Zone

Crash of a Beechcraft Beechjet 400A in Macon

Date & Time: Sep 18, 2012 at 1003 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N428JD
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Charleston - Macon
MSN:
RJ-13
YOM:
1986
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
7000
Captain / Total hours on type:
4000.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
2500
Copilot / Total hours on type:
450
Aircraft flight hours:
5416
Circumstances:
The aircraft was substantially damaged when it overran runway 28 during landing at Macon Downtown Airport (MAC), Macon, Georgia. The airplane departed from Charleston Air Force Base/International Airport (CHS), Charleston, South Carolina, about 0930. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed. Both Airline Transport Pilots (ATP) and one passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was owned by Dewberry, LLC and operated by The Aviation Department. The corporate flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. According to an interview with the pilots, they arrived at DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK), Atlanta, Georgia, which was their home base airport, about 0400, and then drove about 4 1/2 hours to CHS for the 0930 flight. The flight departed on time, the airspeed index bug was set on the co-pilot's airspeed for a decision takeoff speed (V1) of about 102 knots and a single engine climb speed (V2) on the pilot's side of 115 knots. The flight climbed to 16,000 feet prior to beginning the descent into MAC. When the flight was about 11 miles from the airport the flight crew visually acquired the airport and cancelled their IFR clearance with the Macon Radar Approach controller and proceeded to the airport visually. The second-in-command activated the runway lights utilizing the common traffic advisory frequency for the airport. Both crew members reported that about 3 seconds following activation of the lights and the precision approach path indicator (PAPI) lights, the PAPI lights turned off and would not reactivate. During the approach, the calculated reference speed (Vref) was 108 knots and was set on both pilots' airspeed indicator utilizing the index bug that moved around the outside face of the airspeed instrument. The landing was within the first 1,000 feet of the runway and during the landing roll out the airplane began to "hydroplane" since there was visible standing water on the runway and the water was "funneling into the middle." Maximum reverse thrust, braking, and ground spoilers were deployed; however, both pilots reported a "pulsation" in the brake system. The airplane departed the end of the runway into the grass, went down an embankment, across a road, and into trees. They further added that the airplane "hit hard" at the bottom of the embankment. They also reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane prior to the landing. According to an eyewitness statement, a few minutes prior to the airplane landing, the airport experienced a rain shower with a "heavy downpour." The witness reported observing the airplane on approach, heard the engine thrust reverse, and then observed the airplane "engulfed in a large ball of water vapor." However, he did not observe the airplane as it departed the end of the runway. Another witness was located in a hangar on the west side of the airport and heard the airplane, looked outside and then saw the airplane with the reverse thrusters deployed. He watched it depart the end of the runway and travel into the nearby woods.
Probable cause:
The pilot’s failure to maintain proper airspeed, which resulted in the airplane touching down too fast on the wet runway with inadequate runway remaining to stop and a subsequent runway overrun. Contributing to the landing overrun were the flight crew members’ failure to correctly use the appropriate performance chart to calculate the runway required to stop on a contaminated runway and their general lack of proper crew resource management.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 340A in Ocala: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 27, 2012 at 1227 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N340HF
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Macon - Ocala
MSN:
340A-0624
YOM:
1978
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
1048
Aircraft flight hours:
5057
Circumstances:
The pilot entered the left downwind leg of the traffic pattern to land to the north. A surface wind from the west prevailed with gusts to 15 knots. Radar data revealed that the airplane was on final approach, about 1.16 miles from the runway and about 210 feet above the ground. The airplane then crashed in a pasture south of the airport, in a slight left-wing-low attitude, and came to rest upright. The cockpit and cabin were consumed in a postcrash fire. The pilot's wife, who was in the aft cabin and survived the accident, recalled that it was choppy and that they descended quickly. She recalled hearing two distinct warning horns in the cockpit prior to the crash. The airplane was equipped with two aural warning systems in the cockpit: a landing gear warning horn and a stall warning horn. The pilot likely allowed the airspeed to decay while aligning the airplane on final approach and allowed the airplane to descend below a normal glide path. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the landing gear were in transit toward the retracted position at impact, indicating that the pilot was attempting to execute a go-around before the accident. The pilot made no distress calls to air traffic controllers before the crash. The pilot did not possess a current flight review at the time of the accident. Examination of the wreckage, including a test run of both engines, revealed no evidence of a pre-existing mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.
Probable cause:
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and altitude on final approach, resulting in an impact with terrain short of the airport.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 425 Conquest in Ronkonkoma: 3 killed

Date & Time: Dec 16, 1996 at 1840 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N425EW
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Macon – Ronkonkoma
MSN:
425-0150
YOM:
1983
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
10846
Captain / Total hours on type:
2089.00
Circumstances:
The pilot had received clearance for the ILS Runway 6 approach and was advised that the previous landing traffic reported '...breaking out at minimums.' Radar data revealed that the airplane descended in instrument meteorological conditions to the decision height altitude of 294 feet, approximately 3 miles from the missed approach point. The pilot did not perform the missed approach procedure. The airplane leveled off and continued at or below decision height altitude for approximately 28 seconds, traveling a distance of approximately 1 mile. Four low altitude alerts appeared on the tower controller's display. The controller stated he withheld the alert because '...it was a critical phase of flight and the aircraft appeared to be climbing...' The airplane collided with trees and terrain approximately 1.5 miles from the approach end of the landing runway.
Probable cause:
The pilot's early descent to decision height and his failure to perform the missed approach procedure. A factor was the failure of air traffic control to issue a safety advisory.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 340 in Falmouth: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 7, 1992 at 2150 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N194S
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Macon – Grand Rapids
MSN:
340-0167
YOM:
1972
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
142
Captain / Total hours on type:
25.00
Aircraft flight hours:
2762
Circumstances:
The airplane was cruising at 16,500 feet at night when radar and radio contact were lost. The pilot made no distress radio calls. Recorded radar data showed the airplane in a left descending turn. Other airplanes were deviating around weather in the area. Ground witnesses heard the airplane prior to impact and reported rain. The pilot started flying lessons in march and received his multi-engine rating in june. He had a total of 142 hours flight time, with 25 hours in this make and model airplane and 9 hours total night time. The pilot was not instrument rated.
Probable cause:
The improper decision by the non-instrument-rated pilot to attempt VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions resulting in a loss of airplane control and subsequent inadvertent spiral and collision with the ground. Factors related to the accident were: the pilot's lack of total flight experience; the pilot's lack of flight time in this make and model airplane; and his overconfidence in his own ability.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Munford: 4 killed

Date & Time: Feb 7, 1991 at 0830 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N27818
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Macon - Anniston
MSN:
31-7952001
YOM:
1979
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
3000
Circumstances:
During an updated 0528 est weather briefing, the pilot was advised of flight precautions for IFR weather conditions in the Georgia and Alabama areas. At 0841 est he departed Macon, GA on an IFR flight plan to Anniston, AL. At 0821 cst, approximately 22 miles southeast from the Anniston Airport, the pilot contacted Atlanta center and cancelled his IFR flight plan. He was advised that the minimum safe altitude in his area was 2,900 feet msl. Two minutes later he contacted Anniston radio and requested local weather conditions. He was given the latest reported (0756 cst) weather as ceiling 1,500 broken, 3,100 overcast, 5 miles with fog. The Anniston airport field elevation is 526 feet. The aircraft subsequently impacted a mountain top 10 miles southwest of the airport at an elevation of approximately 2,300 feet. The 0850 cst Anniston weather was 800 feet overcast, 4 miles in fog. All four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot attempting visual flight in instrument meteorological conditions below the minimum safe altitude for terrain clearance. Contributing factors were the low ceiling and mountainous terrain.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Macon: 4 killed

Date & Time: Oct 17, 1969 at 0910 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N5000S
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Covington - Douglas
MSN:
A-194
YOM:
1946
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
15335
Circumstances:
Both engines failed simultaneously in flight. The pilot reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed in flames on a golf course located near Macon. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Both engines failed in normal cruise following the combination of the following factors:
- Improper operation of powerplant and powerplant controls,
- Oil starvation,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Complete failure both engines,
- Fire after impact,
- Oil shut off valve to right engine found partly closed, left engine was closed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3C in Columbus: 8 killed

Date & Time: Apr 22, 1947 at 1040 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC49657
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Macon – Columbus
MSN:
9066
YOM:
1943
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Captain / Total flying hours:
11091
Captain / Total hours on type:
1800.00
Aircraft flight hours:
2899
Circumstances:
On final approach to runway 05, while at a height of 10 feet, the DC-3 was hit by a private Vultee BT-13 registered NC55312 and carrying one pilot. Following the collision, both aircraft climbed to a height of 150 feet and then stalled and crashed in a huge explosion. Both aircraft were destroyed and all nine occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the failure of the pilot in the BT-13 to fly a standard left hand pattern in his approach to the airport and to Keep a diligent lookout for other traffic.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-DK in Macon: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 3, 1944 at 0029 LT
Operator:
Registration:
42-92042
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Dunnellon AFB - Fort Benning AFB
MSN:
11799
YOM:
1943
Location:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Aircraft left Dunnellon AFB, Florida, at 1715LT bound for Fort Benning-Lawson, Georgia, with another USAF C-47, for a training mission. En route, weather conditions worsened and as the first aircraft landed safely at 1917LT, the crew of the second aircraft lost his orientation. Due to poor weather conditions, the authorities of Fort Benning-Lawson AFB decided to close all runways to traffic at 1930LT. For more than two hours, crew maintained radio contact with Atlanta ATC until the aircraft disappeared at 0029LT. SAR operations found the wreckage and the dead bodies of all five occupants on the next morning in a hilly area located some 5 miles northeast of Macon.

Crash of a Consolidated B-24D-CO Liberator in Macon

Date & Time: Mar 28, 1942
Operator:
Registration:
41-1128
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
68
YOM:
1941
Location:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Macon-Herbert-Smart Airport, the airplane crashed for unknown reasons and was destroyed. The airplane was ferried to Macon to get some modifications prior to its delivery to the Royal Air Force. There were no casualties.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.4B in Macon

Date & Time: Jan 21, 1921 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
AS-63670
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The engine failed in flight, forcing the pilot to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed and was destroyed. Both occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
Engine failure in flight.