Montana

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Billings – Miles City

MSN:

690-11133

YOM:

1973

Location:

Miles City

Country:

Region:

Cessna 421C Golden Eagle III

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2398

Captain / Total hours on type:

45.00

Aircraft flight hours:

6216

Circumstances:

The pilot of the nonscheduled domestic passenger air taxi flight was flying the VOR/DME runway 22 approach to Wiley Field, Miles City, MT. The pilot said he turned on the autopilot and after turning inbound from the procedure turn towards the faf he engaged the approach mode. After crossing the faf the pilot descended to MDA and engaged the altitude hold mode. When he reached the map the pilot started to make a missed approach but a passenger, seated next to him in the copilot's seat, reported the runway in sight. The pilot said he saw the runway and retarded the throttles in order to descend for landing. The aircraft nose pitched up abruptly, the aircraft stalled, and mushed to the ground. The aircraft hit hard and skidded off the runway. Two occupants were injured and four others escaped uninjured.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: abrupt maneuver
Phase of operation: approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
Findings
1. Weather condition - low ceiling
2. (c) autopilot - improper use of - pilot in command
3. Weather condition - obscuration
4. (c) throttle/power control - reduced - pilot in command
5. Weather condition - fog
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
Findings
6. (c) stall/mush - inadvertent - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Findings
7. Terrain condition - runway

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421C Golden Eagle III in Butte: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 6, 1986 at 0436 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N421AR

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Helena - Butte

MSN:

421C-0254

YOM:

1977

Location:

Butte

Country:

Region:

Swearingen SA226AT Merlin IV

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4000

Aircraft flight hours:

2890

Circumstances:

Pilot was attempting the VOR-B instrument approach to Butte, MT Airport. Pilot reported over the Coppertown vortac inbound on the airport. The procedure turn inbound course to the vortac is 124°. The inbound course to the airport is 094°. The aircraft wreckage was found on the 124° radial 5 miles southwest of the airport. The wind was reported to be 340° at 9 knots. The VOR-B approach terminates at runway 11. Runway 33 is 9,000 feet long and equipped with mirl's and reil's. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: in flight encounter with weather
Phase of operation: approach
Findings
1. (f) weather condition - low ceiling
2. (c) in-flight planning/decision - poor - pilot in command
3. (f) weather condition - snow
4. (c) ifr procedure - not followed - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: approach
Findings
5. (f) terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
6. (c) altitude - improper - pilot in command
7. (c) clearance - not possible - pilot in command
8. (f) visual/aural perception - pilot in command

Final Report:

Crash of a Swearingen SA226AT Merlin IV in Billings: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 7, 1986 at 2345 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Barckley Airlines

Registration:

N577KA

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Helena - Billings

MSN:

AT-008

YOM:

1972

Location:

Billings

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

2950

Circumstances:

While on an IFR flight plan in IMC, the pilot executed a missed approach after flying a localizer back course 27 approach. During a subsequent ILS runway 09L approach, radio and radar contact with the aircraft were lost. The aircraft wreckage was located on the inbound approach course 1/2 mile east of the Saige locator outer marker. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post impact fire. The autopsy and medical history of the pilot led to a conclusion that he was incapacitated at the time of impact. The pilots flight time was not reported and his logs were not located. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
Findings
1. (c) physical impairment (other cardiovascular) - pilot in command

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 414 Chancellor in Billings: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 24, 1985 at 1452 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 414 Chancellor

Operator:

Registration:

N333AA

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Test

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Billings - Billings

MSN:

414-0476

YOM:

1974

Location:

Billings-Logan

Country:

Region:

Consolidated PBY Catalina

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

19633

Captain / Total hours on type:

1000.00

Aircraft flight hours:

3433

Circumstances:

The pilot was making a short (35 minutes) local flight to 'check N333AA over' before turning it over to its new owner. The aircraft collided with the ground in a steep descent, wings level, attitude during an entry into the traffic pattern at Billings, Montana. VMC prevailed at the time. Witnesses said the engines were operating and there was no apparent attempt by the pilot to avoid the crash. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: approach
Findings
1. (c) altitude - not maintained - pilot in command
2. (c) incapacitation - pilot in command

Final Report:

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina in Lewistown: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 9, 1985 at 0844 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Diversified Drilling Muds

Registration:

N84857

Flight Phase:

Taxiing

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Lewistown - Reno

MSN:

1522

YOM:

1944

Location:

Lewistown

Country:

Region:

Rockwell Aero Commander 500

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

6838

Captain / Total hours on type:

19.00

Aircraft flight hours:

1481

Circumstances:

During taxi to takeoff the brakes failed. The pilot attempted to ground loop the aircraft. The aircraft rolled down a hill and collided with a gully. The pilot was fatally injured. During preflight the copilot inadvertently added hydraulic fluid in the alcohol tank. The hydraulic pump cavitated. The pilot failed to use the hydraulic emergency hand pump or the a.c. Electric pump.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: miscellaneous/other
Phase of operation: standing - pre-flight
Findings
1. (f) fluid, hydraulic - inadequate
2. (c) aircraft preflight - inadequate - pilot in command
3. (f) acft/equip inadequate, visual restriction - copilot/second pilot
4. (f) hydraulic system, reservoir - low level
5. (c) aircraft service - improper - copilot/second pilot
6. (f) window, inspection/observation - blocked (partial)
7. (f) crew/group coordination - poor - pilot in command
8. (f) anti-ice/deice system, propeller - unmarked
9. (c) supervision - poor - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: airframe/component/system failure/malfunction
Phase of operation: taxi - to takeoff
Findings
10. Hydraulic system, pump - failure, total
11. Brakes (normal) - selected - pilot in command
12. (c) hydraulic system - pressure too low
13. (c) brakes (emergency) - not used - pilot in command
14. (c) safety system (other) - not engaged
15. (c) emergency procedure - not followed - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: loss of control - on ground/water
Phase of operation: taxi - to takeoff
Findings
16. Ground loop/swerve - attempted - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #4: on ground/water encounter with terrain/water
Phase of operation: other
Findings
17. Terrain condition - ditch

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500B in Miles City

Date & Time: Mar 31, 1984 at 0203 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N743W

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Billings - Miles City

MSN:

500-1297-112

YOM:

1963

Location:

Miles City

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2750

Captain / Total hours on type:

394.00

Aircraft flight hours:

13453

Circumstances:

The pilot said that when he called on the radio prior to the approach for an altimeter setting the reply was '30.11 or 30.12, something like that.' The aircraft altimeter was found after the accident set at 30.22 inches of mercury. The visibility was described as 1 and 1/2 miles in snow showers. He continued the approach 'because minimums are one mile.' He descended outbound to 4,500 feet. Minimum procedure turn alt is 4,700 feet msl. The pilot then descended to 3,700 feet msl as he approached the VOR. Power was reduced to 17-18 inches of manifold pressure and airspeed reduced to 120 knots. As the VOR was crossed he glanced at the altimeter and 'the hands were in the two o'clock position.' Landing gear was extended and approach flaps set. The pilot said all seemed normal. He looked out the window and saw 'wispy clouds going by rapidly. Then there were the sounds of impact.' The next thing remembered was the sound of dripping gasoline. The pilot said he crawled out of the cockpit window and wandered 'for a couple hours trying to chase down the searchlights.'

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (IFR)
Findings
1. (f) terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
2. (c) altimeter setting - improper - pilot in command
3. (f) weather condition - low ceiling
4. (c) ifr procedure - improper - pilot in command
5. (f) weather condition - obscuration
6. (c) proper altitude - below - pilot in command
7. (f) light condition - dark night
8. (c) minimum descent altitude - not maintained - pilot in command

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65 Queen Air near Sula: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 17, 1980 at 1425 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft 65 Queen Air

Operator:

Michael C. Joseph

Registration:

N35CS

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Yuba City – Challis – Missoula

MSN:

LC-141

YOM:

1962

Location:

Sula

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2600

Captain / Total hours on type:

31.00

Circumstances:

While cruising at low altitude in poor weather conditions over a mountainous area, the twin engine airplane struck the slope of a mountain near Sula, Montana. The aircraft was destroyed by a post impact fire and all three occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Collision with trees in normal cruise after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Snow,
- Witnesses reported low altitude flight through pass in mountainous terrain.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 441 Conquest II in Butte: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 1, 1980 at 1842 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 441 Conquest

Operator:

Registration:

N36941

Flight Phase:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Forsyth - Butte

MSN:

441-0018

YOM:

1977

Location:

Butte

Country:

Region:

Rockwell Aero Commander 500

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

13826

Captain / Total hours on type:

68.00

Circumstances:

On approach to Butte-Bert Mooney Airport, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions and decided to initiate a go-around and to divert to another airport. At low height, the twin engine airplane struck a hill and crashed 11 miles south of the airport. Both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Controlled collision with ground during a missed approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Snow.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500B in Great Falls: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 6, 1978 at 0251 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N6112X

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Helena - Great Falls

MSN:

500-963-18

YOM:

1960

Location:

Great Falls

Country:

Region: