Crash of a Beechcraft E90 King Air in Boyne City: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 15, 2021 at 1245 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N290KA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Pontiac - Boyne City
MSN:
LW-59
YOM:
1973
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
13000
Captain / Total hours on type:
700.00
Aircraft flight hours:
10491
Circumstances:
While on final approach, the airplane gradually slowed to near its stall speed. About 600 ft beyond the last recorded data, the airplane impacted the ground in a nose-down attitude that was consistent with a stall. Postaccident examination revealed no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have contributed to the accident. Witnesses near the accident site reported very heavy sleet with low visibility conditions, whereas a witness located near the final approach flightpath, about 2 miles before the accident site observed the airplane fly by below an overcast cloud layer with no precipitation present. Based on the witness accounts and weather data, the airplane likely entered a lake effect band of heavy sleet during the final portion of the flight. The airplane was modified with 5-bladed propellers, and other pilots reported it would decelerate rapidly, especially when the speed/propeller levers were moved to the high rpm (forward) position. The pilot usually flew a larger corporate jet and had not flown the accident airplane for 8 months. The passenger was a student pilot with an interest in becoming a professional pilot. The pilot’s poor airspeed control on final approach was likely influenced by a lack of recency in the turboprop airplane. The workload of inflight deicing tasks may have also contributed to the poor airspeed control. The aerodynamic effects of the heavy sleet that was encountered near the accident site likely contributed to the stall to some degree.
Probable cause:
The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while in icing conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent ground impact.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C90A King Air in Caratinga: 5 killed

Date & Time: Nov 5, 2021 at 1515 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PT-ONJ
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Goiânia – Caratinga
MSN:
LJ-1078
YOM:
1984
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
16352
Copilot / Total flying hours:
2768
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Goiânia-Santa Genoveva Airport on a taxi flight to Caratinga, carrying three passengers and two pilots. On final approach to Caratinga-Ubaporanga Airport in VFR conditions, the airplane collided with a lightning rod located on the top of a high-voltage pylon. Upon impact, the left engine was torn off and the airplane stalled before crashing in a river bed located about 4,1 km short of runway 02. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and all five occupants were killed, among them the Brazilian singer Marília Mendonça aged 26.
Probable cause:
The following factors were identified:
- Attention – undetermined.
It was found the possibility that the PT-ONJ aircraft crew had their attention (focused vision) on the runway at the expense of maintaining proper separation with the terrain on a visual approach.
- Piloting judgment – a contributor.
Regarding the approach to landing profile, there was an inadequate assessment of the aircraft's operating parameters, since the downwind leg was elongated by a significantly greater distance than that expected for a "Category B" aircraft in landing procedures under VFR.
- Memory – undetermined.
It is likely that, based on the experience of ten years of operation in a company governed by the RBAC 121, the PIC procedural memory has influenced the decisions made concerning the conduct of the aircraft. The habit of performing long final approaches in another type of operation may have activated his procedural memory, involving cognitive activities and motor skills, making the actions automated in relation to the profile performed in the accident.
- Flight planning – undetermined.
A possible non-use of the available aeronautical charts (CAP 9453 and WAC 3189), which were intended to meet the needs of visual flight, may have contributed to low situational awareness about the characteristics of the relief around the SNCT Aerodrome and the presence of the power grid that interfered with the aircraft's landing approach.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C90A King Air in Durango: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jul 18, 2021 at 0935 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N333WW
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
San Luis Potosí – Durango
MSN:
LJ-1741
YOM:
2005
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Upon landing at Durango-Guadalupe Victoria Airport following an uneventful flight from San Luis Potosí, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed in a grassy area, coming to rest upside down and bursting into flames. A pilot and two passengers were killed while four other occupants were injured.

Crash of a Beechcraft C90 King Air near Wikieup: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 10, 2021 at 1254 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N3688P
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Marana - Wikieup
MSN:
LJ-915
YOM:
1980
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
10400
Aircraft flight hours:
17126
Circumstances:
On July 10, 2021, about 1254 mountain standard time, a Beech C-90, turbo prop airplane, N3688P, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Wikieup, Arizona. The pilot and Air Tactical Group supervisor were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a public use firefighting aircraft in support of the Bureau of Land Management conducting aerial reconnaissance and supervision. The airplane was on station for about 45 minutes over the area of the Cedar Basin fire. The ADS-B data showed the airplane had accomplished multiple orbits over the area of the fire about 2,500 ft above ground level (agl). The last ADS-B data point showed the airplane’s airspeed as 151 knots, its altitude about 2,300 ft agl, and in a descent, about 805 ft east southeast of the accident site. No distress call from the airplane was overheard on the radio. According to a witness, the airplane was observed in a steep dive towards the ground. The airplane impacted the side of a ridgeline in mountainous desert terrain. The main wreckage was mostly consumed by a post-crash fire. Debris was scattered over an area of several acres. Another witness observed the left wing falling to the ground after the aircraft had impacted the terrain. The left wing had separated outboard of the nacelle and was located about 0.79 miles northeast of the main wreckage and did not sustain thermal damage.
Probable cause:
The failure and separation of the left wing’s outboard section due to a fatigue crack in the lower spar cap. Contributing to the accident was the operator’s decision to repair the wing spar instead of replacing it as recommended by the aircraft manufacturer. Also contributing to the accident was the failure of the Non-Destructive Testing inspector to detect the fatigue crack during inspection.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C90GT King Air near Caieiras: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 2, 2019 at 0602 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
PP-BSS
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Jundiaí – Campo de Marte
MSN:
LJ-1839
YOM:
2008
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
6000
Captain / Total hours on type:
211.00
Circumstances:
The pilot departed Jundiaí-Comandante Rolim Adolfo Amaro Airport at 0550LT on a short transfer flight to Campo de Marte, São Paulo. While descending to Campo de Marte Airport, he encountered poor weather conditions and was instructed by ATC to return to Jundiaí. Few minutes later, while flying in limited visibility, the twin engine airplane impacted trees and crashed in a wooded area located in Mt Cantareira, near Caieiras. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of the combination of the following factors:
- Attention – undetermined.
It is likely that the pilot has experienced a lowering of his attention in relation to the available information and the stimuli of that operational context in face of the adverse conditions faced.
- Attitude – a contributor.
It was concluded that there was no reaction to the warnings of proximity to the ground (Caution Terrain) and evasive action to avoid collision (Pull Up), a fact that revealed difficulties in thinking and acting in the face of an imminent collision condition, in which the aircraft was found.
- Adverse meteorological conditions – a contributor.
The clouds height and visibility conditions did not allow the flight to be conducted, up to SBMT, under VFR rules.
- Piloting judgment – a contributor.
The attempt to continue with the visual flight, without the minimum conditions for such, revealed an inadequate assessment, by the pilot, of parameters related to the operation of the aircraft, even though he was qualified to operate it.
- Perception – a contributor
The ability to recognize and project hazards related to continuing flight under visual rules, in marginal ceiling conditions and forward visibility, was impaired, resulting in reduced pilot situational awareness, probable geographic disorientation, and the phenomenon known as " tunnel vision''.
- Decision-making process – a contributor.
The impairment of the pilot's perception in relation to the risks related to the continuation of the flight in marginal safety conditions negatively affected his ability to perceive, analyze, choose alternatives and act appropriately due to inadequate judgments and the apparent fixation on keeping the flight under visual rules, which also contributed to this occurrence.
Final Report: