Block Island

The pilot reported that he performed a rolling takeoff from the 2315 ft runway. He said that as soon as the airplane broke ground on the takeoff roll, he experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot said that he retracted the gear to help clear a 42 ft dike at the departure end of the runway. Also, he reported that after clearing the dike, he turned gradually to the left, and the left wing stalled. Two witnesses reported hearing loud, steady sounds from the airplane's engine and propeller. They said they saw the airplane in a high nose-up attitude, and watched the airplane descend behind the dike. The engine could be heard until the airplane contacted the river. During an operational check after the accident, the engine performed at recommended levels. According to performance data provided by the FAA, at the given takeoff weight, with a zero degree flap setting, the airplane required 2850 feet of runway to clear a 50 ft obstacle. The charts were based on full power before brake release.

During an approach to land, the pilot made S-turns to allow for proper spacing from a preceding airplane. On short final, he decided to go around because the runway was still not clear. However, he reported there was a lack of response concerning the power, so he decided to land as originally planned. The pilot tried to align the airplane with the runway centerline, but its right wing and landing gear struck the ground, and the right landing gear collapsed. The airplane skidded off the right side of the runway. During the accident sequence, the outward portion of the right wing was torn away from the airplane and a fuel line was ruptured. A ground fire erupted and burned through the right side of the airplane's structure and right wing. No preimpact part failure or malfunction was reported.

The purpose of the flight was to prepare two first officers for a captain upgrade flight. The instructor pilot disabled the student's attitude indicator during flight, and the student had difficulty maintaining airplane control. During a simulated instrument approach, while in the procedure turn, the instructor simulated an engine failure in addition to the attitude indicator failure. The student asked the instructor to take control of the airplane because he became disoriented, however, the instructor refused. The investigation revealed that the instructor would turn his own flight instrument lights to the 'dim' position when the student was flying so that he could not 'peek' at the operable attitude indicator. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the instructor's light rheostat was in the dim position. The accident occurred over the ocean, on a moonless night. Neither the operator, nor the FAA were aware that this instructor was using Block Island for training, or what training methods he was employing.

On dark (moonless) night, non schedule domestic passenger flight departed Block Island for Westerly, RI, with 7 passengers and 2 dogs. It crashed along route in Block Island Sound, 3 to 5 miles northwest of island (an area lacking visibility reference on SFC). Later, main wreckage was found in 130 feet of water. Additional wreckage and bodies of pilot, 3 passengers and 2 dogs were found. Aircraft was badly damaged during impact (left wing separated outbound of left engine, extensive damage to forward part of aircraft), but no preimpact part failure/malfunction was found. Commercial/instructor rated pilot was part time employee. He was on medication for lyme disease, but no physiological problem was found that would have resulted in accident. At approximately 1720 est, there was a pirep of a broken cloud layer at 10,000 feet. Another pilot, who was flying at about the same time, reported scattered clouds above 10,000 feet, over 10 miles visibility, wind westerly at 15 to 25 mph and light to moderate turbulences. Sigmet (golf 4) warned of moderate occasional severe turbulences below 6,000 feet and potential of low level windshear. Accident occurred along bird migratory route. There had been no recent FAA inspection of base, ramp, cockpit (en route check), ground/flight training program, crew/dispatch/trip record. All eight occupants were killed.

The crew was involved in a training flight consisting of an aerial attack of a submarine off Long Island. One hour after his departure from Quonset Point NAS, the pilot encountered problems and lost control of the aircraft that crashed into the sea about 30 miles east of the Montauk Point lighthouse, Long Island. All seven crew members were killed.
Crew:
Lt Jerome J. Rossillion,
Lt Herschell B. Thorpe,
Charles G. Chapman,
Charles L. Cook,
Ralph R. Maxfield,
Frank M. Roeder Jr.,
Kenneth G. Peterson.

The aircraft departed on a test flight and was diverted to confirm a reported sighting of a submarine southeast of Nantucket. The weather deteriorated and darkness set in after the aircraft departed the station. The rain and gathering darkness limited visibility and the aircraft consequently impacted the cliffs on Block Island, killing all three crew members.
Crew:
Lt Robert J. Lafferty,
AMM1 S. J. Tarapchak,
RM1 W. A. Boutillier.