into clouds at approximately 200 feet following takeoff, and that the hills to the southeast were obscured by clouds. The pilot had about 4 hours sleep the night before the accident flight. Both occupants were killed.