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Crash of a Piper PA-61P Aerostar (Ted Smith 601) near Carrollton

Date & Time: Oct 20, 2016 at 1110 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N601UK
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Hampton – Carrollton
MSN:
61-0183-012
YOM:
1974
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1338
Captain / Total hours on type:
36.00
Aircraft flight hours:
2236
Circumstances:
The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to reposition the airplane to another airport for refuel. During preflight, he reported that the airplane's two fuel gauges read "low," but the supplemental electronic fuel totalizer displayed 55 total gallons. He further reported that it is not feasible to visual check the fuel quantity, because the fueling ports are located near the wingtips and the fuel quantity cannot be measured with any "external measuring device." According to the pilot, his planned flight was 20 minutes and the fuel quantity, as indicated by the fuel totalizer, was sufficient. The pilot reported that about 12 nautical miles from the destination airport, both engines began to "surge" and subsequently lost power. During the forced landing, the pilot deviated to land in grass between a highway, the airplane touched down hard, and the landing gear collapsed. The fuselage and both wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported in the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/ Operator Aircraft Accident Report that there was a "disparity" between the actual fuel quantity and the fuel quantity set in the electronic fuel totalizer. He further reported that a few days before the accident, he set the total fuel totalizer quantity to full after refueling, but in hindsight, he did not believe the fuel tanks were actually full because the wings may not have been level during the fueling. The "Preflight" chapter within the operating manual for the fuel totalizer in part states: "Digiflo-L is a fuel flow measuring system and NOT a quantity-sensing device. A visual inspection and positive determination of the usable fuel in the fuel tanks is a necessity. Therefore, it is imperative that the determined available usable fuel be manually entered into the system."
Probable cause:
The pilot's failure to verify the usable fuel in the fuel tanks, which resulted in an inaccurate fuel totalizer setting during preflight, fuel exhaustion, and a total loss of engine power.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31T Cheyenne II in Jacksonville: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 9, 1986 at 2126 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N700CM
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Hampton - Jacksonville
MSN:
31-7820007
YOM:
1978
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
1710
Captain / Total hours on type:
100.00
Circumstances:
While being vectored for an ILS runway 07 approach, the pilot was told to maint 3,000 feet and advised he was following a Boeing 727. The minimum approach altitude before intercepting the ILS glide slope at the final approach fix/outer marker was 1,900 feet. As the aircraft was approaching the outer marker, the pilot was cleared for the approach and was handed off to the tower. After contacting the tower, the pilot was told to descend as published. At approximately that time, the tower controller and his supervisor discussed N700CM's altitude and proximity to the 727. The controller was going to discontinue the approach, but his supervisor suggested he wait and see if it would work out. Subsequently, N700CM crashed into trees approximately 5,800 feet short of the runway while descending in a wings level attitude. Radar data showed N700CM was well above the ILS glide slope when cleared for the approach. ATC procedures requested the aircraft to be below the glide slope before being cleared. Also, N700CM was approximately 2.57 miles behind the 727, but stayed well above the 727's flight path (and possible wake turbulence) until moments before impact. N700CM entered an excessive rate of descent before going below the glide slope. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: in flight collision with object
Phase of operation: approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
Findings
1. (f) weather condition - low ceiling
2. (f) weather condition - fog
3. (f) weather condition - rain
4. Radar separation - inadequate - atc personnel (dep/apch)
5. (f) instructions, written/verbal - improper - atc personnel (dep/apch)
6. (f) descent - delayed
7. (c) planned approach - improper use of - pilot in command
8. Missed approach - not issued - atc personnel (lcl/gnd/clnc)
9. (f) supervision - inadequate - atc personnel (supervisor)
10. (f) proper glidepath - not attained - pilot in command
11. (c) missed approach - not performed - pilot in command
12. (c) descent - excessive - pilot in command
13. (f) object - tree(s)
14. (c) decision height - improper use of - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain off Hampton: 4 killed

Date & Time: Oct 20, 1976 at 1908 LT
Registration:
N61436
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Washington DC - Newport News - Baltimore
MSN:
31-7405465
YOM:
1974
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
2646
Captain / Total hours on type:
180.00
Circumstances:
While descending to Newport News-Williamsburg Airport on a schedule flight from Washington DC, the right engine failed. The crew lost control of the airplane that entered a dive and crashed into the sea off Hampton, about 12,5 miles southeast of the airport. The aircraft was lost and all four occupants were killed (the copilot's body was never recovered).
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent during initial approach due to engine structure failure (valve assemblies). The following contributing factors were reported:
- Diverted attention from operation of aircraft,
- Electrical system: generators/alternators,
- Failed to use or incorrectly used miscellaneous equipment,
- Aircraft came to rest in water,
- N°5 cylinder on right engine, exhaust valve would not seat,
- Right engine alternator bracket failed.
Final Report: