Kentucky

The airplane was cruising at 16,500 feet at night when radar and radio contact were lost. The pilot made no distress radio calls. Recorded radar data showed the airplane in a left descending turn. Other airplanes were deviating around weather in the area. Ground witnesses heard the airplane prior to impact and reported rain. The pilot started flying lessons in march and received his multi-engine rating in june. He had a total of 142 hours flight time, with 25 hours in this make and model airplane and 9 hours total night time. The pilot was not instrument rated.

The pilot had just leveled at 4,000 feet when the right engine lost power. He immediately turned back toward his departure field but could not maintain altitude with the remaining engine. He then elected to make a gear up landing in an open field. On touchdown, the aircraft sustained substantial damage as it came to a stop in the grassy field. The pilot and passenger exited through the forward doors without further incident. Both occupants escaped uninjured.

The pilot, a company check airman, and an FAA inspector were on board the aircraft for a checkride which was intended to reassess the pilot's competency. A maintenance test (aileron rigging) was to be performed in conjunction with the check ride. The first maneuver to be performed was a no-flap landing. All three pilots stated that the pilot had difficulty managing the aircraft while in the traffic pattern; airspeeds were too slow, and the pilot was constantly manipulating power. The pilot never called for the before landing checklist, and the aircraft touched down on the runway with the landing gear up. The check pilot stated that the landing gear warning horn came on briefly, but the pilot added power and silenced the horn. The FAA inspector was seated in a passenger seat for takeoff and landing, and was not aware that the landing gear was not extended.

During arrival, the flight was issued the current Paducah altimeter setting. The pilot requested vectors for an approach to runway 18, but the ARTCC controller (ctlr) could not accommodate the request. The pilot was cleared for a VOR/DME-a approach. MDA for the approach was 1,080 feet msl (600 feet agl). At 2108 cdt, the flight changed to the FBO frequency. FBO personnel observed the aircraft fly over the airport and advised that it was too low. One of the pilots replied that they would be 'staying under the clouds.' The pilots had planned to land on runway 36, but reported they lost sight of the runway and would change to runway 18. Subsequently, the aircraft collided with a tree about 1 mile north-northeast of the airport, while on a westerly heading (approximately position of base leg for a VFR pattern). The aircraft came to rest about 700 feet west of the tree and was destroyed by impact and fire. No preimpact part failure/malfunction of the aircraft was found. Approximately 30 miles west at Paducah, the weather was in part: 200 feet scattered, 900 feet overcast visibility 3 miles with rain and fog, wind from 360° at 7 knots. The airport manager estimated there was a 200 feet ceiling at the airport. All six occupants were killed.

N3281T was attempting an instrument departure when it crashed left of the extended centerline of runway 18. The flight was observed climbing through 200 feet prior to descending to the ground. Prior to taxiing to takeoff the pilot failed to deice the airframe. Airplanes on the parking ramp around N3281T deiced prior to takeoff. Weather reports indicated that temp/dew point were 26 and 23° respectively. The surface observation also reported fog as a restriction to visibility. According to the airplane's handbook that tests prove that a coat of frost on a wing can destroy its lift. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

During a return flight at night to Decatur, AL, the pilot noted his weather radar was inoperative. He visually avoided thunderstorms (tstms), which had been forecasted. While avoiding tstms, he noted a reduction in engine power, a slight yaw, indications of fuel flow irregularity and that the left and right boost pumps were inoperative. These occurred at about the time, he saw a white arc which he said had jumped from the prop, spinner or nacelle area to the aircraft's nose. Due to the weather, he elected to divert to Paducah. After the airport was in sight, he needed to lose altitude before landing and was cleared to make a 360° turn. While turning, he lost sight of the airport, then rolled out on the wrong heading and started flying toward a strobe light at an industrial complex. When he realized his error and saw the airport, he turned toward the runway; but as he was maneuvering, the aircraft lost altitude, hit trees and crashed. An examination of the engines and fuel pumps revealed no indication of a preimpact failure. No physical evidence of a lightning strike was found, but the nose and engines were badly damaged from impact.

The pilot was repositioning the airplane from an on-demand air taxi freight flight. He was en route from Rochester, NY to Huntsville, AL with a planned refuel stop at Louisville, KY. Near Falmouth, KY he changed his destination to Lexington 'due to a developing engine problem'. He saw the airport at Cynthiana and elected to land there. While on downwind, he noted the left engine cowling turning black and on base noted flames from the left engine. He reptd shutting the engine down and feathering the propeller but did not activate the fire extinguisher. During the landing roll, the airplane departed the runway to the right, and collided with the airport wind 't', a pole and a 't' hangar. Post accident investigation revealed that the left prop was not feathered and the fuel was not shut off. The left brake was ineffective due to fire damage. The evidence indicated that the fire began in the vicinity of the left engine accessory section. The specific fuel source of the fire was not identified.

While en route at FL370, the pilots declared an emergency, reported a fire in the right engine and requested vectors to the nearest suitable airport. They were vectored toward the Lexington-Blue Grass Airport and circled to descend. Shortly after declaring an emergency, the pilots reported they secured the right engine and extinguished the fire light. As the aircraft was on final approach to land, the local controller (using binoculars) confirmed that both the gear and flaps were extended. However, as the aircraft continued onto a short final approach, an increase in its pitch attitude was noted. It then dropped below the level of the runway threshold and impacted in a pasture short of the runway. After initial impact, the aircraft went thru a stone fence, hit 2 utility poles, crossed a highway, came to rest at the perimeter fence and burned. An auto was damaged by debris; 2 occupants received minor injuries. An investigation revealed the aircraft impacted with the gear extended, but the flaps and flap handle were found in the up position. An examination of the right engine revealed its outer exhaust cone was cracked in the vicinity of a fire detection loop. No other preexisting mechanical problems were evident. Both pilots were killed and both passengers were seriously injured.

The aircraft struck a 2-feet high Avgas pump while the pilot was taxiing around another aircraft that was parked. The nose gear collapsed and a small fire resulted. The pilot and passenger evacuated the aircraft. Line personnel were unable to extinguish the fire with hand-held extinguishers. The aircraft was subsequently engulfed by the fire and was destroyed. A large dry chemical fire extinguisher was located next to the pump at the time, but line personnel were unable to get to it due to the fire. The black top around the pump had recently been resurfaced and no safety markings, lights or barricades were in place around the pump (except for the large fire extinguisher). The pump was originally located next to the ramp edge, but subsequent expansion of the ramp left the pump surrounded by pavement.

After landing at Fort Campbell AFB, the crew encountered technical problems and the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran and came to rest few dozen yards further. Two crew members were seriously injured while three others were killed.