Alabama

Schedule:

Dothan - Dothan

MSN:

221

YOM:

1955

Location:

Dothan AFB

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew (two pilots and two engineers) departed Dothan AFB for a local post maintenance test flight. Just after liftoff, the elevators jammed. The aircraft went out of control and crashed. All four occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Elevators jammed on takeoff for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Learjet 35A in Auburn: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 22, 1985 at 1236 LT

Type of aircraft:

Learjet 35

Operator:

Registration:

N873LP

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Auburn-Opelika-Robert G. Pitts (University Regional)

Schedule:

Destin - Auburn

MSN:

35-104

YOM:

1977

Location:

Country:

Region:

Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

8000

Captain / Total hours on type:

1100.00

Aircraft flight hours:

4171

Circumstances:

During arrival, the aircrew of a Gates Learjet 35A, N873LP, canceled their IFR clearance and contacted the Auburn unicom, then entered the traffic pattern to land on runway 18. The unicom operator reported that the Learjet crew had reported their position on each portion of the traffic pattern. At approximately the same time, the pilot of an unregistered, experimental, Challenger II was in the traffic pattern for runway 10. The two runways intersected at their approach ends. Just before landing, the two aircraft collided as they were crossing over the intersection and crashed on the airport. The challenger (a two place version of an ultralight vehicle) was not equipped with a radio and the unicom operator was unaware of its presence in the traffic pattern. The Learjet pilot stated that neither he nor his copilot had seen any other traffic at the airport. No indication was found that either crew had taken evasive action. An exam of the crash site revealed evidence that the collision had occurred approximately 50 feet above the intersection. A pilot on board the Learjet was killed while six other occupants were injured. The pilot of the Challenger II was also killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: midair collision
Phase of operation: approach - vfr pattern - final approach
Findings
1. Control tower - unavailable
2. Radio communications - not possible - pilot of other aircraft
3. (c) visual lookout - inadequate - pilot in command
4. (c) visual lookout - inadequate - pilot of other aircraft
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600) in Eva: 6 killed

Date & Time: Sep 13, 1985 at 1111 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

William D. Champion

Registration:

N680CC

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Lakeland - Huntsville

MSN:

60-0031

YOM:

1970

Location:

Eva

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1993

Captain / Total hours on type:

97.00

Circumstances:

During an IFR arrival/descent, the pilot stated he 'had to feather one engine, I have an oil leak and I'm just trying to descend . . .' he then said he was descending thru 5,300 feet. As he continued the approach, he informed the controller he would be unable to go around since the hydraulic system was powered by the affected right engine. Subsequently, the pilot said he was at 1,500 feet and was having a hard time holding altitude. A witness heard and saw the aircraft in a level attitude at low altitude, then saw the aircraft dive toward the ground. It impacted in a steep descent just short of a long field and burned. The right propeller was feathered, but there was no evidence of oil starvation in either engine. The pilot's neighbor said he (the pilot) was aware of a hydraulic leak, but he was awaiting the annual inspection (due in September) to repair it. An exam revealed the flaps were partially extended, the landing gear control was in the 'up' position, and the gear was down. The flight manual stated that with a hydraulic failure downstream of the accumulator, the flap handle should be in 'neutral' to prevent gear and flap extension. The flap control could not be found. All six occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: airframe/component/system failure/malfunction
Phase of operation: descent - normal
Findings
1. (c) reason for occurrence undetermined
2. (f) fluid - leak
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of engine power (partial) - nonmechanical
Phase of operation: descent - normal
Findings
3. Miscellaneous - intentional
----------
Occurrence #3: forced landing
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
Findings
4. (f) maintenance - inadequate - company/operator management
5. (f) operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed - pilot in command
6. (c) emergency procedure - improper - pilot in command
7. Hydraulic system - pressure too low
8. (f) gear extension - inadvertent
9. (f) lowering of flaps - inadvertent
10. Level off - not possible
----------
Occurrence #4: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
Findings
11. (c) airspeed (vmc) - not maintained - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #5: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18 in Birmingham: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 20, 1985 at 2101 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft E18

Operator:

SmithAir - USA

Registration:

N19T

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Birmingham - Atlanta

MSN:

BA-147

YOM:

1956

Flight number:

ABX74

Location:

Birmingham–Shuttlesworth

Country:

Region:

Convair CV-440 Metropolitan

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

10600

Captain / Total hours on type:

5000.00

Aircraft flight hours:

10936

Circumstances:

At 2045 the military flight, Dixie 06, contacted Birmingham approach and obtained clearance for a low approach followed by a full-stop landing on runway 05. At 2053, Dixie 06 reported a 4 mile final for a low approach to the local controller. At 2054:19, the local controller cleared ABX74, N19T, '...taxi position and hold five.' ABX74 was awaiting takeoff instructions on runway 05 when the collision occurred. Investigation revealed the local controller forgot ABX74. She became preoccupied with other traffic using runway 36. The local controller termed the traffic as busier than normal for a night operation. At the time of the accident, the tower was staffed with two air traffic controllers and an air traffic assistant. No supervisor or coordinator was available in the cab to detect controller overload and offer assistance. The pilot, sole on board, was killed. The military aircraft involved in the collision was a USAF Douglas RF-4C Phantom II registered 64-1032 with two pilots on board. They escaped uninjured.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: on ground/water collision with object
Phase of operation: standing - engine(s) operating
Findings
1. (c) identification of aircraft visually - not performed - atc personnel (lcl/gnd/clnc)
2. (c) diverted attention - atc personnel (lcl/gnd/clnc)
3. (c) visual separation - not maintained - atc personnel (lcl/gnd/clnc)
4. (c) mental performance overload - atc personnel (lcl/gnd/clnc)
5. (c) atc clearance - improper - atc personnel (lcl/gnd/clnc)
6. (c) supervision - inadequate - atc personnel (supervisor)
----------
Occurrence #2: fire
Phase of operation: other

Final Report:

Crash of a Convair CV-440-62 Metropolitan in Jasper

Date & Time: Dec 16, 1984 at 1230 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N44828

Flight Phase:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Jasper-Walker County-Bevill Field

Schedule:

Birmingham - Oxford

MSN:

468

YOM:

1958

Flight number:

UZ953

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3500

Circumstances:

Shortly after climbing and leveling at 6,000 feet, the right engine bmep gage indicated a rapid power loss and the right engine rpm 'increased out of control' to about 3,100 rpm. The aircrew retarded the right throttle and reduced the right engine to 2,100 rpm by using the prop increase/decrease toggle switch. The aircrew were unable to feather the right propeller or maintain altitude, so they diverted to the nearest airport (Walker County). While turning downwind for runway 09, the right engine fire indicator activated and the copilot confirmed a fire. Both fire bottles were discharged and the right propeller stopped rotating. Injection water for the left engine was exhausted and the left engine began backfiring. The captain then maneuvered and landed on runway 27. After touchdown, the right main tires failed, the aircraft veered off the right side of the runway and hit a ditch and the gear collapsed. An exam revealed the #6 cylinder link rod and/or piston in the right engine had failed, resulting in further damage to the engine and #6 cylinder. Subsequently, fire and heat caused the right engine to seize and also damaged the right main tires which failed at touchdown. All 39 occupants were evacuated, among them two passengers were seriously injured.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of engine power
Phase of operation: cruise
Findings
1. (f) engine assembly, connecting rod - failure, total
2. (f) engine assembly, piston - failure, total
3. (c) engine assembly - failure, total
4. (f) propeller feathering - not possible
----------
Occurrence #2: fire
Phase of operation: cruise
Findings
5. (c) engine assembly - fire
6. Fire extinguishing equipment - selected
7. (f) landing gear, tire - overtemperature
----------
Occurrence #3: forced landing
Phase of operation: landing
Findings
8. Fluid, adi fluid - exhaustion
----------
Occurrence #4: loss of control - on ground/water
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
9. (c) landing gear, tire - failure, total
10. (f) directional control - not possible
11. (f) ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled
----------
Occurrence #5: on ground/water encounter with terrain/water
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
12. (f) terrain condition - ditch
13. Landing gear - overload

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402C in Albertville: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 31, 1984 at 0810 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 402

Operator:

Peterson Industries

Registration:

N55LP

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Albertville-Thomas J. Brumlik

Schedule:

Decatur - Albertville

MSN:

402C-0102

YOM:

1979

Location:

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:

7500

Captain / Total hours on type:

400.00

Aircraft flight hours:

5319

Circumstances:

Pilot was executing an non-directional beacon approach to runway 23. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. Radar information obtained during the investigation revealed the pilot did not stabilize the airspeed while executing the approach. Witnesses near the accident site indicated they had heard a low flying aircraft at the approximate time of the accident. The wreckage path revealed a gradual descent swath in the trees which terminated with ground impact. Witnesses near the airport stated that the airport was obscured by fog. Both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
Findings
1. (f) weather condition - fog
2. (f) not performed - pilot in command
3. (c) overconfidence in personal ability - pilot in command
4. (c) minimum descent altitude - exceeded - pilot in command
5. (c) clearance - not maintained - pilot in command
6. (c) decision height - disregarded - pilot in command
7. (c) airspeed - uncontrolled - pilot in command
8. (c) ifr procedure - not followed - pilot in command
9. (c) in-flight planning/decision - poor - pilot in command

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II in Cullman: 6 killed

Date & Time: Mar 5, 1984 at 1836 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N3291Q

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Montgomery - Cullman

MSN:

421B-0911

YOM:

1975

Location:

Cullman

Country:

Region:

Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3423

Captain / Total hours on type:

1599.00

Aircraft flight hours:

2478

Circumstances:

Pilot cleared for night NDB runway 19 approach to Folsom Field. Erratic radar track during procedure turn and inbound intercept. Witnesses described 200 feet ceiling and reduced visibility in fog at airport. Other witnesses observed aircraft on northbound course, followed by turn to west at rooftop height, well below MDA, at a point one mile northeast of airport. Engine operation sounded normal. Aircraft contacted trees at about airport elevation, one mile north of airport. Wreckage produced 632 feet path. Severed limbs, prop damage and engine examination revealed evidence of power at impact. 62 year old pilot had not flown with cfi in years, instrument currency unknown. Pilot found to have severe coronary atherosclerosis with near total occlusion of right coronary artery and evidence of past total occlusion of left circumflex coronary artery. Ceiling lower than forecast for area. Flight purpose to carry employees to meet truck, go job site. Limitation on pilot medical certificate, not for night flight. Sunset at 1745 cst, 51 minutes before accident. All six occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: in flight collision with object
Phase of operation: approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (IFR)
Findings
1. (f) weather condition - low ceiling
2. (f) weather condition - fog
3. (f) light condition - dark night
4. (f) object - tree(s)
5. (c) IFR procedure - not followed - pilot in command
6. (c) visual/aural perception - pilot in command
7. (c) minimum descent altitude - not maintained - pilot in command
8. (c) lack of recent instrument time - pilot in command
9. (c) missed approach - not performed - pilot in command
10. (c) physical impairment - pilot in command

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600) in Florala

Date & Time: Aug 29, 1983 at 1500 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Wayland E. Tyner

Registration:

N139TS

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Florala – Crestview

MSN:

60-0139-059

YOM:

1973

Location:

Florala

Country:

Region:

Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4616

Captain / Total hours on type:

430.00

Aircraft flight hours:

1400

Circumstances:

The pilot stated that during takeoff roll he experienced a power surge but the engine did not quit. He aborted the takeoff by reducing power on both engines and applying brakes. This resulted in the aircraft swerving off the right side of the runway, rolling thru the grass and striking a culvert which separated the landing gear. Wreckage examination revealed: both throttles at idle, mixture and prop controls were full forward and full rich and high rpm on respective engine controls. All cables attaching hardware was intact.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of control - on ground/water
Phase of operation: takeoff - roll/run
Findings
1. (c) directional control - not maintained - pilot in command
2. (f) ground loop/swerve - inadvertent - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: on ground/water encounter with terrain/water
Phase of operation: takeoff - roll/run
Findings
3. (f) terrain condition - rough/uneven
----------
Occurrence #3: main gear collapsed
Phase of operation: takeoff - roll/run

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I in Atmore: 8 killed

Date & Time: Jun 21, 1983 at 2331 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Odom Flying Service

Registration:

N2960Q

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Pensacola - Saint Louis

MSN:

421A-0060

YOM:

1968

Location:

Atmore

Country:

Region: