Zone

Crash of a Piper PA-46-310P Malibu in Boyne Falls: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 23, 1986 at 1643 LT
Registration:
N43769
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Detroit – Boyne Falls
MSN:
46-8508007
YOM:
1985
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
1168
Circumstances:
After the pilot was cleared for an RNAV-B approach, the aircraft crashed on hilly terrain approximately 3 miles southeast of the airport at an elevation of 750 feet msl. Impact occurred after the aircraft had turned to the south-southeast and was descending. Minimum descent altitude (MDA) for the approach was 1,680 feet. No preimpact mechanical problems were found. Approximately 4 hours before takeoff, FSS personnel provided a weather briefing. There was no weather reporting station at the destination, but the area forecast was for marginal VMC with isolated visibilities of 3 to 5 miles in light snow showers. Pellston (approximately 25 miles away) was forecast for a chance of 1,200 feet overcast and 3 miles visibility with light snow showers, but this info was not given to the pilot. Later, when the pilot filed an IFR flight plan, he did not update his weather briefing. While en route, he checked the Pellston and Traverse City weather and was advised they had indefinite or obscured ceilings of 1,500 feet or less with gusty winds and light snow squalls. According to witnesses, there were snow showers or squalls in the accident area with 1/4 to 3/4 miles visibility. The missed approach procedure called for: right climbing turn to 3,000 feet, proceed to the IAF (8 miles south of airport) and hold. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: in flight encounter with weather
Phase of operation: approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
Findings
1. (f) preflight planning/preparation - inadequate - pilot in command
2. (f) preflight briefing service - inadequate - atc personnel (fss)
3. (f) weather condition - low ceiling
4. (f) weather condition - snow
5. (f) weather condition - high wind
6. (f) weather condition - gusts
7. (f) weather condition - obscuration
8. (f) weather condition - below approach/landing minimums
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: approach
Findings
9. (c) ifr procedure - not followed - pilot in command
10. (c) minimum descent altitude - not maintained - pilot in command
11. (c) descent - not corrected - pilot in command
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31T Cheyenne II in Pellston: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 13, 1978 at 1650 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N82271
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Bridgeville - Boyne Falls
MSN:
31-7820044
YOM:
1978
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
15000
Captain / Total hours on type:
600.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Boyne Falls Airport, the pilot was unable to locate the runway and decided to divert to the alternate airport of Pellston-Emmet County. On final, he encountered poor weather conditions with fog and a visibility reduced to 3/8 of a mile. In a 200 feet ceiling, he failed to realize his altitude was too low when the brand new twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed two miles short of runway 32. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, the visibility was below minimums.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees during a missed approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Visibility half a mile or less,
- Alternate forecast below minimums.
Final Report: