Georgia

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Chattanooga - Fort Payne

MSN:

541

YOM:

1971

Location:

LaFayette

Country:

Region:

Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

6313

Captain / Total hours on type:

260.00

Aircraft flight hours:

3263

Circumstances:

During the weather briefing the pilot was advised that VFR flight was not recommended due to low ceilings and poor visibility. The pilot responded he had to go to Fort Payne VFR because they have no instrument approach. A Jeppesen US (lo) 29 low alt enroute chart was found at the wreckage that had a line drawn traversing southwest out of the Chattanooga VOR between V-115 and V-115e. The MEA for these airways was 4,000 ft msl. Prior to departure the pilot as advised that tops were reported 4,500 ft with another layer at 9,000 ft. The pilot responded he was going to Fort Payne and they had no approach there. Approximately 2-1/2 min after takeoff the pilot reported "...looks like about 1500 is all we're gonna get right now." About 7 min later the pilot reported they were still VFR but might want to turn around. The aircraft impacted the top of a north/south ridge line at an elevation of 2,020 feet. The copilot was part of the company's management team. A passenger was seriously injured while six other occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: cruise
Findings
1. (f) preflight planning/preparation - inaccurate - pilot in command
2. (f) weather condition - haze/smoke
3. (f) weather condition - low ceiling
4. (f) weather evaluation - misjudged - pilot in command
5. (c) flight into known adverse weather - continued - pilot in command
6. (f) company-induced pressure - company/operator management
7. (f) terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
8. (c) proper altitude - not maintained - pilot in command

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Baconton

Date & Time: Apr 5, 1982 at 1615 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Aircraft Service Center

Registration:

N123CB

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Austin - Tifton

MSN:

31-7752161

YOM:

1977

Location:

Baconton

Country:

Region:

Landing (descent or approach)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5344

Captain / Total hours on type:

113.00

Aircraft flight hours:

1611

Circumstances:

As the pilot was descending from 7,000 to 5,000 feet, he heard a loud bang, followed by a temporary vibration and a violent swerve to the right. He looked out the right window and thought the right engine had fallen off since all he could see was the tops of the engine mounts. The aircraft was controllable only after reducing the left engine power to idle. During a wheels up/forced landing, the plane tore through a fence, slid across a paved road, went over an embankment and began burning after it came to rest. The pilot received a back injury and had difficulty egressing. An investigation revealed the propeller hub had failed from fatigue which resulted in blade separation and subsequent engine tearaway. The engine had remained attached to the airframe by cables. Metallurgical examination of the hub revealed that the fatigue originated at a threaded grease fitting. Gouging was visible on the inner wall. A set of incorrect counterweights were found on the propeller. The counterweight's function was to reduce vibration.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: airframe/component/system failure/malfunction
Phase of operation: descent - normal
Findings
1. (f) propeller system/accessories,counterweight - incorrect
2. (f) maintenance,major repair - improper - other maintenance personnel
3. (f) propeller system/accessories - vibration
4. (f) propeller system/accessories,hub - other
5. (f) maintenance - improper - other maintenance personnel
6. (c) propeller system/accessories,hub - fatigue
7. (c) propeller system/accessories,blade - separation
8. (c) engine assembly - separation
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: landing - flare/touchdown
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: landing - flare/touchdown
Findings
9. Wheels up landing - intentional - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #4: on ground/water collision with object
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
10. (f) object - fence
----------
Occurrence #5: on ground/water encounter with terrain/water
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
11. (f) terrain condition - rough/uneven

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 401 in Jesup

Date & Time: Feb 10, 1982 at 1745 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 401

Operator:

Spirit of the South

Registration:

N8299F

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Site:

MSN:

401-0246

YOM:

1969

Location:

Jesup-Wayne County

Country:

Region:

Rockwell Aero Commander 685

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

11104

Captain / Total hours on type:

222.00

Aircraft flight hours:

4800

Circumstances:

After reaching a cruise altitude of 9500 feet the pilot noticed smoke coming out of the left engine cowling. He then proceeded to reduce the left throttle but was unable to move the lever. According to the pilot the fire was extinguished when the left fuel selector was turned off but relit about 3 minutes later. During the emergency descent that followed all electrical power was lost and the copilot was instructed to crank down the landing gear. During landing roll the left gear collapsed as the wing continued to burn. Engine examination revealed that the fuel pressure return line located on the firewall was finger tight. The other fitting was secure and the maintenance manual call for 30-40 inch-pounds of torque on that fitting. The pilot did not follow approved emergency procedures for an inflight wing or engine fire.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: fire
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
1. (c) fuel system,line fitting - loose
2. (c) maintenance - improper - other maintenance personnel
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
Findings
3. (f) emergency procedure - not followed - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: airframe/component/system failure/malfunction
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
Findings
4. (f) electrical system - failure,total
----------
Occurrence #4: gear collapsed
Phase of operation: landing - roll

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 685 in Wrens: 5 killed

Date & Time: Aug 14, 1981 at 1211 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Sugar Mountain Aviation

Registration:

N8007H

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Ocala – Stuart – Beech Mountain

MSN:

685-12048

YOM:

1973

Location:

Wrens

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

12000

Captain / Total hours on type:

330.00

Circumstances:

En route from Stuart to Beech Mountain, North Carolina, while in cruising altitude, the twin engine airplane went out of control. It entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed near Wrens, Georgia. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all five occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled descent and subsequent crash due to inadequate maintenance and supervision. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Powerplant - exhaust system: stacks, poor weld,
- Air condition, heating and pressurization system: loose, part/fitting, leak/leakage,
- PIlot incapacitation due to hypoxia,
- The aircraft did not flew ATC direction,
- Pilot blood concentration level 32%,
- Exhaust riser failed,
- Bleed-air elbow loose.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 404 Titan in St Simons Island

Date & Time: Aug 11, 1981

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 404 Titan

Operator:

Registration:

N2684L

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Illegal (smuggling)

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

404-0610

YOM:

1979

Location:

St Simons Island

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The twin engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in a swampy area located near Frederica River, St Simons Island, Georgia. The wreckage was found partially submerged and the pilot was not found. It is believed the airplane crashed after becoming entangled with a trawler net. Injury index presumed.

Probable cause:

Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 411 in Columbus: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 9, 1981 at 2156 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 411

Operator:

Registration:

N7007R

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Ferry

Survivors:

Site:

City

Schedule:

Ozark - Augusta

MSN:

411-0047

YOM:

1965

Location:

Columbus

Country:

Region:

Landing (descent or approach)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

Circumstances:

While cruising by night on a flight from Ozark, Alabama, to Augusta, Georgia, the pilot lost control of the airplane that entered a dive and crashed in a residential area, bursting into flames. The pilot, sole on board, was killed. There were no casualties on ground.

Probable cause:

Loss of control after unqualified person operated the aircraft. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failure of the electrical system,
- The pilot attempted operation beyond experience/ability level,
- The pilot diverted attention from operation of aircraft,
- The pilot failed to follow approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Battery weak,
- Alternators off during GPU start,
- Emergency gear handle extended, observed without light,
- Dark night.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Claxton

Date & Time: Mar 2, 1981 at 2100 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft D18

Operator:

T. T. Hughes

Registration:

N80162

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Site:

Schedule:

Fort Lauderdale - Claxton

MSN:

A-123

YOM:

1946

Location:

Claxton-Evans County (Clayton)

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

6024

Captain / Total hours on type:

638.00

Circumstances:

On a night approach to Claxton-Evans County (Clayton) Airport, both engines flamed out due to fuel exhaustion. The aircraft lost height and while the pilot was attempting an emergency landing, the airplane struck trees and crashed. Both occupants were seriously injured.

Probable cause:

Double engine failure on final approach and subsequent collision with trees and crash due to inadequate preflight preparation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Fuel exhaustion,
- Failure of both engines,
- Forced landing off airport on land.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft G18S in Atlanta

Date & Time: Dec 13, 1980 at 0601 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft G18S

Operator:

Deral D. Browning

Registration:

N9684R

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Site:

MSN:

BA-500

YOM:

1960

Location:

Atlanta-Fulton County-Brown Field

Country:

Region:

Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2270

Captain / Total hours on type:

262.00

Circumstances:

During a night takeoff from Atlanta-Fulton County- Brown Field Airport, the decision of the pilot to abort the takeoff procedure was taken too late. The airplane overran, struck trees and crashed, bursting into flames. The aircraft was destroyed by fire and the pilot was seriously injured.

Probable cause:

Overrun and subsequent collision with trees on takeoff after the pilot delayed action in aborting takeoff. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Improperly loaded aircraft,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Windshield dirty, vision restricted,
- The aircraft was at least 1,701 lbs over max gross weight,
- CofG 7,6 inches after the CG limits,
- The pilot accumulated 22 flying hours since 35 years layoff,
- Frost on window.

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601P) near Summerville: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 2, 1980 at 1954 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N90463

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Chattanooga – Birmingham

MSN:

61P-0260-050

YOM:

1976

Location:

Summerville

Country:

Region: