Crash of a Volpar Turboliner 18 in Cleveland: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 15, 1992 at 0912 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N706M
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Cleveland - Syracuse
MSN:
12360
YOM:
1970
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
4768
Captain / Total hours on type:
91.00
Aircraft flight hours:
16115
Circumstances:
After rotation, during the initial climb, the nose of the airplane pitched up to approximately 60° above the horizon. The airplane continued to climb until about 250 feet above the ground, then rolled right, pitched down and descended. The airplane impacted the ground, approximately 45° nose down, 650 feet to the right of the runway. Post accident investigation of the wreckage revealed the elevator jammed in the full up deflection. The upper end of the elevator control rod was found not connected to the elevator, but was found laying aft, wedged between the tail cone and the elevator faring, holding the elevator in the full up position. The control rod connecting bolt was found laying in the bottom of the tail cone undamaged. The washer, nut and cotter pin related to the control rod connecting bolt were not found. The elevator had been removed, recovered and then installed by company maintenance personnel 166 flight hours prior to the accident. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
The improper installation of the elevator by company maintenance personnel and the lack of proper inspections by a company certified mechanic/inspector and the faa certified mechanic with inspector authorization. A factor in this accident was an insufficiently defined maintenance procedures that allowed multiple maintenance tasks to be combined into a single line entry.
Final Report:

Crash of a Volpar Turboliner 18 in Baltimore: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 10, 1992 at 1535 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N7770B
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Dayton - Baltimore
MSN:
AF-320
YOM:
1951
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
2658
Captain / Total hours on type:
657.00
Aircraft flight hours:
26436
Circumstances:
The pilot supervised the loading of the airplane. According to info from a person that helped load the plane, the bill of loading, and actual weights and measurements of the cargo after the accident, the plane was loaded to a gross weight of 11,979 lbs with the cg 2.7 inches behind the aft limit. At the destination, the flight was vectored for an ILS runway 10 approach. About 3 miles from the runway, the pilot was told to make a missed approach due to inadequate separation from traffic. The pilot acknowledged, but soon thereafter, radar contact with the plane was lost. Witnesses saw the plane descend from a low cloud layer before it crashed. One witness said its wings were moving from side to side and the plane was falling faster than it was moving forward. There was evidence the plane had impacted in a flat attitude with little forward movement. Four cargo straps were found loose with no sign of tensile overload; 3 others and a restraining board were found loose as if they had not been used. No preimpact mechanical problem was found. The wind was from 090° at 21 gusting 32 kts. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the pilot to properly secure the cargo, which allowed a shift in the center of gravity during a missed approach maneuver and resulted in subsequent loss of aircraft control and flying speed. A factor related to the accident was failure of the pilot to assure the airplane was loaded within its proper weight and balance limitations.
Final Report:

Crash of a Volpar Turboliner 18 in Saint Clair Shores

Date & Time: Nov 19, 1987 at 1725 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N10AS
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Newark - Detroit
MSN:
N-467
YOM:
1950
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3080
Captain / Total hours on type:
80.00
Aircraft flight hours:
15800
Circumstances:
While enroute to home base after delivery of revenue cargo, the pilot experienced a total loss of engine power in both engines due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot performed emergency procedures and set the aircraft up for a forced landing in a grassy field on the edge of a lake. The aircraft initially impacted a tree and the rocky berm of the shoreline. The contact with the berm caused the landing gear to break off, the aircraft swerved around and skidded backwards before coming to a rest about 150 feet from the lakeshore. Post accident investigation revealed less than 2 gallons of fuel in each wing tank.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (total) - nonmechanical
Phase of operation: descent
Findings
1. (c) fluid, fuel - exhaustion
2. Engine instruments, fuel quantity gage - incorrect
3. Inattentive - pilot in command
4. (c) planning/decision - poor - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
Findings
5. Object - tree(s)
6. Terrain condition - berm
7. Terrain condition - rough/uneven
8. Landing gear - collapsed
Final Report:

Crash of a Volpar Turboliner 18 in Memphis: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 9, 1987 at 2215 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N9231
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Memphis - Cincinnati
MSN:
3829
YOM:
1971
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
1913
Captain / Total hours on type:
64.00
Aircraft flight hours:
18702
Circumstances:
After takeoff pic was told by tower that tail stand, used to prevent aircraft from tipping on tail when loaded, was still attached to aircraft. Pic requested teardrop turn back to departure runway. Approach controller stated he saw mode C indication of 700 feet. Airport elevation is 332 feet. Aircraft was returning to runway 36R when it stalled, recovery was attempted, and aircraft impacted ground prior to completion of level off. Aircraft was 379 lbs over max takeoff weight and cg was at least 3 inches forward of the limit. No record of load manifest was found. Pic had low pic experience and received 2.7 documented flight hours with the operator's instructor pilot including his 135 competency check ride of 1.1 hours. Operator's initial training certification of pic showed 5 hours of flight training. Aircraft was a modified Beechcraft TC-45J initially built in 1943 and rebuilt by Hamilton in 1971. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
Findings
1. (f) aircraft preflight - inadequate - pilot in command
2. (f) aircraft weight and balance - not performed - pilot in command
3. (f) lack of total experience in type of aircraft - pilot in command
4. Light condition - bright night
5. (f) inadequate initial training - company/operator management
6. (f) diverted attention - pilot in command
7. (c) airspeed (vs) - not maintained - pilot in command
8. (c) stall - inadvertent - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Final Report:

Crash of a Volpar Super Turboliner 18 in Jeddah

Date & Time: Jul 19, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HB-GGG
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
AF-357
YOM:
1953
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in Jeddah.

Crash of a Volpar Turboliner II (G18S) in Dutch Harbor: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jul 22, 1976 at 0905 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N600WA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Cold Bay - Dutch Harbor
MSN:
BA-463
YOM:
1959
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
15868
Captain / Total hours on type:
3605.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Dutch Harbor, the crew encountered poor weather conditions. On final, the twin engine airplane was too low and struck the ground few miles short of runway and crashed. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain on final approach following improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Fog,
- CLGS below 1,000 feet,
- Areas of visibility below 3 miles in drizzle and fog.
Final Report:

Crash of a Volpar Turboliner 18 into the Pacific Ocean: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 22, 1975
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N3674G
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Midway Island - Adak
MSN:
AF-689
YOM:
1954
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Lost without trace while completing a ferry flight from Midway Island to Adak, Aleutians Islands. The pilot did not send any distress call. SAR operations did not find any trace from the aircraft nor the pilot.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Volpar Turboliner 18 in Lupine: 6 killed

Date & Time: Oct 1, 1974 at 2140 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N357V
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Fairbanks - Lupine
MSN:
AF-680
YOM:
1954
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
11197
Captain / Total hours on type:
191.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Lupine Airstrip, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with low ceiling, fog and snow falls. On final, he decided to make a low pass and reduced his altitude when the airplane stalled and crashed. All six occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The crew continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions and failed to maintain flying speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Improper operation of powerplant,
- Airframe ice,
- Low ceiling, fog and snow falls,
- Icing conditions,
- Weather was given via radio by oil company radio operator,
- Over max takeoff and landing weight.
Final Report:

Crash of a Volpar Turboliner 18 near Johannesburg: 3 killed

Date & Time: Sep 22, 1972
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ZS-PRA
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Johannesburg – Pretoria
MSN:
4645
YOM:
1969
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Johannesburg-Jan Smuts Airport, while climbing, the twin engine airplane exploded in mid-air and crashed in flames 12 km north of the airfield. All three occupants were killed.

Crash of a Volpar Turboliner 18 in Cleveland: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 27, 1971 at 0344 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N351V
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Cleveland - Detroit
MSN:
AF-295
YOM:
1953
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
6473
Captain / Total hours on type:
174.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after a night takeoff from Cleveland-Hopkins Airport, the left engine lost power. The airplane lost speed and height, struck trees and the roof of a house and crashed. A pilot was killed while the second occupants was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reason. The following factors were reported:
- The pilot-in-command failed to maintain flying speed,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Improperly loaded aircraft, weight and CofG.,
- Left engine lost power for unknown reason,
- Exceeded forward CofG limit by 6,36 inches.
Final Report: