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Crash of a Cessna 340A in Chesapeake: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 16, 1999 at 0950 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N13DT
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Chesapeake – Bunnell
MSN:
340A-0063
YOM:
1976
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
4500
Captain / Total hours on type:
10.00
Aircraft flight hours:
3575
Circumstances:
After takeoff, the airplane returned to the departure airport for an emergency landing. The aircraft was observed in the vicinity of the runway threshold, about 500 feet above the ground, with it's left propeller feathered, when it entered a left bank which increased to about 90 degrees. The airplane then entered a spin, descended, and impacted the ground. Examination of wreckage revealed the camshaft of the left engine had failed as a result of a fatigue crack. No other abnormalities were observed of airframe or engine. The left engine had accumulated about 1,200 hours since overhaul. The pilot purchased the airplane about 1 month prior to the accident. At that time, he reported 700 hours of flight experience in multi-engine airplanes, of which, 10 hours were in the make and model of the accident airplane.
Probable cause:
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a single engine emergency landing, after experiencing a failure of the left engine. A factor in this accident was the failure of the left engine's camshaft due to a fatigue crack.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-61P Aerostar (Ted Smith 601P) in Chesapeake: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jan 2, 1997 at 1937 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N3CD
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Chesapeake – Atlanta
MSN:
61-0353-108
YOM:
1977
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
2100
Aircraft flight hours:
1949
Circumstances:
The airplane departed the airport and crashed shortly thereafter. Before departure, the airplane was fueled with 120 gallons of 100LL aviation fuel. According to the refueler, the airplane had full fuel tanks. The refueler also indicated the pilot had stated he wanted to be airborne prior to the arrival of bad weather. After the accident, the engines and propellers were disassembled and examined. No engine or propeller discrepancies were noted, except (post impact) heat damage.
Probable cause:
Failure of the pilot to maintain proper altitude/clearance above the ground after takeoff. A related factor was the pilot's self-induced pressure to depart before the arrival of bad weather.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II in Chesapeake

Date & Time: Nov 28, 1989 at 1815 LT
Registration:
N3359Q
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Washington - Chesapeake
MSN:
421B-0243
YOM:
1972
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
10800
Captain / Total hours on type:
35.00
Aircraft flight hours:
3760
Circumstances:
The pilot returned to the airport at dusk and made a visual approach to runway 23. He reported that as the aircraft was descending thru 350 feet msl on final approach, it was aligned with the runway, the airspeed was 105 knots and the flaps were extended 25°. However, the aircraft hit trees and crashed about 1/8 mile short of the runway. No mechanical malfunction was reported. The airport elevation was 20 feet. Both occupants were slightly injured.
Probable cause:
The pilot misjudged distance and altitude to the runway, while on final approach to land. The light condition at dusk was a related factor.
Final Report: