Zone

Crash of a Learjet 35A in Goodland

Date & Time: Oct 17, 2007 at 1010 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N31MC
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Fort Worth - Goodland
MSN:
35A-270
YOM:
1979
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
20000
Captain / Total hours on type:
7000.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
9500
Copilot / Total hours on type:
700
Aircraft flight hours:
5565
Circumstances:
According to the flight crew, they exited the clouds approximately 250 feet above ground level, slightly left of the runway centerline. The pilot not flying took control of the airplane and adjusted the course to the right. The airplane rolled hard to the right and when the pilot corrected to the left, the airplane rolled hard to the left. The airplane impacted the ground in a right wing low attitude, resulting in substantial damage. Further examination and testing revealed anomalies with the yaw damper and spoileron computer. According to the manufacturer, these anomalies would not have prevented control of the airplane. Greater control wheel displacement and force to achieve a desired roll rate when compared with an operative spoileron system would be required. The result would be a slightly higher workload for the pilot, particularly in turbulence or crosswind conditions. An examination of the remaining systems revealed no anomalies.
Probable cause:
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing.
Final Report:

Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-300 Diamond IA in Goodland: 3 killed

Date & Time: Dec 15, 1993 at 1305 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N710MB
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Scott City - Goodland
MSN:
78
YOM:
1984
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
17365
Captain / Total hours on type:
80.00
Aircraft flight hours:
2593
Circumstances:
The flight was cleared for the ILS approach to runway 30. The flying pilot was the pilot-in-command. According to the cockpit voice recorder transcripts, the flying pilot had difficulty making a stabilized approach. During the initial descent the airplane entered an overspeed condition and the airplane flew through the localizer. During his attempt to re-establish the airplane on the localizer, the pilot allowed the airspeed to decrease to the point where the prestall 'stick-shaker' activated. The stick shaker continued until the airplane departed controlled flight and impacted terrain. No evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies were discovered during the investigation. All three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot-in-command's inadvertent stall of the airplane. A factor associated with the accident is the pilot-in-command's poor ifr procedures.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas B-26C Invader near Cimarron: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 26, 1988 at 1715 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N4813E
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Goodland - Phoenix
MSN:
29243
YOM:
1944
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
1086
Circumstances:
The pilot received a weather briefing before takeoff, but did not file a flight plan. During the flight, the aircraft (Douglas A-26C, N4813E) crashed in mountainous terrain at an elevation of about 11,200 feet near Baldy Mountain. Scouting personnel, who were camped in the vicinity, reported the weather was poor with a low ceiling, restricted visibility, rain and hail. An examination of the crash site revealed the aircraft impacted in a steep, right wing low, nose low attitude. Much of the wreckage collapsed into the impact crater. The degree of destruction was consistent with a high speed impact. Chordwise scratch marks were found on the prop blades. Several tree branches and limbs at the crash site had smooth cuts. The pilot was type rated in the A-26, but his certificate had a limitation that restricted him to flying it in 'VFR only.' Neither the pilot nor the rated passenger held an instrument rating. The rated passenger did not have a type rating in the A-26, but the pilot possessed a waiver to fly N4813E as a single pilot airplane. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: in flight encounter with weather
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
1. (f) light condition - dusk
2. (f) visual/aural perception - pilot in command
3. (f) terrain condition - high terrain
4. (f) weather condition - low ceiling
5. (f) weather condition - fog
6. (f) weather condition - rain
7. (f) weather condition - hail
8. (f) weather condition - obscuration
9. (c) vfr flight into imc - continued - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: cruise
Findings
10. (c) aircraft control - not maintained - pilot in command
11. (c) spatial disorientation - pilot in command
12. (f) lack of total instrument time - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Findings
13. (f) terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-45-DK near Goodland: 13 killed

Date & Time: Jul 18, 1946 at 2110 LT
Operator:
Registration:
45-0930
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Forbes - Lowry
MSN:
16933/34192
YOM:
1945
Location:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
13
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a flight from Forbes AFB (Topeka) to Lowry AFB located near Aurora, Colorado. Enroute, while cruising in adverse weather conditions, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in a field located 4 miles north of Goodland. All 13 occupants were killed. It appears that at the time of the accident, weather conditions were poor with thunderstorm activity and electricity.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the loss of control was caused by severe turbulence due to thunderstorm activity. Also, electricity in the stormy area may badly influenced on board equipment.

Crash of a Metal G-2W Flamingo in Goodland

Date & Time: Jun 28, 1933
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC9489
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Goodland – Salina
MSN:
13
YOM:
1929
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Goodland Airport, while climbing to a height of about 2,000 feet, the aircraft caught fire for unknown reasons. The pilot reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing when the airplane crashed in an open field, bursting into flames. All five occupants escaped with minor injuries and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
In-flight fire for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Metal G-2W Flamingo in Goodland

Date & Time: May 22, 1933
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC9488
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Salina – Goodland
MSN:
12
YOM:
1929
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The pilot was approaching Goodland when he encountered poor weather conditions with a sandstorm. The airplane landed hard, overturned and came to rest upside down. All four occupants were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.