Country
Crash of a Convair VT-29B in Trenton
Date & Time:
Jun 19, 1985 at 0702 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N155PA
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Trenton - Detroit
MSN:
322
YOM:
1953
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total hours on type:
2500.00
Aircraft flight hours:
16900
Circumstances:
The copilot begun takeoff with 2,700 rpm and 52 to 53.5' of manifold pressure (mp). Water injection was not used although 12 gallons was available. At 150 to 250 feet agl, the left engine lost power and the left propeller auto feathered. The captain took control and took action to verify left engine feathering. Neither pilot moved any of the other engine controls. A turn was initiated to return to the airport, but the aircraft began losing speed and altitude. Subsequently, it crash landed in a partly wooded area short of an open field and burned until firefighting personnel arrived. The impeller was demolished by fire, but evidence of debris from the impeller was found in the left engine intake and on top of its #3 and # 11 piston. The company's stated policy was to use water (wet takeoff), except when precluded by mechanical malfunction or lack of additional fluid; however, 4 dissimilar power charts were found in the aircraft. Takeoff weight was 38,670 lbs. Performance manual showed aircraft capable of 420 fpm climb with 12° of flaps, one prop feathered, landing gear up, dry power (no water). Max power setting was 2,700 rpm and 56' mp for dry takeoff; 2,800 rpm and 59.5' mp for wet takeoff. Both pilots were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (partial) - mech failure/malf
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
1. (c) eng assembly, blower/impeller/integral supercharger - failure, total
2. Propeller feathering - performed
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Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
Findings
3. (c) throttle/power control - improper use of - pilot in command
4. (f) information unclear - company/operator management
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
Findings
5. (f) object - tree(s)
6. (f) terrain condition - rough/uneven
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
1. (c) eng assembly, blower/impeller/integral supercharger - failure, total
2. Propeller feathering - performed
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
Findings
3. (c) throttle/power control - improper use of - pilot in command
4. (f) information unclear - company/operator management
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
Findings
5. (f) object - tree(s)
6. (f) terrain condition - rough/uneven
Final Report:
Crash of a Convair VT-29B in Cancún
Date & Time:
Mar 15, 1984
Operator:
Registration:
XA-JOV
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Cancún - Cozumel
MSN:
261
YOM:
1952
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Just after liftoff, while in initial climb, one of the engine failed. The aircraft stalled and crashed in a swamp located past the runway end. All occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure during initial climb for unknown reasons.
Crash of a Convair VT-29C in Roxas City
Date & Time:
Jun 4, 1978
Registration:
RP-C12
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
412
YOM:
1954
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After touchdown at Roxas City Airport, the airplane encountered difficulties to stop and overran. It lost its undercarriage and came to rest. Both pilots were uninjured.
Crash of a Convair VT-29D off Newport News: 7 killed
Date & Time:
Jan 9, 1975 at 1836 LT
Operator:
Registration:
52-5826
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Meridian - Langley
MSN:
52-25
YOM:
1954
Flight number:
M32
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Captain / Total hours on type:
1332.00
Aircraft flight hours:
14473
Circumstances:
While approaching Langley AFB by night on a flight from Meridian, Massachusetts, the airplane collided with a Cavalier Flyers Cessna 150 registered N50430 and carrying two people. Following the collision, both aircraft crashed into the James River, about four miles west of Newport News. Both aircraft were destroyed and all nine people were killed.
Probable cause:
The human limitation inherent in the see-and-avoid concept, which can be critical in a terminal area with a combination of controlled and uncontrolled traffic. A possible contributing factor was the reduced nighttime conspicuity of the Cessna against a background of city lights. The following findings were reported:
- No controlling agency,
- Not under radar contact,
- No traffic advisory issued,
- Continued versus uncontrolled traffic.
- No controlling agency,
- Not under radar contact,
- No traffic advisory issued,
- Continued versus uncontrolled traffic.
Final Report:
Crash of a Convair T-29D near Hamilton AFB: 13 killed
Date & Time:
May 4, 1970 at 0804 LT
Operator:
Registration:
52-5822
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Hamilton - Spokane
MSN:
52-21
YOM:
1954
Flight number:
Visco 57
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
13
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from runway 30 at Hamilton AFB (Novato, CA), the crew was cleared to climb at his discretion, following heading 360 till 2,600 feet then heading 340. Few seconds later, the airplane struck trees and crashed on a mountain slope located eight miles from the airbase. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. A passenger was seriously injured while 13 other occupants were killed. The crew from the 26th Division was completing a flight to Spokane, Washington. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were considered as good with three cloud layers at 900, 15,000 and 25,000 feet, a visibility of about 8 miles and a light wind from 340 at 2 knots.
Probable cause:
A second flight was completed in similar conditions few hours later and the investigators were unable to determine the exact cause of the accident.
Crash of a Convair T-29A at Wiesbaden AFB
Date & Time:
Feb 9, 1967 at 1041 LT
Operator:
Registration:
49-1917
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
184
YOM:
1950
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from runway 07 at Wiesbaden-Erbenheim AFB, while climbing, one of the engine lost power. The airplane lost height and crash landed in a field located in Breckenheim, about 6 km northeast of the airfield. All four crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was partially destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
Loss of engine power during initial climb.
Crash of a Convair T-29A on Babcock Peak: 3 killed
Date & Time:
Feb 25, 1962
Operator:
Registration:
49-1931
Survivors:
No
MSN:
198
YOM:
1950
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The airplane left Amarillo Airport on a liaison flight with three crew members on board. While cruising northwest of Durango, Colorado, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with a snowstorm. While cruising at an altitude of 14,000 feet, the airplane struck Babcock Peak. As the airplane failed to arrive at destination, SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found. The wreckage was eventually localized on May 18, 1962.
Crew:
Cpt Richard E. Bellamy, pilot,
Maj J. E. Lunsford, copilot,
S/Sgt E. L. Fairey, flight engineer.
Crew:
Cpt Richard E. Bellamy, pilot,
Maj J. E. Lunsford, copilot,
S/Sgt E. L. Fairey, flight engineer.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain in a snowstorm.
Crash of a Convair T-29B at Dobbins AFB: 2 killed
Date & Time:
Mar 20, 1956
Operator:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Harlingen – Dobbins – New York
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a flight from Harlingen AFB, Texas, to New York with an intermediate stop at Dobbins AFB, Georgia. The accident occurred in unclear circumstances, killing both crew members, Cpt Cecil Bryant and 1st Lt Donald Carillo.
Crash of a Convair T-29A-CO in Tucson: 4 killed
Date & Time:
Nov 4, 1954
Operator:
Registration:
50-0189
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
219
YOM:
1951
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
12
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Tucson Airport, while climbing by night, the crew informed ATC about an engine failure and received the permission to return for an emergency landing. While completing a last turn at low height, the aircraft hit power cables and crashed near the runway threshold. Four occupants were killed while 11 others were injured.
Probable cause:
Engine failure during initial climb.
