Crash of a Learjet 25 in Newark: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 30, 1983 at 0514 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N51CA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Chicago - Newark
MSN:
25-030
YOM:
1969
Flight number:
CA27
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
5100
Captain / Total hours on type:
1600.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4112
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1488
Aircraft flight hours:
5750
Circumstances:
The aircraft was on a night check courier flight. During arrival, the indicated airspeed was well above the legal limit of 250 knots for flight below 10,000 feet. Runway 04R was selected for landing after the crew were advised that their original choice (runway 11) was noise sensitive. They were advised not to descend below 2,000 feet until on final approach. The turn to final was completed about one mile from the runway at an altitude of approximately 700 feet. A steep (5°) final approach was flown with an estimated 1,000 fpm rate of descent. On landing, the aircraft bounced, banked/turned to the right, then it hit the ground, right wing first and burned. An exam of the wreckage revealed the aircraft was configured with the gear extended, the flaps down 20° and the spoilers retracted. No evidence of a preimpact part failure or malfunction was found. The trim was set for a heavy right wing and the fuel switches were set to x-feed fuel. Toxicological checks showed that both pilots had used or been exposed to marijuana and had CO2 in their blood from smoking; use of medication (phenylpropanolamine) by copilot. Evidence of possible fatigue/stress to both. Both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
The probable causes of this accident were:
- Loss of control following ground contact,
- An unstabilized approach,
- Impairment of the flightcrew judgment, decision making, and flying abilities by a combination of physiological and psychological factors.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560E in Livingston: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 20, 1982 at 1614 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N3827C
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Blairstown - Teterboro
MSN:
560-0744
YOM:
1959
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
730
Circumstances:
Aero Commander 560E, N3827C (27C) was returning from Blairstown where it had been flown for minor maintenance. The pilot was on an IFR flight plan, cleared by New York tracon to proceed at 2,000 feet msl on a radar vector of 170° for an ILS approach to the Teterboro Airport. The aircraft was equipped with an altitude encoding transponder that was being used. The pilot was advised of numerous targets at his 12 o'clock position. At approximately the same time, Cessna 182Q, N96402 (402), was on a flight from the Kupper Airport to Ramapo Airport. A direct route between these airports would have intersected the nw edge of the New York TCA where positive control began between 1,800 and 7,000 feet msl. The pilot was proceeding VFR with no flight plan and was not in radio communication with any ATC facility. 402 was equipped with a transponder that was operating, but had no altitude encoding capability. As the aircraft converged, 402 was on a northeasterly heading. The planes collided about 1 mile inside the TCA. Then impacted the ground approximately 1,500 feet apart. A map was found in 402 with a line drawn between the airports and intersecting the TCA. All three occupants in both aircraft were killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: midair collision
Phase of operation: approach
Findings
1. (f) air/ground communications - not attained - pilot of other aircraft
2. (f) procedures/directives - not followed - pilot of other aircraft
3. (f) traffic advisory - not obtained - pilot of other aircraft
4. (f) unsafe/hazardous condition - not identified - ATC personnel (dep/apch)
5. (c) visual lookout - inadequate - pilot in command
6. (c) visual lookout - inadequate - pilot of other aircraft
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Lakewood

Date & Time: Aug 13, 1982 at 1800 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N380MA
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Lakewood - Lakewood
MSN:
BA-237
YOM:
1957
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
25000
Captain / Total hours on type:
2000.00
Aircraft flight hours:
11300
Circumstances:
Prior to flight the spark plugs on both engines were replaced due to minor engine vibration and the landing gear retract system wiring repaired due to the gear not retracting electrically on a prior occasion. After takeoff the gear would not retract electrically and the passenger had to crank up the gear manually. After the parachute jump the pilot shut down the left engine to isolate the vibration. He then started the left engine and feathered the right engine. Unable to unfeather the right engine he elected to land with full flaps and gear down after a straight-in approach. As he approached the threshold a Cessna 150 taxied onto the runway. The pilot executed a go-around while trying to retract the flaps and gear electrically without results. The passenger was attempting to retract the gear manually when the aircraft struck a tree. The pilot stated he did not make his landing intentions known on unicom during the approach. No pre-impact discrepancies were found to preclude normal prop operation. Normal elect power is halved with one generation inoperative.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of engine power(total) - non mechanical
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
1. (f) engine assembly - vibration
2. (f) in-flight planning/decision - improper - pilot in command
3. (f) propeller system/accessories,feathering system - undetermined
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: go-around (VFR)
Findings
4. (c) procedures/directives - disregarded - pilot in command
5. (c) radio communications - not used - pilot in command
6. (f) object - aircraft moving on ground
7. (f) aborted landing - performed - pilot in command
8. (f) go-around - initiated - pilot in command
9. (f) electrical system - output low
10. (f) gear retraction - not attained - pilot in command
11. (f) raising of flaps - not attained - pilot in command
12. (f) aircraft performance,engine out capability - deteriorated
13. (f) airspeed (VMC) - not attained - pilot in command
14. Object - tree(s)
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 411 in Vineland: 4 killed

Date & Time: May 9, 1980 at 1453 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N4973T
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Bridgeport – Washington DC – Atlantic City
MSN:
411-0193
YOM:
1966
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
652
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude, one of the engine failed. The pilot lost control of the airplane that stalled and entered a spin. It crashed in a field located near Vineland and exploded on ground. All four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot failed to maintain flying speed,
- Complete failure on one engine,
- Emergency circumstances unknown/not reported.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-61P Aerostar in Teterboro: 3 killed

Date & Time: Nov 16, 1979 at 1215 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N8099J
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Teterboro - State College
MSN:
61P-05917963261
YOM:
1979
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
8300
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from runway 24 at Teterboro Airport, while climbing, one of the engine caught fire after the exhaust pipe separated. The pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed in flames in Carlstadt, less than 1,2 mile from the runway end. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Engine fire or explosion during initial climb after the pilot attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Exhaust system: stacks,
- Fatigue fracture,
- Fire in engine,
- Separation in flight,
- Exhaust pipe assembly part n° 32006-511 failed at flange weld.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 200 in Wildwood: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 12, 1976 at 2326 LT
Registration:
N101AC
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Philadelphia - Atlantic City - Wildwood
MSN:
262
YOM:
1969
Flight number:
AL977
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
7428
Captain / Total hours on type:
5200.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4306
Copilot / Total hours on type:
282
Circumstances:
About 2326LT on December 12, 1976, an Atlantic City Airlines, Inc., De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter (N101AC) operating as Allegheny Commuter Flight 977, crashed about 4,000 feet short of the approach end of runway 19 at Cape May County Airport, New Jersey. The flight was making a VOR approach to runway 23 with a circle to land on runway 19. Of the 10 persons aboard, 4 died of injuries received in the crash. The aircraft was destroyed. About 10 minutes before the accident, according to official observation logs, at Cape May County Airport the sky was obscured with a 400 feet indefinite ceiling; the visibility was 1 mi in fog; and the wind was from 250° at 6 kns. Visibility was 1 mi to the south and west and 1 1/2
mi to the east and north.
Probable cause:
The flight crew's lack of altitude awareness during a circling approach permitting the aircraft's flight path to deviate below a safe approach profile. The aircraft's rate of descent and descent flight path angle increased as a result of windshear encountered during visual approach below minimum descent altitude. The flight crew did not recognize these flight path deviations because they were relying on visual references which were degraded by non-homogeneous fog and on kinesthetic cues which were adversely affected by the aircraft's forward centre of gravity resulting from the improperly loaded aircraft. Contributing to the accident was the lack of company procedures requiring altitude-callouts during the visual portion of an approach.
Final Report:

Crash of a Howard Super Ventura in Egg Harbor: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 1, 1975 at 1032 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N234YU
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Middletown - Atlantic City
MSN:
5283
YOM:
1943
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
2543
Captain / Total hours on type:
965.00
Circumstances:
While descending to Atlantic City-Pomona Airport, the crew completed a 350° turn to join the approach path when control was lost. The airplane stalled and crashed in flames in Egg Harbor, few miles from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
Failed to maintain flying speed on initial approach. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Airframe ice,
- Icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain,
- Crashed in steep nose down attitude during a 350° turn heading change to intercept localizer.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-A80 Queen Air in Brick Township: 6 killed

Date & Time: Apr 16, 1973 at 0424 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N456WM
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Monmouth - Monmouth
MSN:
LD-225
YOM:
1965
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
While cruising at a relative low altitude, the twin engine airplane entered a series of hazardous manoeuvres when control was lost. The airplane crashed near Brick Township and was totally destroyed. All six occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot exceeded the designed stress limits of the aircraft. The following factors were reported:
- Pilot's physical impairment,
- Alcoholic impairment of efficiency and judgment,
- Separation in flight,
- Overload failure,
- Pilot alcohol level 1,05‰ tissue fluid,
- In-flight separation of wings and tail after a series of steep dives and pull-ups.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Newark: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 23, 1972 at 0018 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N107T
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Newark - Providence
MSN:
BA-122
YOM:
1956
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
4850
Captain / Total hours on type:
62.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff, while climbing by night, one of the engine lost power. The twin engine airplane lost height and crashed in flames on a railroad track located near the airport. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control after takeoff due to a loss of power on one engine. The following factors were reported:
- Failure of the exhaust system: external supercharger,
- Material failure,
- The pilot-in-command failed to maintain flying speed,
- The crew failed to follow the approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Partial loss of power on one engine,
- Broken pieces of ball bearings from impeller shaft found in inertia coupling.
Final Report:

Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2-30 Marquise off Atlantic City: 3 killed

Date & Time: Apr 16, 1972 at 1419 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N132MA
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Atlantic City - Philadelphia
MSN:
503
YOM:
1970
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
8000
Captain / Total hours on type:
40.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, the twin engine airplane went out of control, nosed down and crashed into the Atlantic Ocean, few miles offshore. The aircraft was lost and all three occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, there were some fog banks along the shore.
Probable cause:
Loss of control and uncontrolled descent following a bird collision from climb to cruise. The following factors were reported:
- Evidence that geese hit windshield, possibly incapacitating one or both pilots,
- Fog bank along the shore.
Final Report: