New York

The flight departed Buffalo under IFR conditions to Jamestown, New York. Several approaches were made to land but due to the weather conditions, the pilot elected to return to Buffalo still under IFR. During initial contact with control tower, the pilot advised them that he was low on fuel and requested direct flight to Buffalo. About 5 miles south-southwest of Buffalo both engines quit and the pilot advised that he was not going to make it. At this time the flight was issued emergency vector to Buffalo, but the aircraft crashed adjacent to route 400 in West Seneca, New York.

The cross country business flight was uneventful from Concord, New Hampshire to white Plains, New York under clear sky. During final approach, the pilot extended the gear but did not notice that the circuit breaker had opened and the gear was not lowered. The aircraft landed gear up and the gear doors partially open. The gear warning horn did not operate. The pilot stated that he failed to check for 3 green lights.

Pilot filed IFR for two flight legs; Baltimore, MD to Teterboro, NJ and Teterboro to Montgomery, NY (Orange County Airport). The pilot received a preflight weather briefing and was advised that the forecast for Stewart, NY, about 10 miles from Montgomery was sky partially obscured 4,000 feet, 500 feet scattered and 4 miles in fog. While enroute to Teterboro, at 0134 hrs, the pilot radioed Stewart airport and was advised of weather there as sky partially obscured with 4 miles in fog and haze. The aircraft landed at Teterboro at 0152 hours and departed VFR at 0200 hours. At 0211 hours the pilot radioed another aircraft and in part stated that he was at Orange County Airport and was attempting to land, however the weather was going down. At 0211 hours the pilot radioed Stewart and was advised that weather there was the same as reported at 0134 hours. The pilot acknowledged. There was no further transmission from the pilot. At 0215 hours a witness near the accident site heard a crash. He reported weather as 400 feet in fog. The aircraft crashed two miles south of runway 03. The landing gear and flaps were down. Examination of the aircraft did not disclose evidence of malfunction. Both occupants were killed.

After a heavy snow shower passed over the airport, the accident aircraft attempted a departure. Immediately after takeoff the pilot transmitted that he was coming back to land. The aircraft crashed shortly thereafter, one mile southwest of the airport. Ground witnesses observed the aircraft use nearly all of the 4,999 feet runway and gradually descend out of sight prior to the crash. A Cessna Conquest had departed the same runway moments prior to the accident aircraft and experienced directional control problems due to slush on the runway and airframe icing on their aircraft. Both pilots were killed.

Prior to takeoff the pilot was informed of wind shear as centerfield winds as 270° at 25 knots gust to 46 knots and northwest boundary winds as 280° at 13 knots. During takeoff the pilot reported an opened door and requested to return to land. The aircraft turned left and descended to the ground. Examination of the aircraft did not disclose evidence of malfunction. Examination of the aircraft doors revealed the right side cargo door securing mechanisms were relatively undamaged. Flight test conducted to evaluate the effects of a opened door disclosed in part the following. The door will open and remain open during rotation; results in noise and vibration; no abnormal flight characteristics; no significant change in multi-engine climb performance. Pilot landing in jet aircraft prior to accident reported moderate turbulence with a plus or minus 10 to 15 knots change in airspeed from 2,000 feet msl to the surface. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

The aircraft crashed in a wooded area after the loss of engine power. The weather was VMC. The pilot made a missed approach after trying to land on runway at Oneonta, at 1838 hrs. Later the pilot radioed that he was unable to 'pick up' the Kring beacon. Boston center vectored the flight to the area of the Kring beacon. The pilot then proceeded to question his position. When boston terminated radar service the pilots answer was unintelligible. No further communications were received from the flight. The wreckage was found about 1/2 mile from the airport. The left full tank selector was found on the left outboard tank. This aircraft is restricted to level flight for use of fuel from the outboard tanks. All five occupants were killed.