Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Durant

Date & Time: Aug 21, 2023 at 1048 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N3589X
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tulsa - Tulsa
MSN:
31-8052138
YOM:
1980
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, departed Tulsa-Richard Lloyd Jones Jr. (Riverside) Airport in the morning on an on-demand special mission. After a pass over Sand Springs, west of Tulsa, the airplane continued to the south then the pilot completed three circuits over McAlester before continuing to the southwest. In unclear circumstances, the airplane caught fire in flight and the pilot diverted to Durant-Eaker Field. After landing on runway 17, the pilot stopped the airplane and was able to evacuate without injuries. The airplane was totally destroyed by fire.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Hillcrest

Date & Time: Apr 7, 2023 at 0605 LT
Operator:
Registration:
VH-HJE
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bankstown – Brisbane
MSN:
31-7852074
YOM:
1978
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Bankstown Airport on a cargo flight to Brisbane, carrying one pilot and medical stuffs. While descending to Brisbane-Archerfield Airport, the pilot encountered technical problems with the engines that lost power and attempted an emergency landing. The airplane impacted trees and crashed in a grassy area located along a railway road in Hillcrest, some 10 km south of Archerfield Airport. The pilot escaped with minor injuries.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Middlefield

Date & Time: Jan 18, 2023 at 0903 LT
Registration:
N101MA
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Youngstown – Detroit – Minneapolis
MSN:
31-7752186
YOM:
1977
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
9275
Captain / Total hours on type:
750.00
Aircraft flight hours:
17154
Circumstances:
According to a preliminary review of airplane track data and pilot statements provided to law enforcement and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the purpose of the flight was to pick up a sixth passenger at Willow Run Airport (KYIP), Detroit, Michigan, before continuing to Minneapolis, Minnesota. As the airplane climbed through about 6,000 feet mean sea level (msl) in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), the pilot observed oil leaking from the right engine nacelle. About the time the airplane reached about 7,400 feet msl, the pilot noted a loss of right engine power. He secured the engine, declared an emergency, requested to divert to the closest airport, and the air traffic controller vectored the airplane for the RNAV RWY 11 approach at 7GA. The pilot successfully completed the approach and reported that the airplane touched down in the “first one-third” of the landing runway “about 120 knots with zero flaps.” The pilot determined that he would not stop the airplane before it reached the departure end of the 3,500-ft-long runway, but chose to continue on the ground rather than abort the landing with one engine inoperative and climb the airplane back into IMC for another instrument approach. The airplane overran the departure end of the runway, continued through the grass overrun, and impacted a hill and a fence before coming to rest upright about 600 feet beyond the runway end. All three landing gear collapsed and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Medellín: 8 killed

Date & Time: Nov 21, 2022 at 1015 LT
Operator:
Registration:
HK-5121
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Medellín – Pizarro
MSN:
31-7652004
YOM:
1976
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was chartered by the Grupo San Germán Express to carry a team of six people from Medellín to Pizarro, Chocó. Shortly after takeoff from runway 02 at Medellín-Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport, while in initial climb, the crew encountered engine problems. The airplane went out of control and crashed onto a house located in the district of Belén Rosales, less than 500 metres from the runway end, bursting into flames. The house and the aircraft were destroyed and all 8 occupants were killed.
Crew:
Julián Aladino, pilot,
Sergio Guevara Delgado, copilot.
Passengers:
Jorge Cantillo Martínez,
Dubán Ovalle Quintero,
Anthony Mosquera Blanquiceth,
Pedro Pablo Serna,
Melissa Pérez Cuadros,
Nicolás Jiménez.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Cobán

Date & Time: Apr 3, 2022
Operator:
Registration:
PT-ECU
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in bushes near Cobán, Guatemala, while engaged in an illegal flight. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and no one was found on the scene. The registration seems to be false.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chiefain in Medford: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 5, 2021 at 1652 LT
Registration:
N64BR
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Medford - Fallon
MSN:
31-7752124
YOM:
1977
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
2167
Captain / Total hours on type:
1520.00
Aircraft flight hours:
8809
Circumstances:
The airplane was departing into instrument meteorological conditions using a standard instrument departure. The takeoff instructions consisted of making a climbing right turn direct to a nondirectional beacon. After departing, the pilot made a radio communication to an air traffic controller asking if he will tell him when to turn. The controller replied that he would not be calling his turn and that the pilot should fly the departure as published making a climbing right turn to overfly the approach end of the runway. The pilot acknowledged the communication, which was his last transmission. The airplane made a 360° turn and descended below the cloud layer. The airplane then climbed back into the cloud layer and made an inverted loop, descending into the ground in a near-vertical attitude. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures. Recorded audio of the airplane before the accident was consistent with the engines operating. The signatures on both propellers were consistent with one another and consistent with the engines operating at a similar rpm. The pilot was qualified and recently underwent recurrent training. The reasons the pilot became spatially disoriented could not definitely determined. The pilot left the anti-collision lights on while in the clouds, which may have resulted in him having flicker vertigo.
Probable cause:
The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during the initial climb into clouds due to spatial disorientation, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain off South Bimini: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 16, 2021 at 2142 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N827RD
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
South Bimini – Miami-Opa Locka
MSN:
31-7652094
YOM:
1976
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
2085
Aircraft flight hours:
7102
Circumstances:
The airplane crashed moments after takeoff from the South Bimini Int’l Airport (MYBS), Bimini, Bahamas. The private flight departed MYBS with intended final destination of Opa Locka Airport (KOPF), Opa Locka, Florida, USA. The pilot sustained serious injuries and after being seen by medical personnel in South Bimini, was flown to Nassau, Bahamas for further medical attention. The passenger who occupied the right seat of the aircraft, succumbed to injuries he sustained as a result of the initial impact and subsequent crash sequence and subsequent submersion in the waters at the end of the runway environment. The pilot was a US certified commercial pilot with ratings for airplane land, single and multi-engine as well as an instrument airplane rating. The pilot’s medical certificate was valid at the time of the accident. The passenger (pilot’s son) also held a valid US certified private pilot – single engine land – airplane certificate. It is unknown what role (if any) the passenger (son) played during the takeoff to crash sequence. The weather conditions at the time of the accident was night (instrument meteorological conditions). A weak high pressure ridging was forecasted to continue to dominate the weather over the Bahamas throughout the night. However, no significant weather was anticipated.
Probable cause:
The AAIA has determined the probable cause of this accident to be loss of control inflight (LOC-I), resulting in uncontrolled flight into terrain (ocean). The cause of this loss of control could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Salitre: 6 killed

Date & Time: Apr 7, 2021 at 1200 LT
Operator:
Registration:
HC-CVC
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Nueva Loja – Guayaquil
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane (a PA-31 Panther II variant) departed Nueva Loja-Lago Agrio Airport at 1023LT on an ambulance flight to Guayaquil, carrying one patient, one nurse, two doctors and two pilots. The descent to Guayaquil-José Joaquín de Olmedo Airport was started when the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in the Río Salitre, near Salitre, about 35 km north of Guayaquil Airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all six occupants were killed.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Sergio Butrón Casas

Date & Time: Mar 3, 2021 at 1447 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N640WA
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Morelia - Chetumal
MSN:
31-8252065
YOM:
1982
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The pilot was approaching Chetumal Airport when he reported engine problems. He elected to make an amergency landing when the aircraft crash landed in an open field located in Sergio Butrón Casas, about 25 km west of Chetumal Airport. Both occupants were slightly injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain near Cooper Landing: 3 killed

Date & Time: Nov 29, 2019 at 1911 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N4087G
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Anchorage – Seward
MSN:
31-8152127
YOM:
1981
Flight number:
SVX36
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
35000
Captain / Total hours on type:
1200.00
Aircraft flight hours:
5502
Circumstances:
On November 29, 2019, about 1911 Alaska standard time, a Piper PA-31-350 airplane, N4087G, was destroyed by impact and postcrash fire when it collided with mountainous terrain about 15 miles west of Cooper Landing, Alaska. The three occupants; the airline transport pilot, a flight nurse, and the flight paramedic were fatally injured. The airplane was operated by Fly 4 You Inc., doing business as Security Aviation, as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 visual flight rules air ambulance flight. Dark night visual meteorological conditions existed at the departure and destination locations and company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight departed Ted Stevens International Airport (PANC), Anchorage, Alaska, about 1848, destined for Seward Airport (PAWD), Seward, Alaska. Dispatch records indicated that, on November 29, Providence Seward Medical Center emergency clinic personnel contacted multiple air ambulance companies with a "weather check" for possible air ambulance transportation of a patient from Seward to Anchorage. The first company contacted was Guardian Flight, who declined the flight at 1624 due to limited daylight hours. The second company, LifeMed Alaska, declined the flight at 1637 due to weather. The third and final company contacted for the flight was Medevac Alaska. Their dispatch officer was not notified of the previous declined flight requests and forwarded the request to Security Aviation, who is their sole air charter provider. At 1731 Security Aviation accepted the flight, and Medevac Alaska flight SVX36 was staffed with a nurse and paramedic. A preliminary review of archived Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) radar and automatic dependent surveillance (ADS-B) data revealed that the accident airplane departed PANC and flew south about 3,000 ft mean sea level (msl) toward the Sterling Highway. The airplane was then observed descending to 2,200 ft msl while flying a right racetrack pattern before flying into the valley toward Cooper Landing. The last data point indicated that at 1911:14 the airplane was over the west end of Jean Lake at 2,100 ft msl, on a 127° course, and 122 kts groundspeed. Ground witnesses who were in vehicles on the Sterling Highway near milepost 63, reported that they saw the lights of the airplane flying over the highway that night. One witness stated that he saw the airplane west of the mountains turn in a circle as it descended and then entered the valley. He observed the wings rocking back and forth and while he was looking elsewhere, he heard an explosion and observed a large fire on the mountainside. Another witness reported seeing the airplane flying low and explode when it impacted the mountain. Witnesses to the fire called 911 and observed the wreckage high on the mountainside burning for a long time after impact. The airplane was reported overdue by the chief pilot for Security Aviation and the FAA issued an alert notice (ALNOT) at 2031. The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center dispatched an MH-60 helicopter to the last known position and located the burning wreckage that was inaccessible due to high winds in the area. On December 1, 2019, the Alaska State Troopers coordinated a mountain recovery mission with Alaska Mountain Rescue Group. The wreckage was observed on the mountain at an elevation of about 1,425 ft msl in an area of steep, heavily tree-covered terrain near the southeast end of Jean Lake in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. The airplane was highly fragmented and burned, however all major airplane components were accounted for. Multiple large trees around the wreckage were fractured and indicated an easterly heading prior to the initial impact.