GP-Express Airlines

The flight was a part 135 six-month proficiency check for the pilot in the left seat. Both pilots were check airmen for the commuter air carrier. The flight took off at 2343 after cessation of company revenue operations. The cockpit voice recorder recorded conversation of both pilots discussing aerobatics. The pilot in the left seat started to describe the performance of a prohibited maneuver (apparently a barrel roll). The recording ended before description of the maneuver was completed. The airplane impacted in a nose level attitude with the left wing slightly down. There was evidence the maneuver was performed at an altitude insufficient to assure recovery of the airplane. A filled out grade sheet for the flight being flown was found in the check airman's mailbox. Both pilots were killed.

This was the first day on duty in the southern region operation for both pilots. In addition, they had never flown together. During the flight, the flight crew lost awareness of their airplane's position, erroneously believed that the flight was receiving radar services from ATC, and commenced the approach from an excessive altitude and at a cruise airspeed without accomplishing the published procedure specified on the approach chart. The crew believed that the airplane was south of the airport, and turned toward the north to execute the ILS runway 05 approach. In actuality, the airplane had intercepted the back course localizer signal, and the airplane continued a controlled descent until it impacted terrain. The captain and two passengers were killed while the copilot and two other passengers were seriously injured.

The aircraft was on a flight to Chadron via Chadron VOR. About 30 miles south-southeast of the VOR, the pilot requested and was cleared to fly direct to Ackme IAF for an NDB runway 02 approach. The aircraft continued toward the VOR which was in the same general direction, but 11.9 miles south of Ackme. The NDB was at the airport. Ackme IAF was 9 miles southwest of the airport on a bearing of 227° and defined by an intersection with the 356° radial of the VOR. About 3 to 4 miles southeast of the VOR, radar service was transmitted and frequency change was made. Subsequently, the aircraft struck trees on a ridge and crashed. Initial impact occurred in wings level flight at approximately 4,480 feet on a direct route between the VOR and Ackme IAF. An investigation revealed that after the frequency change, the aircraft continued to the VOR, then maneuvered as if the pilot was flying the NDB approach, but was using the VOR as the IAF. Radar data showed contact was lost after a procedure turn was made and the aircraft was outbound about 6 miles northeast of the VOR. The crash site, however, was about 3 miles west-southwest of where radar contact was last recorded. The weather at Chadron was in part: 500 feet overcast, 1.5 mile visibility with light snow and fog. No preimpact part failure/malfunction was found. The passenger was seriously injured and both pilots were killed.