Zone

Crash of a Beechcraft C90 King Air in Gold Beach: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 21, 1989 at 1250 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N25ST
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Medford - Gold Beach
MSN:
LJ-507
YOM:
1971
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
4082
Aircraft flight hours:
6663
Circumstances:
Witnesses heard the airplane circle twice before the approach. A fog bank had just rolled into the area and visibility was reduced to approximately one mile with the bases at 200 to 300 feet. The airplane was observed emerging from the fog in a steep left turn and descending rapidly; right of center line, on a one mile final. The left bank angle increased to near 90° when the nose dipped down and the airplane collided with a parked vehicle 150 feet right of centerline and 50 feet short of the runway. Unicom not manned. No radio in ambulance on ground. Basic weather data shown from north bend, 60 miles north. All three pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot's failure to initiate a go-around after emerging from a fog bank on a short final which resulted in inadequate airspeed and a stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's poor judgement in attempting the vfr approach in imc conditions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft A100 King Air in Gold Beach

Date & Time: Sep 30, 1987 at 1435 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N32RL
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Santa Ana - Gold Beach
MSN:
BE-117
YOM:
1981
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
22266
Captain / Total hours on type:
2500.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after the aircraft touched down on the runway, the right main gear collapsed. Despite the pilot's attempts to correct the situation with left rudder and braking, the aircraft veered to the right of the runway and collided with a building. Shortly after it struck the building, a fire erupted, which totally consumed the aircraft and the building. Due to the severity of the fire, the fracture surfaces of the right landing gear were obliterated.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: main gear collapsed
Phase of operation: landing - flare/touchdown
Findings
1. (c) landing gear, main gear - failure, total
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of control - on ground/water
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
2. Directional control - not possible
3. Ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled
----------
Occurrence #3: on ground/water collision with object
Phase of operation: landing
Findings
4. (f) object - building (nonresidential)
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680F in Medford: 4 killed

Date & Time: Feb 9, 1985 at 1248 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N233W
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Gold Beach - Medford
MSN:
680-1284-129
YOM:
1963
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
9867
Captain / Total hours on type:
25.00
Aircraft flight hours:
3535
Circumstances:
The pilot reported a loss of power on both engines during descent to land. Approximately 3 minutes prior, tower gave pilot option of 'straight-in' to runway 14 or regular pattern to runway 32. The pilot hesitated and said 'just a minute' and tower offered wind info as '210 at 13.' Pilot replied, 'kay.' Approximately 1 minute later pilot said '33W will make a left base for 14.' Tower cleared him and declared visual contact. Pilot acknowledged '3 whiskey.' One minute and 54 seconds later, pilot declared power loss and emergency. Tower rogered. Seven seconds later, pilot said 'gonna hit it' followed 2 seconds later with an unintelligible comment. Witnesses saw the aircraft gliding wings level toward runway when a loud 'rev' was heard, the aircraft pitched up and rolled left to an inverted position before ground contact and explosion. Post accident investigation did not disclose any engine or fuel system malfunction. This aircraft had experienced a power loss after descending from 15,500 to 12,000 feet msl on 2/2/85 with the same pilot as reported by the copilot on that flight. After approximately 1 1/2 minutes power was restored. All four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of engine power
Phase of operation: approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
Findings
1. (c) procedures/directives - not followed - pilot in command
2. (c) performance data - not understood - pilot in command
3. (c) remedial action - not understood - pilot in command
4. (c) improper use of equipment/aircraft - pilot in command
5. (f) anxiety/apprehension - pilot in command
6. (f) acft/equip, inadequate aircraft manuals - manufacturer
7. (f) fuel system - undetermined
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
Findings
8. (c) emergency procedure - misjudged - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: approach - vfr pattern - final approach
Findings
9. (c) airspeed(vmc) - not maintained - pilot in command
10. (c) directional control - not maintained - pilot in command
11. (c) throttle/power control - not corrected - pilot in command
12. (c) maneuver - uncontrolled - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #4: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Findings
13. Terrain condition - open field
Final Report: