Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Culpeper: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 28, 1986 at 0500 LT
Registration:
N59942
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
31-7552094
YOM:
1975
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
500
Aircraft flight hours:
4139
Circumstances:
The aircraft, which was stolen from the airport, collided with the ground in a steep angle approximately one mile south of the airport. Instrument meteorological conditions existed with local visibility less than one mile as reported by persons near the accident site. The pilot was not instrument or multi engine rated. The pilot was denied a medical certificate about two weeks prior to the accident due to uncontrolled hypertension and diabetes. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
1. (f) weather condition - fog
2. (f) weather condition - low ceiling
3. (c) vfr flight into imc - attempted - pilot in command
4. (f) overconfidence in personal ability - pilot in command
5. (c) aircraft handling - not maintained - pilot in command
6. (f) lack of total instrument time - pilot in command
7. (c) spatial disorientation - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft B99 Airliner near Staunton: 14 killed

Date & Time: Sep 23, 1985 at 1020 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N339HA
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Baltimore - Staunton
MSN:
U-156
YOM:
1974
Flight number:
AL1517
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
12
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
14
Captain / Total flying hours:
3447
Captain / Total hours on type:
301.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
3329
Copilot / Total hours on type:
119
Aircraft flight hours:
23455
Aircraft flight cycles:
41215
Circumstances:
Henson Airlines flight 1517 was cleared for an instrument approach to the Shenandoah Valley Airport, Weyers Cave, Virginia, at 0959 on September 23, 1985, after a routine flight from Baltimore-Washington International Airport, Baltimore, Maryland. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at Shenandoah Valley Airport. there were 12 passengers and 2 crew members aboard the scheduled domestic passenger flight operating under 14 CFR 135. Radar service was terminated at 1003. The crew of flight 1517 subsequently contacted the Henson station agent and Shenandoah unicom. The last recorded radar return was at 1011, at which time the airplane was east of the localizer course at 2,700 feet mean sea level and on a magnetic track of about 075°. At 1014 the pilot said, '..we're showing a little west of course...' and at 1015 he asked if he was east of course. At 1017, the controller suggested a missed approach if the airplane was not established on the localizer course. There was no response from the crew of flight 1517 whose last recorded transmission was at 1016. The wreckage of flight 1517 was located about 1842 approximately six miles east of the airport. Both crew members and all 12 passengers were fatally injured.
Probable cause:
The probable cause of this accident was a navigational error by the flightcrew resulting from their use of the incorrect navigational facility and their failure to adequately monitor the flight instruments.
Factors which contributed to the flightcrew's errors were:
- The non standardized navigational radio systems installed in the airline's Beech 99 fleet,
- Intra cockpit communications difficulties associated with high ambient noise levels in the airplane,
- Inadequate training of the pilots by the airline,
- The first officer's limited multi engine and instrument flying experience,
- The pilots' limited experience in their positions in the Beechcraft 99,
- Stress inducing events in the lives of the pilots.
Also contributing to the accident was the inadequate surveillance of the airline by the Federal Aviation Administration which failed to detect the deficiencies which led to the accident.
Final Report:

Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2B-25 Marquise in West Point: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 4, 1985 at 1852 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N275MA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Youngstown - West Point
MSN:
255
YOM:
1973
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
28818
Captain / Total hours on type:
1500.00
Aircraft flight hours:
45804
Circumstances:
After being delayed at least 2 days at Youngstown, OH, due to maintenance problems the pilot departed at approximately 1725 hours with the knowledge that the weather at his destination was ift to lifr. In addition, the pilot was scheduled for a vacation and had expressed hopes of departing on it that evening. The aircraft was seen circling West Point Municipal Airport in and out of low clouds, fog, and/or smoke from a nearby mill. Immediately before the aircraft collided with trees 6.5 miles west of the airport, a witness saw red lights, one on the rear and one close to the front of the aircraft, which was estimated to be flying at approximately tree top level. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: in flight encounter with weather
Phase of operation: circling (ifr)
Findings
1. (f) weather condition - below approach/landing minimums
2. (c) became lost/disoriented - inadvertent - pilot in command
3. Self-induced pressure - pilot in command
4. (f) weather condition - low ceiling
5. (f) weather condition - fog
6. (f) weather condition - obscuration
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with object
Phase of operation: circling (ifr)
Findings
7. (f) light condition - dark night
8. (f) object - tree(s)
9. (c) missed approach - not performed - pilot in command
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Norfolk

Date & Time: Dec 13, 1984 at 0751 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N8517Z
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Richmond - Norfolk
MSN:
A-352
YOM:
1947
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
10000
Captain / Total hours on type:
1520.00
Aircraft flight hours:
12245
Circumstances:
The aircraft crashed during an ILS approach following an engine power loss while on an air taxi freight flight. The pilot related that at about 550 feet on the approach to runway 23 the left engine fuel pressure warning light illuminated and the left engine lost power. The pilot opened the crossfeed valve and shortly the right fuel pressure warning light illuminated followed by a loss of power on the right engine. Investigation revealed that there is one fuel gauge for the tank system and a selector switch must be activated to determine the fuel quantity in any desired tank. The pilot's action in selecting crossfeed and not closing the fuel shut off valve allowed fuel to be diverted from the operative right engine resulting in a loss of power due to fuel starvation. The pilot, sole on board, was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (partial) - nonmechanical
Phase of operation: approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
Findings
1. (c) fluid, fuel - exhaustion
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of engine power (total) - nonmechanical
Phase of operation: approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
Findings
2. (c) fluid, fuel - starvation
3. (c) emergency procedure - not understood - pilot in command
4. (c) improper training - company/operator management
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
Findings
5. Object
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft U-21A Ute at Davison AAF: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 12, 1984 at 0648 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
67-18062
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Simmons - Davison
MSN:
LM-63
YOM:
1967
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
On final approach to Davison AAF, the crew encountered foggy conditions and failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the aircraft struck trees and crashed in a wooded area. All four occupants were killed.
Crew:
Cw3 Richard N. Blunt, pilot,
Cw2 John D. Hensley, copilot.
Passengers:
Ltc James E. Palmer,
Msg William Reeves.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-325 Navajo C/R in Lynchburg

Date & Time: Sep 9, 1984 at 1115 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N29RH
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Lynchburg - Sussex
MSN:
31-243
YOM:
1968
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
955
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff the pilot reported to the tower that the left engine had failed. The propeller was feathered and a left turn to downwind initiated. In the turn the right engine failed and the aircraft flew into trees in a residential area about 1 mile from the airport. No mechanical malfunctions were discovered. No fuel was found in either engine. The fuel selectors for both engines were on the outboard positions. Prior to departure the main fuel tanks were filled. No fuel was added to the outboard tanks. Impact ruptured the right outboard tank. Approximately one cup of fuel was drained from the left tank.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (total) - nonmechanical
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
1. (c) checklist - not followed - pilot in command
2. (c) fluid, fuel - starvation
3. (c) fuel tank selector position - improper - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with object
Phase of operation: maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
Findings
4. Object - tree(s)
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain at Davison AAF

Date & Time: Mar 11, 1983 at 0258 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N120AE
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Newark - Richmond - Washington DC
MSN:
31-8253006
YOM:
1982
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5675
Captain / Total hours on type:
120.00
Circumstances:
On a flight from Newark, NJ to Richmond, VA, the departure time was delayed, and subsequently, the aircraft did not arrive at Richmond until after the refueling facilities were closed. The pilot decided there was sufficient fuel aboard to complete the next flight to the Washington National Airport, so he departed on that flight. However, about 21 mikes from his destination, he declared a low-fuel state and requested vectors to the nearest airport. Vectors were provided toward Davison Army Airfield. However, both engines subsequently lost power from lack of fuel and the aircraft crashed in a wooded area approximately 500 yards short of runway 32. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical
Phase of operation: approach
Findings
1. (f) fluid,fuel - lack of
2. (f) fuel consumption calculations - improper - pilot in command
3. (c) aircraft preflight - inadequate - pilot in command
4. (f) fluid,fuel - low level
5. (c) delayed - pilot in command
6. (c) fluid,fuel - exhaustion
7. (c) fuel supply - inadequate - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: landing
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with object
Phase of operation: landing
Findings
8. (f) light condition - dark night
9. (f) object - tree(s)
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Martinsville: 8 killed

Date & Time: Nov 14, 1982 at 1830 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N3538R
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Martinsville - Greenville
MSN:
31-7912115
YOM:
1979
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Captain / Total flying hours:
1250
Captain / Total hours on type:
300.00
Aircraft flight hours:
847
Circumstances:
The pilot filed an IFR clearance and took off on runway 30 after dark. At that time, the airport manager was in his living quarters, getting ready to eat his evening meal. He reported that from his position, the takeoff height looked normal. As the aircraft departed, he noticed no unusual sounds, except he heard what he thought was shots from a rifle. Another witness heard what he described as a loud pop and the sound of engine sputter followed by a crash sound. Later, the aircraft wreckage was found about 1,5 mile northwest of the airport. The investigation revealed that it had collided with trees and the wreckage was scattered over an area about 1,000 feet long. No preimpact malfunction or failure of the engines was found. The propeller blades were found twisted and bent. The flight controls were all accounted for and examined and no preimpact failures were found. No bullet impact marks were found on any piece of the wreckage. All eight occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: in flight collision with object
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
1. (f) light condition - dark night
2. (c) proper climb rate - not maintained - pilot in command
3. (f) object - tree(s)
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing 737-222 in Washington DC: 78 killed

Date & Time: Jan 13, 1982 at 1601 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N62AF
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Washington DC - Tampa - Fort Lauderdale
MSN:
19556/130
YOM:
1969
Flight number:
QH090
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
74
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
78
Captain / Total flying hours:
8300
Captain / Total hours on type:
1852.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
3353
Copilot / Total hours on type:
992
Aircraft flight hours:
23608
Aircraft flight cycles:
29549
Circumstances:
Air Florida Flight 90 was scheduled to leave Washington National Airport at 14:15 EST for a flight to Fort Lauderdale International Airport, FL (FLL), with an intermediate stop at the Tampa, FL (TPA). The aircraft had arrived at gate 12 as Flight 95 from Miami, FL, at 13:29. Because of snowfall, the airport was closed for snow removal from 13:38 to 14:53. At about 14:20 maintenance personnel began deicing the left side of the fuselage with deicing fluid Type II because the captain wanted to start the deicing just before the airport was scheduled to reopen (at 14:30) so that he could get in line for departure. Fluid had been applied to an area of about 10 feet when the captain terminated the operation because the airport was not going to reopen at 14:30. Between 14:45 and 14:50, the captain requested that the deicing operation be resumed. The left side of the aircraft was deiced first. No covers or plugs were installed over the engines or airframe openings during deicing operations. At 15:15, the aircraft was closed up and the jet way was retracted and the crew received push-back clearance at 15:23. A combination of ice, snow, and glycol on the ramp and a slight incline prevented the tug, which was not equipped with chains, from moving the aircraft. Then, contrary to flight manual guidance, the flight crew used reverse thrust in an attempt to move the aircraft from the ramp. This resulted in blowing snow which might have adhered to the aircraft. This didn't help either, so the tug was replaced and pushback was done at 15:35. The aircraft finally taxied to runway 36 at 15:38. Although contrary to flight manual guidance, the crew attempted to deice the aircraft by intentionally positioning the aircraft near the exhaust of the aircraft ahead in line (a New York Air DC-9). This may have contributed to the adherence of ice on the wing leading edges and to the blocking of the engine’s Pt2 probes. At 15:57:42, after the New York Air aircraft was cleared for takeoff, the captain and first officer proceeded to accomplish the pre-takeoff checklist, including verification of the takeoff engine pressure ratio (EPR) setting of 2.04 and indicated airspeed bug settings. Takeoff clearance was received at 15:58. Although the first officer expressed concern that something was 'not right' to the captain four times during the takeoff, the captain took no action to reject the takeoff. The aircraft accelerated at a lower-than-normal rate during takeoff, requiring 45 seconds and nearly 5,400 feet of runway, 15 seconds and nearly 2,000 feet more than normal, to reach lift-off speed. The aircraft initially achieved a climb, but failed to accelerate after lift-off. The aircraft’s stall warning stick shaker activated almost immediately after lift-off and continued until impact. The aircraft encountered stall buffet and descended to impact at a high angle of attack. At about 16.01, the aircraft struck the heavily congested northbound span of the 14th Street Bridge and plunged into the ice-covered Potomac River. It came to rest on the west end of the bridge 0.75 nmi from the departure end of runway 36. When the aircraft struck the bridge, it struck six occupied automobiles and a boom truck before tearing away a 41-foot section of the bridge wall and 97 feet of the bridge railings. Four persons in vehicles on the bridge were killed; four were injured, one seriously.
Probable cause:
The flight crew's failure to use engine anti-ice during ground operation and takeoff, their decision to take off with snow/ice on the airfoil surfaces of the aircraft, and the captain’s failure to reject the takeoff during the early stage when his attention was called to anomalous engine instrument readings. Contributing to the accident were the prolonged ground delay between deicing and the receipt of ATC takeoff clearance during which the airplane was exposed to continual precipitation, the known inherent pitch up characteristics of the B-737 aircraft when the leading edge is contaminated with even small amounts of snow or ice, and the limited experience of the flight crew in jet transport winter operations.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 414A Chancellor in Ashland: 8 killed

Date & Time: Jan 3, 1982 at 1704 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N2620L
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Boca Raton - Ashland
MSN:
414A-0299
YOM:
1979
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Captain / Total flying hours:
1809
Captain / Total hours on type:
250.00
Circumstances:
The pilot received two weather briefings, one on the evening before the flight, another at 1009 EST, within three hours of the takeoff time. IFR conditions were forecasted at the uncontrolled, destination airport. The pilot filed an IFR flight plan, but did not list an alternate airport. The aircraft departed Boca Raton at 1257 EST. The flight was uneventful en route and all communications were normal. During arrival, the pilot was cleared for a VOR 3 approach to runway 16. The minimum descent altitude (MDS) for the approach was 800 feet MSL (595 feet AGL) and the minimum visibility was one mile. Several witnesses at and near the airport saw or heard the aircraft. They described the aircraft as crossing the airport from the west side to the east. Those who saw it described it to be approximately 150 to 200 feet AGL, in and out of the clouds. Reportedly, the aircraft then circled and crossed the airport again. Subsequently, it struck an 80 feet tree, then impacted the ground in a steep descent. There was no evidence of failure or malfunction of the airframe or powerplant before impact. The aircraft was estimated to be 46 lbs over the max gross weight limit during impact. All eight occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
In flight collision with terrain during an uncontrolled descent due to improper IFR procedures. The following findings were reported:
- Dusk,
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Rain,
- The pilot continue into known adverse weather,
- Trees,
- Overconfidence in personal ability on part of the pilot.
Final Report: