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Crash of a Swearingen SA226T Merlin III in Santa Fe: 4 killed

Date & Time: May 25, 1993 at 2114 LT
Type of aircraft:
Swearingen SA226T Merlin
Operator:
Peacock's Flying Service
Registration:
N241DT
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Albuquerque - Santa Fe
MSN:
T-242
YOM:
1973
Location:
Santa Fe
New Mexico
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
7125
Captain / Total hours on type:
3550.00
Aircraft flight hours:
3677
Circumstances:
The purpose of the training flight was to conduct part 135 checkrides for a pilot-in-command and a second-in-command upon completion of the crew's training. The checkride was being observed by an FAA inspector seated in the cabin. After completing an ILS approach to runway 02, the flight was cleared to circle to land on runway 15. The airplane was observed overflying runway 15 and lined up for runway 20. The tower advised the pilot that he was lined up for runway 20, and was given the option to land on either runway 15 or runway 20. The pilot opted for runway 15 and was cleared to a right downwind. The airplane impacted a hill at the 6,870-feet level near the crest, approximately 5 miles west of the airport. The published circling MDA for the ILS runway 02 approach is 6,860 feet. The airport is located about 9 miles from the city, and several local pilots reported a total lack of visual reference in that segment. All four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot's poorly planned circling approach, and his failure to maintain an adequate altitude. Factors which contributed to the accident were: the dark night and a lack of visual reference.
Final Report:

Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2B-30 Marquise in Alamogordo: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jun 24, 1992 at 2325 LT
Type of aircraft:
Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquise
Operator:
William G. Whitehead
Registration:
N108SC
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Alamogordo - Burnet
MSN:
545
YOM:
1971
Location:
Alamogordo
New Mexico
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
10072
Captain / Total hours on type:
1095.00
Aircraft flight hours:
4251
Circumstances:
The flight had departed the Alamogordo-White Sands Regional Airport after a fuel stop. The pilot had earlier indicated to ATC that he was unfamiliar with the area. Prior to departure at 2321 the pilot was informed that departure radar was out of service. The flight departed with a VFR departure. At 2324 the pilot was advised that radar was back in service, and confirmed that the aircraft was climbing thru 5,300 feet. Discussion ensued between the pilot and controller concerning terrain clearance. At 2324 the pilot indicated he was turning left due to not being sure if a hill was in his path. The airplane impacted a mountain at 6,100 feet msl, 1,500 feet below the summit. The minimum vectoring altitude in the area was 11,000 feet. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all six occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The failure of the pilot to exercise adequate VFR departure terrain avoidance procedures, and the failure of the controller to issue a safety alert to the pilot. Factors which contributed to the accident were: the pilot's lack of familiarity with the geographic area, the dark night, and the mountainous terrain.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 690A in Taos: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 29, 1992 at 1900 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 690
Operator:
Legal Air Flight Services
Registration:
N111FL
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Taos - Tulsa
MSN:
690-11163
YOM:
1974
Location:
Taos
New Mexico
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
2200
Captain / Total hours on type:
120.00
Aircraft flight hours:
3404
Circumstances:
The airplane impacted slightly rising terrain in a 15° left bank, slight nose up attitude while descending shortly after takeoff in dark night IMC. There were rain and snow showers in the area and it was devoid of visible ground reference lights. The difference between the takeoff heading and the impact heading was 75° and the airplane had traveled 3,987 feet from the departure end of the runway at initial impact. The wreckage subsequently traveled an additional 837 feet through the brush. The pilot stated that the takeoff was normal in all aspects and all of the airplane systems were operating normally. He stated that the last thing he remembered was passing through 8,500 feet with a rate of climb of 1,500 feet per minute. The airport elevation was 7,091 feet. He did not recall the radio altimeter alert or the warning light activating. No evidence of pre-impact failure or malfunction was found during the investigation. Rescue of the occupants were delayed due to the weather, darkness, and spurious elt signals masked by the wreckage.
Probable cause:
The pilot in command's failure to maintain the climb after departing the runway environment. Factors were the weather conditions and the dark night.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600) in Ruidoso: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 11, 1991 at 1150 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600)
Operator:
Jimmy M. Franklin
Registration:
N4VH
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Ruidoso - Reno
MSN:
60-0055-125
YOM:
1971
Location:
Ruidoso-Sierra Blanca
New Mexico
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
5600
Circumstances:
While departing on a cross country flight the aircraft was observed to have an abnormally long takeoff roll and to rotate abruptly to a higher than normal nose attitude. Initial climb was followed by settling with a high nose attitude and the aircraft crashed approximately one mile beyond the departure end of the runway. The main cabin door was found in the unlocked position and the lower half was found near the beginning of the wreckage path with impact damage. The top half was found further down the wreckage path and had sustained fire damage. The Aerostar has an observed drag and pitch performance degradation if the cabin door opens during takeoff run. A passenger was seriously injured while two other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control in flight after to the cabin door opened inadvertently during takeoff run.
Final Report:

Crash of a Morane-Saulnier M.S.760B Paris II in Albuquerque: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 11, 1990 at 0400 LT
Type of aircraft:
Morane-Saulnier M.S.760 Paris
Operator:
Stonewall Transport
Registration:
N23ST
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Albuquerque – Las Cruces
MSN:
50
YOM:
1959
Location:
Albuquerque-Double Eagle II
New Mexico
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
1372
Captain / Total hours on type:
56.00
Aircraft flight hours:
1108
Circumstances:
The pilot, a heart transplant surgeon, was advised of a donor in Las Cruces, NM. He and a physician's assistant were to fly to Las Cruces, retrieve the donor heart, and return to Albuquerque, where the transplant was to be performed. The pilot obtained a weather briefing (VMC was forecast) and filed an IFR flight plan. He fueled the jet aircraft to capacity and took off into a dark, clear, moonless night towards open, flat terrain with few ground lights. The aircraft crashed seconds later. It impacted the ground in a left wing/nose slightly low attitude at high speed. There was no evidence of preimpact failure/malfunction of the airframe, engines, instruments, or controls. The pilot had been awake for 22 hours with little or no rest. He was not current for night flight. His IFR currency could not be determined. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the pilot to maintain a climb after takeoff, due to spatial disorientation. Factors related to the accident were: darkness, pilot fatigue, and the pilot's lack of recent experience in night flying operation.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft F90 King Air in Ruidoso: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 2, 1989 at 1435 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 90 King Air
Operator:
R W F Inc.
Registration:
N9PU
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Carlsbad - Ruidoso
MSN:
LA-57
YOM:
1980
Location:
Ruidoso
New Mexico
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
569
Captain / Total hours on type:
92.00
Aircraft flight hours:
921
Circumstances:
Witnesses heard the airplane circling in the vicinity of the NDB. Other witnesses saw the airplane exit the cloud base in a near-vertical dive and impact the ground approximately one mile east and 1/2 mile north of the NDB. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control due to pilot disorientation while conducting a non precision instrument approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of instrument and multi engine experience, and the existing adverse weather.
Final Report:

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

Date & Time: Jun 26, 1988 at 1715 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas A-26 Invader
Operator:
Edward G. Counselman
Registration:
N4813E
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Goodland - Phoenix
MSN:
29243
YOM:
1944
Location:
Cimarron
New Mexico
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
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 Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I in Albuquerque: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 25, 1988 at 1801 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I
Operator:
Starcraft Aviation
Registration:
C-GVDG
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Kansas City - Albuquerque
MSN:
421A-0067
YOM:
1968
Location:
Albuquerque-Sunport
New Mexico
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
2180
Captain / Total hours on type:
91.00
Circumstances:
The pilot and one passenger were on a business trip in the US from canada. The pilot had the aircraft fuel tanks 'topped off' prior to departure from Kansas City. The flight plan indicated 3 hours 30 min enroute to Albuquerque with 5 hours 30 min of fuel on board. Strong enroute winds and turbulence were forecast along the route of flight. The actual flight was 4.4 hrs. The aircraft crashed while turning from base leg to final at the Albuquerque Intl Airport. Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of fuel in or around the aircraft. The manufacturer recommends using the main tanks for 90 minutes before switching to any aux tank to prevent venting of return fuel overboard. Vented fuel will diminish fuel supply. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (partial) - nonmechanical
Phase of operation: approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
Findings
1. (c) fuel system - not understood - pilot in command
2. (c) fluid, fuel - exhaustion
3. (c) fuel dumped - inadvertent - pilot in command
4. (f) weather condition - unfavorable wind
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Findings
5. (c) stall/spin - inadvertent - pilot in command
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 690B in Albuquerque

Date & Time: Oct 8, 1987 at 1615 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 690
Operator:
Mid-America Air
Registration:
N711TT
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Oklahoma City - Albuquerque
MSN:
690-11362
YOM:
1976
Location:
Albuquerque-Coronado
New Mexico
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
7230
Captain / Total hours on type:
1086.00
Aircraft flight hours:
1829
Circumstances:
Aircraft was landing on runway 17 at Coronado Airport, 9 NM north of Albuquerque, NM Intl Airport. Pilot said he brought props into reverse and aircraft went off right side of runway. Pilot brought props out of reverse, realigned aircraft on runway, and reversed props again. Aircraft went off right side of runway and collided with runway lights and culverts. Right main and nose landing gears collapsed. Witnesses said approach was too fast with high sink rate that was arrested in landing flare. Pilot said he did not think there had been any mechanical failure or malfunction, but later wrote he thought left prop failed to reverse. Examination of aircraft revealed both prop blade tips curled opposite direction of rotation about 6 inches from tip.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of control - on ground/water
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
1. (f) airspeed (vref) - excessive - pilot in command
2. (c) directional control - not maintained - pilot in command
3. (f) planned approach - poor - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: on ground/water collision with object
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
4. (f) object - runway light
----------
Occurrence #3: gear collapsed
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed P2V-5F Neptune in the White Sands Missile Range: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 10, 1987 at 1530 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed P-2 Neptune
Operator:
Black Hills Aviation
Registration:
N96271
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Fire fighting
Survivors:
No
Site:
Desert
MSN:
426-5315
YOM:
1954
Location:
White Sands Missile Range
New Mexico
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
At approximately 3:00 p.m. on September 10, 1987, the Army called Black Hills Aviation to suppress a fire started by a FAADS missile. The missile was fired more than two hours before the crash. A P2V aircraft, Forest Service Number N96271 ["Tanker 07"], owned by Black Hills, was dispatched in response to the request for aerial fire suppression. Tanker 07 was piloted by Nathan Kolb and co-piloted by Woodard Miller, employees of Black Hills Aviation who were not Department of Defense personnel. Tanker 07 obtained authorization to enter the missile range's airspace from the missile range air controller. During the flight, Tanker 07 crashed on the missile range and both pilots were killed. The crash site was located approximately fifteen miles into the interior of the missile range, and was inside the testing site for the FAADS Project.
Probable cause:
Following the crash, an attorney from the Army Judge Advocate General's [JAG] Office at the missile range ordered markers to be placed at the crash site, and aerial photographs were taken. At that time, the Army JAG Officer anticipated litigation regarding the crash. Personnel at the missile range contacted the National Transportation Safety Board [NTSB] and the Army Safety Center in Fort Rucker, Alabama, and inquired whether either of these entities wished to investigate the crash. The NTSB replied that it was not interested in investigating, but would do so if specifically requested to do so by the missile range. Neither entity actually investigated the crash. Colonel Gary Epperson of the missile range was appointed to conduct an Army Regulation 15-6 Collateral Investigation into the facts and circumstances of the crash. The scope of the AR 15-6 investigation encompassed only the activities of the Army in regard to the crash of Tanker 07, and did not seek to determine the precise cause of the crash. Colonel Epperson's investigation consisted of viewing the crash scene, meeting with eyewitnesses to the crash, and asking for written statements.
Final Report:
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