Country
code
KS
Crash of a Cessna 340A in Phillipsburg: 2 killed
Date & Time:
Jun 8, 1999 at 1235 LT
Registration:
N1372G
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Palwaukee – Pueblo
MSN:
340A-0071
YOM:
1976
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Aircraft flight hours:
2220
Circumstances:
The flight was executing a precautionary landing at the airport due to a reported fuel transfer problem. Witnesses described hearing engine variances and observed the aircraft roll and impact the ground nose first. There was a post crash fire mainly confined to the right wing area. Inspection of the flight control system, engines, and propellers did not reveal any preexisting anomalies with these systems. The left fuel selector and left fuel pumps passed functional tests. The right fuel selector and right fuel pumps could not be tested due to fire damage.
Probable cause:
The pilot not maintaining flying speed. Factors to the accident were the fuel transfer problem of unknown origin.
Final Report:
Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2B-60 Marquise near Rock: 2 killed
Date & Time:
Nov 4, 1998 at 2058 LT
Registration:
N5LN
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Augusta - Augusta
MSN:
799
YOM:
1980
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total hours on type:
300.00
Copilot / Total hours on type:
420
Aircraft flight hours:
4712
Circumstances:
The airplane's left engine had been overhauled and required an in-flight Negative Torque Sensing (NTS) check. The procedures required that the left engine be shut down during the test flight. The test flight was conducted at night. The pilots were briefed that there was icing and moderate rime icing mixed below 15,000 feet in clouds and precipitation. The cloud bases were between 2,500 to 2,900 feet agl. After departure, the pilot reported to ATC that they were clear and on top of the clouds at about 6,500 feet msl. N5LN was assigned a 180 degree heading at an assigned altitude of 8,000 feet. Without notification to ATC, N5LN turned to a southeast heading, descended from 7,700 feet to about 5,500 feet, and decelerated from about 182 kts to about 138 kts. ATC assigned N5LN a block altitude of 6,000 to 8,000 feet and a VFR-On-Top clearance. ATC instructed N5LN to turn right to stay in the assigned airspace. N5LN turned right but continued to descend from about 5,500 feet to the last radar indication of 4,500 feet. The airplane impacted the ground in a steep attitude. The inspection of the wreckage indicated the landing gear was down, and with full right rudder trim and about six degrees nose up trim. The examination of the engines indicated both engines were rotating and operating at the time of impact. The examination of the airframe and propellers found no pre-existing anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable cause:
The pilot failed to maintain control of the aircraft and made an improper evaluation of the weather. Additional factors were flying a test flight at night with the icing conditions in the clouds.
Final Report:
Crash of a Rockwell Sabreliner 75 near Florence: 2 killed
Date & Time:
Jul 18, 1998 at 1622 LT
Registration:
N547JL
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Newton - Wichita
MSN:
380-69
YOM:
1979
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Copilot / Total hours on type:
14
Aircraft flight hours:
5484
Circumstances:
The pilot dropped off a passenger at Newton Airport before continuing the flight. The passenger, who was a contract pilot for the company, reported there had been no indications of any problem with the airplane. The pilot conducted a low pass followed by a steep climb to 10,000 feet when he departed Newton. Seven minutes later in the flight, the cockpit voice recorder revealed the pilot stating, 'You're going to pitch up now and take it all the way around here.' The pilot said, 'Pitch up, twenty degrees up.' After the pilot called for the nose to be pitched up, he did not make any statements for about 27 seconds. Then the pilot stated, 'Oh, Jim.' Eight seconds later the airplane impacted the ground. Radar data indicated that airplane's altitude about the time the nose was pitched up was 15,900 feet msl, and it impacted the ground about 37 seconds later. All flight control surfaces were found at the impact site. No maneuver in the pilot's manual or the FAA's Commercial test guide required the nose to be pitched up 20 degrees while maintaining 250 knots. The aircraft was certified as a Transport Category aircraft and was not certified for aerobatic flight.
Probable cause:
The pilot's overconfidence in his personal ability, his improper in-flight decision to attempt aerobatics, and his loss of control of the airplane.
Final Report:
