Ohio

While turning from downwind to base leg, the aircraft was observed descending rapidly in a steep bank. Witnesses reported smoke was trailing from the aircraft. The aircraft crashed in an industrial area. An exam of the right engine revealed that the exhaust-to-turbo adapter, pn 641829, had fractured and separated. The fracture was a result of thermal fatigue and it had propagated across more than 95% of the area before final separation had occurred. Since an exam of the cowling and both engines showed no streaking heat or smoke patterns, the reported 'smoke' was attributed to exhaust gas. While there was a loss of power in the right engine, no other aircraft malfunctions were found that would have caused loss of control. All six occupants were killed.

When the pilot arrived at the destination airport, there was construction on the runway, about 2500 feet from the approach end. He contacted Unicom and was advised that the runway was closed, but was told he could land on the grass beside the runway. The pilot responded that the grass area was too rough. He stated, 'I think I can land on the runway available, there seems to be enough length there.' Subsequently, the aircraft was observed approaching runway 08 at an estimated 30 feet agl with the gear and flaps down. Reportedly, the power was increased, the nose assumed a climb attitude and the gear was retracted. The aircraft then rolled left, dove to the ground and crashed. An exam of the wreckage revealed no evidence of a preimpact part failure or malfunction. An evaluation of this make and model of aircraft revealed that when the cg approached the aft limit, and the flaps were extended, the aircraft had reduced yaw and roll controllability during power on stalls. The flaps were found full down. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

The purpose of the flight was to prepare for a FAA part 135 air taxi check ride which was scheduled later that week. The aircraft was observed during the approach with one engine shut down. During the turn to final the aircraft crashed half a mile from runway 28. All five occupants were killed.

While descending to Columbus, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity. In clouds, the pilot suffered a spatial disorientation and lost control of the airplane that entered a dive. Due to overload failure, horizontal stabilizers and wings failed and the aircraft crashed in a field, bursting into flames. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

After takeoff from Columbus-Port Columbus Airport, while in initial climb, both engines suffered a partial loss of power. The airplane stalled, entered a spin and crashed in flames. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

On approach to Columbus-Ohio State University Airport, the pilot encountered limited visibility due to fog. On short final, the airplane struck a fence and crashed in flames short of runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was injured.

The pilot was completing a cargo flight from Ypsilanti (Detroit-Willow Run) to Bluffton. On approach by night and poor weather conditions, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed in a field. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.

About 1607 e.d.t., on August 2, 1979, a Cessna Citation piloted by Mr. Thurman L. Munson crashed short of runway 19 at the Akron-Canton Airport near Canton, Ohio. The pilot was practicing touch-and-go landings during a local flight with two passengers aboard. The aircraft first touched down in a relatively level, clear area about 870 feet short of the runway. The aircraft slid through a small clump of trees, hit a large stump, and came to rest on a road adjacent to the airport boundary fence. Fire erupted immediately after the aircraft came to rest. The two passengers escaped from the wreckage; the pilot was killed. Thurman Lee Munson, aged 32, an American Major League Baseball catcher, was killed.

The pilot, sole on board, was completing a ferry flight from Cleveland to Saint Louis. While in normal cruise, he encountered engine problems, informed ATC and was vectored to Dayton-Wilbur Wright Field. On final approach, the airplane was too low, struck power cables and crashed. The pilot was seriously injured.

The pilot, on a cargo flight from Youngstown to Pontiac, decided to make a low pass over his mother's house. By night, the airplane struck tree tops and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed. He was the leader of a formation of three aircraft when the accident occurred.