Pennsylvania

The pilot departed on a local VFR flight at 1117. At 1154 he contacted Erie tower for landing. He then advised the tower at 1159 that he had feathered the right engine. One minute later he reported that the left engine was '...kicking out.' The aircraft stalled into a house 6 miles from the airport, and just short of the shoreline of Lake Erie. No fuel was found in the right wing. 7 gallons were drained from the left wing; no fuel was found in the left engine. Right fuel quantity c/b secured in out position by wire tie; several burned components found on back of right fuel quantity gage pc board. Most recent record of fuel purchase which could be found was for May 25, 1989. A pocket diary was found in the wreckage which contained entries of flight times and fuel quantity notations. The accident occurred at 155 Euclide Avenue, Erie, about six miles east of runway 24 threshold. Both occupants were killed.
Pilot:
Floyd E. Smith.
Passenger:
Elwood Graham.

The aircraft made a hard landing, ran off the right side of the runway and collided with the terrain. Subsequently, the plane erupted in flames and was destroyed, but the pilot and passengers were not injured.

Before takeoff, the crew indicated the flight would be for 'check rides' and that they planned to 'shoot approaches' and proceed to the practice area to do some airwork. ATC advised the pilots that the cloud bases were at 3,500 feet msl. Elevation of the terrain (where the aircraft subsequently crashed) was 1,225 feet. Prior to the accident, witnesses saw the aircraft circling in a steep turn at low altitude. One witness reported it was circling as if to land. Subsequently, it impacted in a steep nose down, slight left wing low, attitude. Several witnesses reported that one or both engines sputtered before the aircraft crashed; however, an exam of the engines revealed no indication of a preimpact malfunction or failure. An exam of the airframe revealed the landing gear was in the extended position when the aircraft crashed. Exam of the props indicated that both engines were producing an equal amount of power. The airwork to be completed included steep turns, stalls, and flight at minimum control airspeed. Both occupants were killed.

Evidence indicates that the airplane flew straight into the side of a 1,320 feet mountain at the 1,280 feet level. The recommended minimum flight altitude for this designated mountainous area, at night, is 3,500 feet. There was no evidence of any mechanical problems. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Aircraft entered an area of forecast moderate icing. Ice detection system had been intermittently inoperative. The aircraft entered holding in icing conditions while checking flight inspection equipment. Evidence indicated crew noted ice accretion, activated surface de-ice system, ice broke loose and entered engine intakes. Both engines flamed out. During emergency descent crew initially re-starts, but neither engine would sustain power. Crew requested vectors to more distant airport. Both pilots were seen drinking previous night. Copilot had recently lost drivers license for dui. Captain had decided to retire that day. Copilot had worked in flight ops 3 days in 8 weeks and had limited training in flight inspection. Both pilots had personal stresses which may have influenced performance. Captain's contaminated thoracic blood revealed 0.057% alcohol. Putrefaction would accentuated for part of alcohol level. Copilot had trace alcohol in urine only. Both engines showed compressor fod consistent with ice ingestion. No other aircraft system or engine malfunction found.

The copilot (dual student) was to get a prof check on the 1st leg of the flight with a simulated single engine power loss on takeoff. According to witnesses, the takeoff was normal until lift off approximately 3,200 feet down the runway; but after lift-off, the aircraft climbed only about 50 feet and didn't seem to accelerate. They reported the nose pitched up and the aircraft went in a steep bank attitude near the departure end of the runway. Subsequently, it descended and crashed in wooded terrain in a right wing down, nose high attitude. A bystander tried to get in the aircraft to rescue the pilots, but the door was jammed and he was unable to break the cabin windows. A fire erupted and engulfed the aircraft. Due to rough terrain, there was a delay in getting fire fighting equipment to the accident site. No preimpact mechanical failures were found. The gear, flaps and spoilers were found in the retracted position. For takeoff, the flaps should have been extended to the 8° or 20° position. The stall speeds for 20°, 8° and no flaps were 104.5, 109.0 and 119.5 knots, respectively. The captain was an FAA designated flight examiner and a certified flight instructor (cfi).

Reason for the Cessna to veer in a semi-circle and collide with another aircraft is undetermined. Examination of the start lock assemblies could not be completed due to the extensive impact and fire damage. The aircraft was being prepared for a flight. During a manual speed governor check on the left engine the aircraft veered in a semi-circle. An attempt to examine the aircraft start locks was negated by the fire damage from the collision. Both occupants escaped uninjured.

While parked at Erie Airport, the BAe Jetstream 31 was hit by a private Cessna 441 registered N117EA. Both aircraft caught fire and were destroyed. There were no casualties.

The aircraft suffered a right landing gear leg breakage due to a fracture in the area where the fork assembly separated during landing roll. The pilot, sole on board, was uninjured.

At 2232 edt, the aircraft was climbing to 15,000 feet when the pilot reported a low oil pressure light. ATC advised Jimmy Stewart Field is about eleven thirty and 15 miles. After the pilot asked, 'is that a Tower Field?', ATC advised he did not know, Westmoreland County is at two o'clock and about 15 miles, turn right 180°, descend and maintain 4,000 feet. At 2233 edt, ATC said that they believe Westmoreland County Tower is closed down. The pilot said that he was thinking of where he should go and ATC advised Pittsburgh's 35 miles away if you can make that. At 2234:35 edt, the aircraft was returning to Pittsburgh when the pilot reported zero oil pressure and an oil light. At 2237:27 edt, the pilot reported an emergency. Flight was cleared to Allegheny County Airport and advised Monroeville Airport 230 heading and 5 miles. The aircraft crashed at 2247 edt. The investigation showed a loose flange nut on left turbocharger feed line finger tight. Test produced a steady leak. At site oil covered bottom of fuselage and empennage. Two passengers were killed while two other occupants were injured.