Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2B-35 Marquise in San Juan: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 15, 2002 at 1500 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N45BS
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Christiansted - San Juan
MSN:
558
YOM:
1972
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
10583
Captain / Total hours on type:
768.00
Aircraft flight hours:
7236
Circumstances:
The flight departed VFR, and when near the destination airport, was advised by air traffic control to hold VFR over the "plaza" and to make left 360 degree orbits. Several witnesses reported light rain was occurring at the time of the accident; there was no lightning or thunder. One witness located where the airplane came to rest reported observing the airplane emerge from the base of the clouds in a 45-degree left wing low and 20 degrees nose low attitude. He momentarily lost sight of the airplane but then noted it rolled to a wings level attitude. He also reported hearing the engine(s) "cutting in an out." Another witness located approximately 1/4 mile north of the accident site observed the airplane flying eastbound beneath the clouds in a right wing and nose low attitude, he also reported hearing the engine(s) sounding like they were "cutting in and out." A pilot-rated witness located an estimated 1,000 feet from where the airplane came to rest estimated that the ceiling was at 300 feet and there was light drizzle. He observed the airplane in a 45-degree angle of bank to the right and in a slight nose low attitude. He stated that the airplane continued in that attitude before he lost sight of the airplane at 250 feet. The airplane impacted trees then a concrete wall while in a nose and right wing low attitude. The airplane then traveled through automobile hoists/lifts which were covered by corrugated metal, and came to rest adjacent to a building of an automobile facility. Impact and a post crash fire destroyed the airplane, along with a building and several vehicles parked at the facility. Examination of the airplane revealed the flaps were symmetrically retracted and landing gears were retracted. No evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction was noted to the flight controls. Examination of the engines revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction; impact and fire damage precluded testing of several engine accessories from both engines. Examination of the propellers revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. Parallel slash marks were noted in several of the corrugated metal panels that covered the hoists/lifts, the slashes were noted 25 and 21 inches between them. According to the airplane manufacturer, the 25 inch distance between the propeller slashes corresponds to an airspeed of 123 knots. Additionally, the power-off stall speed at the airplanes calculated weight with the flaps retracted and 48 degree angle of bank was calculated to be 122 knots. Review of NTSB plotted radar data revealed that the pilot performed one 360-degree orbit to the left with varying angles of left bank and while flying initially at 1,300 feet, climbing to near 1,500 feet, then descending to approximately 800 feet. The airplane continued in the left turn and between 1502:10 and 1502:27, the calibrated airspeed decreased from 160 to 100 knots. At 1502:27, the bank angle was 48 degrees, and the angle of attack was 26 degrees. Between 1502:30 and 1502:35, the true heading changed indicating a bank to the right. The last plotted altitude was 200 feet, which occurred at 1502:35. A NTSB weather study indicated that at the area and altitude the airplane was operating, NWS VIP level 1 to 2 echoes (light to moderate intensity) were noted. Additionally, the terminal aerodrome forecast (TAF) for the destination airport indicated that temporarily between 1400 and 1800 (the flight departed at approximately 1436 and the accident occurred at approximately 1503), visibility 5 miles with moderate rain showers, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, and a broken ceiling at 3,000 feet.
Probable cause:
The failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed (Vs) while maneuvering following inadvertent encounter with clouds resulting in an inadvertent stall and uncontrolled descent and subsequent in-flight collision with trees, a wall, and a building.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E90 King Air in Reno

Date & Time: Mar 13, 2002 at 1940 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N948CC
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Durango - Truckee
MSN:
LW-236
YOM:
1977
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1610
Captain / Total hours on type:
608.00
Aircraft flight hours:
8773
Circumstances:
During an instrument approach, upon descending to the prescribed minimum descent altitude, about 1/2 mile from the missed approach point, the pilot failed to maintain flying airspeed. The airplane stalled, rolled left, and in an uncontrolled descent collided with a commercial building 0.96 nm from the runway's displaced threshold. The accident occurred during the return portion of a round trip flight, while on final approach to the pilot's alternate airport due to a weather-induced diversion. Moderate intensity snow showers and freezing fog existed. During the initial approach, the reported visibility was 1 1/2 miles. About the time the pilot passed the final approach fix, the visibility decreased to 1/2 mile, but the pilot was not informed of the decrease below his 1-mile minimum requirement. The pilot had maintained the recommended 140-knot approach speed in the icing conditions until about 3 1/2 miles from the runway. Thereafter, the airplane's speed gradually decreased until reaching about 75 knots. After the airplane started vibrating, the pilot increased engine power, but his action was not timely enough to avert stalling. Company mechanics maintained the airplane. On previous occasions overheat conditions had occurred wherein the environmental ducting melted and heat was conducted to the adjacent pneumatic tube that provides deice air to the empennage boots. During the accident investigation, the deice tube was found completely melted closed, thus rendering all of the empennage deice boots dysfunctional.
Probable cause:
The pilot's inadequate approach airspeed for the existing adverse meteorological conditions followed by his delayed remedial action to avert stalling and subsequent loss of airplane control. Contributing factors were the pilot's reduced visibility due to the inclement weather and the icing conditions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Technoavia SM-92G Turbo Finist in Thiene

Date & Time: Feb 3, 2002 at 1630 LT
Registration:
HA-YDG
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Thiene - Thiene
MSN:
00-004
YOM:
1995
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
500
Captain / Total hours on type:
40.00
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane departed Thiene Airstrip at 1540LT for a local flight, carrying nine skydivers, one observer and one pilot. At the altitude of 13,500 feet, seven skydivers jumped while three others decided to stay in the cabin because the visibility was poor due to foggy conditions. While returning to his departure point, the pilot encountered poor visibility and completed two unsuccessful approach. He eventually decided to divert to Asiago Airport located 24 km from his position but this decision was taken too late. While circling around the airport, the engine failed and the aircraft stalled, struck the roof of a house and crashed in Rozzampia, less than one km east of the airfield. All four occupants were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The following contributing factors were identified:
- Weather conditions were marginal with thick fog reducing the visibility to 100 metres,
- Poor flight planning as the pilot failed to refuel the airplane prior to departure and ignored the instability of the weather conditions,
- The pilot's decision to divert to Asiago Airfield was taken too late,
- Poor coordination with the people in place at the Thiene Aerodrome,
- The pilot's inexperience.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 340A in Temple: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 17, 2002 at 1522 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N339S
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
League City – Killeen
MSN:
340A-0712
YOM:
1979
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
3464
Captain / Total hours on type:
10.00
Aircraft flight hours:
5877
Circumstances:
While on an IFR clearance, the pilot reported to approach control that he was unable to maintain 4,000 feet msl, and did not give a reason. Shortly thereafter, the pilot contacted approach control and stated that he had "fuel starvation" in the right engine and the left engine had just quit. Radar data depicted the aircraft at an altitude of 3,400 feet. The controller asked the pilot if they were completely without power, and the pilot responded, "yes, we're now gliding." The controller gave the pilot instructions to the nearest airport, which was approximately 4.5 nautical miles away. After passing 2,100 feet, the pilot informed the controller that he would be landing short. During the forced landing, the airplane struck the top of a tree, crossed over a house, struck another tree, struck a telephone wire which crossed diagonally over a street, and then cleared a set of wires which paralleled the street. The airplane then impacted a private residence within a residential area, and a fire erupted damaging the airplane and the private residence. Ten gallons of fuel were drained from the left locker tank, which supplements the left main fuel tank. Examination of the airframe and engines did not disclose any structural or mechanical anomalies that would have prevented normal operation. Examination of the propeller revealed that neither propeller had been
feathered.
Probable cause:
The pilot's mismanagement of fuel, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing factors were the pilot's failure to follow the checklist to feather the propellers in order to reduce drag.
Final Report:

Crash of an Airbus A300-600 in New York: 265 killed

Date & Time: Nov 12, 2001 at 0916 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N14053
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
New York - Santo Domingo
MSN:
420
YOM:
1988
Flight number:
AA587
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
251
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
265
Captain / Total flying hours:
8050
Captain / Total hours on type:
1723.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4403
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1835
Aircraft flight hours:
37550
Aircraft flight cycles:
14934
Circumstances:
On November 12, 2001, about 0916:15 eastern standard time, American Airlines flight 587, an Airbus Industrie A300-605R, N14053, crashed into a residential area of Belle Harbor, New York, shortly after takeoff from John F. Kennedy International Airport, Jamaica, New York. Flight 587 was a regularly scheduled passenger flight to Las Americas International Airport, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, with 2 flight crewmembers, 7 flight attendants, and 251 passengers aboard the airplane. The airplane's vertical stabilizer and rudder separated in flight and were found in Jamaica Bay, about 1 mile north of the main wreckage site. The airplane's engines subsequently separated in flight and were found several blocks north and east of the main wreckage site. All 260 people aboard the airplane and 5 people on the ground were killed, and the airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. Flight 587 was operating under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 on an instrument flight rules flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.
Probable cause:
The in-flight separation of the vertical stabilizer as a result of the loads beyond ultimate design that were created by the first officer's unnecessary and excessive rudder pedal inputs. Contributing to these rudder pedal inputs were characteristics of the Airbus A300-600 rudder system design and elements of the American Airlines Advanced Aircraft Maneuvering Program.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing 757-223 in Washington DC: 64 killed

Date & Time: Sep 11, 2001 at 0945 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N644AA
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Washington - Los Angeles
MSN:
24602
YOM:
1991
Flight number:
AA077
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
58
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
64
Aircraft flight hours:
33432
Aircraft flight cycles:
11789
Circumstances:
The Boeing 757 departed Washington-Dulles Airport at 0810LT on a regular schedule service to Los Angeles, carrying 58 passengers and a crew of six. Few minutes later, the aircraft was hijacked by terrorists who modified the flight path and flew direct over Washington DC. At 0945LT, the aircraft crashed on the southwest side of the Pentagon building. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 64 occupants were killed. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 are under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Safety Board provided requested technical assistance to the FBI, and this material generated by the NTSB is under the control of the FBI. The Safety Board does not plan to issue a report or open a public docket.
Probable cause:
The Safety Board did not determine the probable cause and does not plan to issue a report or open a public docket. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 are under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Safety Board provided requested technical assistance to the FBI, and any material generated by the NTSB is under the control of the FBI.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing 767-222 in New York: 65 killed

Date & Time: Sep 11, 2001 at 0903 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N612UA
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Boston - Los Angeles
MSN:
21873
YOM:
1983
Flight number:
UA175
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
56
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
65
Aircraft flight hours:
66647
Aircraft flight cycles:
17569
Circumstances:
The Boeing 767 departed Boston-Logan Airport at 0814LT on a regular schedule service to Los Angeles, carrying 56 passengers and a crew of nine. Few minutes later, the aircraft was hijacked by terrorists who modified the flight path and flew direct over New York. At 0903LT, the aircraft struck the South Tower of the World Trade Center, between 78th and 84th floor. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 65 occupants were killed. The tower later collapsed. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 are under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Safety Board provided requested technical assistance to the FBI, and this material generated by the NTSB is under the control of the FBI. The Safety Board does not plan to issue a report or open a public docket.
Probable cause:
The Safety Board did not determine the probable cause and does not plan to issue a report or open a public docket. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 are under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Safety Board provided requested technical assistance to the FBI, and any material generated by the NTSB is under the control of the FBI.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing 767-223ER in New York: 92 killed

Date & Time: Sep 11, 2001 at 0845 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N334AA
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Boston - Los Angeles
MSN:
22332
YOM:
1987
Flight number:
AA011
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
81
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
92
Aircraft flight hours:
58350
Aircraft flight cycles:
11789
Circumstances:
The Boeing 767 departed Boston-Logan at 0759LT on a regular schedule service to Los Angeles, carrying 81 passengers and a crew of 11. Few minutes later, the aircraft was hijacked by terrorists who modified the flight path and flew direct over New York. At 0845LT, the aircraft struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center, between 94th and 99th floor. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 92 occupants were killed. The tower later collapsed. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 are under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Safety Board provided requested technical assistance to the FBI, and this material generated by the NTSB is under the control of the FBI. The Safety Board does not plan to issue a report or open a public docket.
Probable cause:
The Safety Board did not determine the probable cause and does not plan to issue a report or open a public docket. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 are under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Safety Board provided requested technical assistance to the FBI, and any material generated by the NTSB is under the control of the FBI.
Final Report:

Crash of a Embraer EMB-820C Navajo in São Paulo: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 5, 2001 at 2030 LT
Registration:
PT-EHL
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Franca – São Paulo
MSN:
820-048
YOM:
1977
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
2000
Captain / Total hours on type:
600.00
Aircraft flight hours:
5289
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Franca Airport in the evening on a cargo flight to São Paulo, carrying one pilot and bank notes. On a night approach to São Paulo-Congonhas Airport, the pilot cancelled the IFR flight plan when he encountered technical problems with the right engine. He shut down the engine and continued the approach to runway 35R without informing ATC of his situation. Too high on the glide, he apparently decided to initiate a go-around when he lost control of the aircraft that rolled to the left, lost height and crashed in a residential area, bursting into flames. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed. Two people on the ground were injured.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the hydraulic pump on the right engine failed in flight, forcing the pilot to shut the engine down. It was reported that the pilot continued the approach in a single-engine configuration without informing ATC and that the aircraft was too high on the glide and approaching with an excessive speed. The pilot improperly analyzed the aircraft's flight conditions after shutting down the right engine, causing the aircraft to enter an approach configuration that was not compliant with the published procedures.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 501 Citation I/SP in Green Bay: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 2, 2001 at 1628 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N405PC
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Green Bay – Fort Myers
MSN:
501-0150
YOM:
1980
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
4548
Captain / Total hours on type:
245.00
Aircraft flight hours:
5856
Circumstances:
At 1623:41, the pilot requested taxi clearance. The Green Bay (GRB) tower (ATCT) told the pilot to taxi to runway 18. At 1626:47 the pilot said that he was ready for takeoff. The ATCT local controller (LC) told the pilot, "proceed on course, cleared for takeoff". At 1627:33, radar showed the airplane began to accelerate down runway 18. At 1628:17 the LC told the pilot to contact departure control. The pilot responded, "ah papa charlie we have a little problem here we're going to have to come back." The LC asked the pilot, "what approach would you like?" The pilot responded, "like to keep the vis." At 1628:35, the LC asked the pilot, "like the contact approach that what you're saying?" There was no response from the pilot. At 1628:50, GRB radar showed the airplane on a heading of 091 degrees, at an altitude of 855 feet msl (160 feet agl), and at an airspeed of 206 knots. The airplane was 1.28 miles southeast of the airport radar. Radar contact with the airplane was lost at 1628:55. A witness to the accident said, "It was snowing moderately at that time. The road was wet but not slippery. Crossing the intersection of Morning Glory Rd. & Main St., I noted a white private jet flying from the south. It was flying at approximately a 75-80 degree angle perpendicular to the ground with its left wing down & teetering slightly." The witness said, "It then crossed Main Street with the lower wing tip approximately 20 to 30 feet above the power wires. The plane became more perpendicular to the ground at a 90 degree angle with the left wing down & (and) lost altitude crashing into the Morning Glory Dairy warehouse building." An examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies. At 1638, GRB weather was reported as ceilings of 200 feet broken, 800 feet overcast, visibility 1/2 statute mile with snow and fog, temperature 32 degrees F, dew point 32 degrees F, winds 120 degrees at 3 knots, and an altimeter setting of 29.99 inches Hg. Witnesses at the FBO said the pilot arrived to pick up the airplane after 1600. The pilot was briefed by the mechanic as he did his walk around inspection of the airplane. The pilot then
got into the airplane. The airplane was towed out and the tow bar removed. About two minutes later, the engines started. Less than five minutes after the engines started, the airplane taxied. The NTSB Audio Laboratory reviewed radio communications between ATCT and the pilot to determine from the speech evidence the pilot's level of psychological stress and workload. The examination indicated the pilot's speech characteristics were consistent with an increased stress/workload that might accompany a developing emergency. Referring to the pilot's final transmissions, "His unusually long reaction time suggests that he was distracted by competing cockpit priorities and/or was having a difficult time determining his answer, while his fast speech and microphone keying provide further evidence of an urgency to return to other cockpit activities." The report states that the pilot's statements remained rational and showed good word choice and grammar. "These factors, along with the relatively small change in fundamental frequency, suggest that the pilot did not reach an extreme level of stress."
Probable cause:
The pilot not maintaining aircraft control while maneuvering after takeoff and the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparation. Factors relating to the accident were the pilot's diverted attention while maneuvering after takeoff, the pilot's attempted VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, the pilot's visual lookout not being possible, the low ceiling, snow, and fog, the airplane's low altitude, and the building.
Final Report: