Zone

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-A90 King Air in Wheeling

Date & Time: Nov 13, 1997 at 2141 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N80GP
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bristol - Washington DC
MSN:
LJ-137
YOM:
1966
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
10000
Captain / Total hours on type:
100.00
Aircraft flight hours:
7290
Circumstances:
The pilots reported they experienced an engine fire during a missed approach in night, IMC conditions, and feathered the propeller and shut down the engine. On an approach to another airport, the airplane touched down short of the runway, traveled onto the runway, and then departed the left side of the runway. The pilot reported he could not maintain altitude due to ice accumulations, and the lack of power with one engine shut down. Examination of the wreckage revealed rotational damage to both engines and propellers consistent with operating engines. Neither propeller was in the feathered position. The pilot had been briefed about known moderate icing conditions, and isolated severe icing. The AFM recommended a minimum speed in icing conditions of 140 knots, and at less than 140 knots, ice could accumulate on the wings in unprotected areas. The pilot reported he flew the approach at 114 knots.
Probable cause:
The failure of the pilot to maintain the minimum required airspeed while operating in icing conditions which resulted in ice accumulations and an inadvertent stall while on approach. Factors were the icing conditions and the pilot's lack of experience in the airplane.
Final Report:

Crash of a Swearingen SA227TT Merlin IIIC in Bristol: 4 killed

Date & Time: Apr 1, 1993 at 2128 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N500AK
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Knoxville - Bristol
MSN:
TT-527
YOM:
1983
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
19105
Captain / Total hours on type:
235.00
Aircraft flight hours:
2294
Circumstances:
N500AK encountered icing in flight before start of ILS approach. Radar data showed that before reaching outer marker, it slowed in a manner that was consistent with a power reduction (or partial loss of power), then it entered a steep descent and crashed. Examination revealed engines were not operating at impact and that propellers had been feathered. No preimpact part failure or malfunction of engines, propellers or anti-ice system was found. There was evidence that engine inlet anti-ice annunciator lights and stability augmentation system (SAS) fault warning light were illuminated during impact. The engine manufacturer reported that flameouts had occurred in other aircraft, during or following operation in icing conditions, sometimes after descent into warmer air. Flight manual noted that if icing was encountered with anti-ice system off, select continuous ignition and then select engine and propeller heat (1 engine at a time, ensuring first engine was operating satisfactorily before selecting second engine) and engage sas heat. All four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the pilot to follow procedures concerning use of the engine inlet anti-ice system and/or continuous ignition while operating in icing conditions, which resulted in probable ice ingestion and loss of engine power; and the pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed while coping with the engine problem, which resulted in a stall. Factors related to the accident were: darkness, icing conditions, and engine inlet (nacelle) ice.
Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-159 Gulfstream I in Bristol

Date & Time: Jul 15, 1983 at 2108 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N68TG
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Knoxville - Bristol
MSN:
68
YOM:
1961
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
4927
Captain / Total hours on type:
427.00
Aircraft flight hours:
14759
Circumstances:
The copilot stated that when he began the approach to the destination airport, the weather condition was hazy and he delayed his descent slightly until he located the airport. When he saw the runway, he believed that they were a little too close, so he indicated to the captain that he would like to make a 360° turn. At that point, the captain assumed control of the aircraft and continued the approach to runway 04. According to witnesses, the aircraft touched down long. According to the captain, he tried several applications of the normal braking system, but got no response. He then tried the emergency brakes and asked the copilot to get on the brakes, but reported there was no braking. Subsequently the aircraft went off the end of the runway, went over an embankment and hit a fence. It came to rest on a second embankment where it exploded and burned. Tire marks with evidence of braking action were found starting 2,377 feet beyond the runway threshold. A required field length of approximately 2,600 feet was calculated for landing. No pre-impact part failure/malfunction was found. VASI lights were inoperative. Both pilots escaped with minor injuries.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: overrun
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
1. (f) light condition - dusk
2. (f) weather condition - haze/smoke
3. (f) airport facilities,visual apch slope ind (VASI) - not operating
4. (c) airspeed - misjudged - pilot in command
5. (c) distance - misjudged - pilot in command
6. (c) go-around - not performed - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: on ground/water collision with object
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
7. (f) object - fence
----------
Occurrence #3: on ground/water encounter with terrain/water
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
8. (f) terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Bristol

Date & Time: Sep 19, 1978 at 0907 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N7700L
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Johnson City - Bristol
MSN:
31-501
YOM:
1969
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1826
Captain / Total hours on type:
158.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to runway 23 at Bristol-Tri-Cities Airport, both engines stopped simultaneously. The pilot attempted an emergency landing and the airplane belly landed in a field located 2,600 feet short of runway. The pilot, sole on board, was uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Wheels-up landing on final approach following a double engine failure caused by a fuel exhaustion. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Inattentive to fuel supply,
- Fuel exhaustion,
- Forced landing off airport on land.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3A-197B on Mt Holston: 10 killed

Date & Time: Jan 8, 1959 at 2032 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N18941
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Nashville – Knoxville – Bristol
MSN:
2007
YOM:
1938
Flight number:
SE308
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Captain / Total flying hours:
7214
Captain / Total hours on type:
2674.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
2367
Copilot / Total hours on type:
432
Aircraft flight hours:
5675
Circumstances:
During a night approach to Bristol-Tr-Cities Airport, the airplane was too low and struck the slope of Mt Holston located 15 miles from runway 27 threshold. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all ten occupants were killed. The evidence indicates Flight 308 departed Nashville, Tennessee, with an inoperative radio compass. Although the flight was cleared by way of low frequency airway Green 5, it does not appear that the facilities defining this airway were used. Upon arriving in the Tri-Cities area the aircraft was east of its intended track and erroneously identified the reporting point from which an ILS approach procedure was to be initiated. During the instrument approach, which was conducted in snow showers, the flight missed the outer marker. The approach was continued under instrument conditions without utilizing the VOR facility which would have been of assistance in confirming the flight's position. Without having clearly established his position, the pilot flew 15 miles beyond the outer marker and descended to an altitude too low to clear high terrain in this area.
Probable cause:
The Board determines the probable cause of this accident was the failure of the pilot to identify Gray intersection properly and his decision to continue an ILS approach contrary to company and regulatory procedures.
Final Report: