Crash of a Beechcraft 65-80 Queen Air in North Myrtle Beach

Date & Time: Jun 5, 1998 at 1531 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N215AB
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Malone - North Myrtle Beach
MSN:
LD-58
YOM:
1963
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
535
Captain / Total hours on type:
48.00
Aircraft flight hours:
6758
Circumstances:
After a 4.7 hour flight, while turning onto final, the airplane landed short. The pilot did not mention engine problems during a police interview. He subsequently told an FAA Inspector that the left engine failed, then later, that the right engine failed. He told the Safety Board that both engines failed. Adequate fuel was confirmed. The previous day, the right engine failed approaching another airport. The pilot performed a single-engine go-around, with landing gear and flaps down. He refused assistance and performed his own maintenance. He cleaned the fuel filters of both engines. During a ground runup, the right engine was hard to start, and required a high fuel flow to remain running. After the pilot re-cleaned the right fuel filter the engine ran fine. The flight was uneventful until the accident. Post-flight examination revealed all propeller blades bent back 90 degrees, with significant chordwise scoring on one blade per engine. The left engine fuel filter was relatively clean, with some brown residue which contained ferrous material. The right engine fuel filter was heavily coated with a white residue which contained aluminum, and brown material which contained ferrous material. The pilot received his multi-engine rating on April 22, 1998.
Probable cause:
The pilot's failure to follow emergency procedures, and his failure to maintain control of the airplane after a loss of power from one engine. Factors include fuel filter blockage, inadequate maintenance, and the pilot's lack of experience in multi-engine airplanes.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-80 Queen Air off Maiquetía: 9 killed

Date & Time: Dec 20, 1997 at 1805 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
YV-539C
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Los Roques – Caracas
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
At 1759LT, while descending to Caracas-Maiquetía-Simón Bolívar Airport by night, the pilot informed ATC about an engine failure. Six minutes later, the aircraft crashed in the sea about 22 km north of the airport. A passenger was rescued at 2205LT. The following night, two dead bodies were found while seven other occupants were never found. The aircraft sank and was lost.
Crew:
Ricardo Batija. †
Passengers:
Francesco Porco,
Fernando Guasamucare, †
Ileana González, †
Víctor Ruiz, †
Yelitza Arenas, †
Juan Cabezas, †
Ledda Martínez, †
Edwin Núñez, †
Paola de Guasamucare. †
Probable cause:
Engine failure for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-B80 Queen Air in Cannington

Date & Time: Feb 12, 1996 at 1004 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
VH-PCQ
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Cannington – Townsville
MSN:
LD-495
YOM:
1975
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3758
Captain / Total hours on type:
1023.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
634
Copilot / Total hours on type:
276
Circumstances:
The aircraft was engaged on a charter flight for the BHP Cannington mine, and departed from Townsville at 0630 EST. The flight was uneventful and the aircraft landed at Cannington at 0840. The aircraft was refuelled and at about 0945 seven passengers and baggage were loaded. The aircraft was started and taxied for runway 36. During this time the necessary checks were completed. The takeoff was commenced, and after the aircraft became airborne and was accelerating with a positive rate of climb, the landing gear was selected up. While the gear was still in transit, there was a sudden power loss from the left engine. The pilot described a simultaneous height loss, roll, pitch, and yaw accompanied by a sound similar to a buzz saw from the left engine. The pilot immediately recognised that the left engine had failed and attempted to maintain speed and directional control. Power was reduced on the right engine to maintain directional control, and it was the pilot's intention to land the aircraft with gear retracted beyond the end of the runway. However, the left wingtip struck a steel fence post, and this spun the aircraft to the left. The aircraft struck a low earth bank while travelling sideways and rearwards. When the aircraft came to rest, all windows were obscured and the pilot believed the aircraft was on fire. The pilot tried unsuccessfully to open the main cabin door, and the passengers were then evacuated through the emergency exit.
Probable cause:
The following findings were reported:
- The retaining bolts for the propeller gearbox stationary gear assembly failed when the aircraft had just become airborne.
- The pilot was unable to maintain directional control and landed the aircraft with landing gear retracted.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-B80 Queen Air near O. H. Ivie Lake: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 26, 1995 at 0950 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N9NP
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Waco - San Angelo
MSN:
LD-428
YOM:
1970
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
2502
Captain / Total hours on type:
593.00
Aircraft flight hours:
8127
Circumstances:
Witnesses observed the airplane contact the water while buzzing a lake, 'emerge from a cloud of water,' and enter a climb trailing white vapor. As the airplane approached the lake shore, the right propeller 'quit turning,' then the airplane entered a steep right bank and impacted the ground. The right propeller lever was found in the feather position. Propeller teardowns revealed signatures indicating the right propeller was feathered and the left propeller was operating in the low pitch range at impact. Disassembly of the engines revealed no evidence of any pre-impact mechanical anomalies, and, in the opinion of the manufacturer, 'both engines appeared capable of producing power prior to impact.' Toxicological tests showed 178.000 mg/dl (0.178%) ethanol in vitreous fluid, 90.000 mg/dl (0.09%) ethanol in blood, 114.000 mg/dl (0.114%) ethanol in brain fluid, 3.000 mg/dl acetaldehyde in brain fluid, 22.000 mg/dl acetaldehyde in blood, and 4.000 mg/dl 2-propanol in brain fluid. The levels of ethanol found indicate ingestion of alcohol, and the levels of acetaldehyde and 2-propanol (metabolites of ethanol) detected support ingestion of alcohol.
Probable cause:
The pilot's impairment of judgment and performance due to alcohol which resulted in his improper decision to shutdown an engine, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed for single-engine flight.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-B80 Queen Air in Great Bend: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 12, 1995 at 0843 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N7057J
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Sioux Falls - Fargo
MSN:
LD-291
YOM:
1966
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
6100
Captain / Total hours on type:
250.00
Aircraft flight hours:
6887
Circumstances:
The airplane was cruising at 6,000 feet where it encountered icing conditions. When cleared to 3,600 feet, the pilot reported that one engine lost all power and the other one was running rough. The airplane continued the descent. After about ten minutes the airplane departed controlled flight, reversing heading and impacting near vertically in the terrain. A post accident examination of the left engine (which was feathered) found an induction duct which had deteriorated and begun to come apart. Foreign object material in the compressor assembly similar in appearance to material from the duct was found. The number five piston had a hole burned through it.
Probable cause:
The pilot/mechanic's inadequate maintenance (inspection) of aircraft and the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed (VMC). Factors were icing conditions, deteriorated induction air ducting, and failure of a piston assembly.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-A80-8800 Excalibur in Hamilton: 6 killed

Date & Time: Mar 29, 1995 at 1225 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ZK-TIK
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Hamilton – New Plymouth
MSN:
LD-249
YOM:
1965
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
1099
Captain / Total hours on type:
71.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
587
Aircraft flight cycles:
10137
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Hamilton Airport runway 36 on a scheduled service to New Plymouth on behalf of Eagle Airways. Six minutes after takeoff, while climbing to an altitude of 5,000 feet, the crew informed ATC about the failure of the left engine and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. Four minutes later, the right turn failed as well. The airplane lost height and crashed in an open field located 9 km from Hamilton Airport. All six occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of both engines after the crew failed to realize that the fuel selector was positioned on the wrong fuel tank. The following contributing factors were reported:
- After the second engine failure, the crew failed to plan effectively for a forced landing, and ultimately failed to maintain controlled flight,
- Probable factors contributing to these failures include: workload, time pressure, unfamiliarity with the situation in which they found themselves and inexperience on type.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft A65-80 Queen Air near Moca: 4 killed

Date & Time: May 10, 1994 at 1330 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N8021Q
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Puerto Plata - Willemstad
MSN:
LD-204
YOM:
1965
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Fifteen minutes after takeoff from Puerto Plata-Gregorio Luperón Airport, the pilot informed ATC about technical problems with the right engine and was cleared to return. Shortly later, the aircraft lost speed and height then crashed in a wooded area located near Moca, bursting into flames. All four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine for unknown reasons. It was reported that the right engine was shut down and its propeller feathered at impact.

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-B80 Queen Air in Coron: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 17, 1993 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RP-C2446
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Coron - Manila
MSN:
LD-437
YOM:
1970
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Coron-Francisco B. Reyes Airport, while climbing in poor weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed. Both occupants were killed. The aircraft was on its way to Maila, carrying a load of lobsters and crabs.

Crash of a Beechcraft B80 Queen Air near Palencia: 13 killed

Date & Time: Nov 21, 1993 at 1647 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
TG-ACP
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Flores – Guatemala City
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
12
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
13
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Flores Airport on a charter flight to Guatemala City, carrying 12 passengers and one pilot, among them three American citizens. The pilot started the descent to Guatemala City-La Aurora in good weather conditions despite some mountains were shrouded in clouds. On approach, the aircraft struck a mountain located near Palencia, about 20 km northeast of La Aurora Airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all 13 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-80 Queen Air in La Ponderosa

Date & Time: Aug 22, 1992
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CP-1039
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
MSN:
LD-143
YOM:
1963
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in a field. Occupant's fate unknown.