Zone

Crash of a Cessna 414 Chancellor in Monroe

Date & Time: Nov 17, 1998 at 1855 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N30ML
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Monroe - Dallas
MSN:
414-0005
YOM:
1969
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
313
Captain / Total hours on type:
54.00
Aircraft flight hours:
6415
Circumstances:
The airplane impacted terrain during takeoff initial climb in dark night conditions with a 100 ft ceiling and 1/4 mile visibility in fog. The instrument rated private pilot sustained serious injuries and does not recall the flight. No discrepancies were found with the aircraft, flight instruments, or engines that would have contributed to the accident. A weather briefing was obtained and an IFR flight plan was filed. The pilot had 312.8 hrs total time (54.2 hrs in this aircraft), 61 hrs night flight time (36.9 hrs in this aircraft) and 26.8 hrs actual instrument time (19.6 hrs in this aircraft). Toxicological findings were positive for benzoylecgonine (metabolite of cocaine), ethanol, and cocaethylene (substance formed when cocaine and alcohol are simultaneously ingested) in a urine sample subpoenaed by the NTSB from the hospital that treated the pilot. Benzoylecgonine can be found in urine for 3 to 5 days after cocaine use. Since blood was not available for analysis, it could not be determined how much of each substance was ingested and when they were ingested. The pilot stated that he was not under the influence of cocaine or alcohol on the day of the crash.
Probable cause:
The pilot's spatial disorientation which resulted in a loss of aircraft control. Factors were fog, low ceilings, and dark night conditions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2B-20 Marquise in Kenefic: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 7, 1991 at 0510 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N106MA
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Tulsa - Dallas
MSN:
0184
YOM:
1970
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
3850
Captain / Total hours on type:
1400.00
Circumstances:
The pilots of Mitsubishi MU-2, N106MA, and a Cessna 310 with no registration number elected to fly in formation at night, though neither pilot had formal training in formation flying nor experience in night formation. They joined up in flight and the MU-2 pilot was flying on the wing of the Cessna 310. The MU-2 pilot communicated that he was going to change positions from the right side to the left side of the 310C. The Cessna 310 pilot and his passenger lost sight of the MU-2 when it dropped back to a position in the rear of the Cessna 310. Soon thereafter, the two aircraft collided and the MU-2 went out of control and crashed. The right horizontal stabilizer was torn from the Cessna 310 and the 310's empennage, right wing and props were damaged, but it was landed without injury to its occupants. An investigation revealed the tail light of the Cessna 310 was inoperative. Sole on board, the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
Improper planning/decision by the pilots of both aircraft, and the mitsubishi pilot's misjudgment of his position, while attempting to fly formation at night with an aircraft that did not have all navigation lights operative. Factors related to the accident were: both pilot's lack of training in the type of operation, darkness, inoperative navigation (tail) light on the Cessna 310, and the lack of visual perception that would have been available to the mitsubishi pilot.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 208 Caravan I in Bulverde

Date & Time: Sep 4, 1987 at 2245 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N807LA
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
San Antonio – Dallas
MSN:
208-0026
YOM:
1985
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3100
Captain / Total hours on type:
750.00
Aircraft flight hours:
222
Circumstances:
After leveling at 5,500 feet, the standby power annunciator light illuminated, followed by loss of oil pressure. The pilot turned back toward the airport, but there was a progressive loss of engine power and the prop went to a feathered position. During an emergency landing at night, the aircraft hit a power line and trees, then crashed. During an engine teardown, disassembly of the reduction gearbox scavenge pump revealed that a retaining nut and tang washer (w/i the scavenge pump) had backed off and lodged between the spur gears, which resulted in a sheared scavenge pump drive shaft. In turn, this resulted in the loss of oil pressure and allowed the prop to feather.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: airframe/component/system failure/malfunction
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
1. (c) lubricating system, oil scavenge pump - loose
2. (c) lubricating system, oil scavenge pump - jammed
3. (c) lubricating system, oil scavenge pump - failure, total
4. Initiated
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of engine power (total) - mech failure/malf
Phase of operation: cruise
Findings
5. (c) fluid, oil - starvation
----------
Occurrence #3: forced landing
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
----------
Occurrence #4: in flight collision with object
Phase of operation: landing
Findings
6. (f) light condition - night
7. (f) object - wire, transmission
8. (f) object - tree(s)
----------
Occurrence #5: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 441 Conquest in Dallas: 4 killed

Date & Time: Oct 1, 1985 at 1328 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N400BG
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
New Orleans - Dallas
MSN:
441-0069
YOM:
1978
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
7000
Captain / Total hours on type:
2200.00
Aircraft flight hours:
2227
Circumstances:
A student pilot in a Cessna 152, N5522L, had departed Redbird Airport at Dallas. He was practicing solo maneuvers in a privately designated practice area that overlapped the extended inbound course to runway 31L and 31R at Love Field. At the same time, a Cessna 441, N400BG, was being vectored for a back course ILS to rwy 31R. DFW approach control cleared N400BG to continue descending to 3,000 feet and fly heading 290°. While N400BG was descending thru approximately 3,600 feet, about 14 miles southeast of Love Field, the two aircraft collided. The Cessna 152 pilot was maneuvering at or near the edge of the practice area when the collision occurred. An investigation revealed the Cessna 152 had just completed an approximately 180° turn toward an easterly heading. Both aircraft were demolished in a quartering head-on collision. Radar info from both aircraft was displayed on the controller's scope. The Cessna 152 was depicted as a 1200 beacon code; however, it was not equipped with a mode C (altitude reporting) transponder. The controller did not provide a traffic advisory for the Cessna 441 pilot; but, in this situation, an advisory was not mandatory. All five pilot on both aircraft were killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: midair collision
Phase of operation: descent
Findings
1. (f) in-flight planning/decision - improper - pilot of other aircraft
2. (f) monitoring - inadequate - atc personnel(dep/apch)
3. (c) visual lookout - inadequate - pilot in command
4. (c) visual lookout - inadequate - pilot of other aircraft
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 200 Super King Air in Quinlan

Date & Time: Aug 12, 1985 at 1015 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N100HC
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Dallas - Dallas
MSN:
BB-98
YOM:
1976
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
13420
Captain / Total hours on type:
320.00
Aircraft flight hours:
3040
Circumstances:
N100HC and N33177 collided due to the failure of both pilots to maintain adequate visual separation. The pilot-in-command of N100HC made a poor decision by performing the simulated emergency descent on a low altitude airway. The southerly descending maneuver was performed between 5,500 and 3,500 feet, which coincided with the westerly cruising altitude of N33177. The pilot of N33177 would have been hindered to an unknown degree by the high wing design of the aircraft from perceiving N100HC as it descended at a convergence angle of about 90°. The crew of N100HC saw N33177 just prior to collision and initiated an unsuccessful rolling pull-up evasive maneuver. A portion of the right wing and the empennage of N33177 were separated during the collision resulting in its uncontrolled vertical descent. Post crash fire consumed the wreckage. Damage to N100HC led to a forced landing 7 1/2 miles from the mid air collision. Both pilots on board the Beech were unhurt.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: midair collision
Phase of operation: maneuvering
Findings
1. (c) in-flight planning/decision - poor - pilot in command
2. Emergency procedure - simulated - pilot in command
3. (c) visual lookout - not maintained - pilot in command
4. (c) inattentive - pilot in command
5. Remedial action - attempted - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: maneuvering
----------
Occurrence #3: forced landing
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
----------
Occurrence #4: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: landing - flare/touchdown
Findings
6. Terrain condition - ground
7. Landing gear, main gear - failure, total
8. Landing gear, main gear - overload
9. Landing gear, nose gear - failure, total
10. Landing gear, nose gear - overload
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 35 in Waco: 3 killed

Date & Time: Dec 20, 1984 at 1638 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N95TC
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Waco - Dallas
MSN:
35-020
YOM:
1975
Location:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
2454
Captain / Total hours on type:
387.00
Aircraft flight hours:
5276
Circumstances:
No evidence of preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction was noted during wreckage examination. The FAA operations inspector who was on board at the time of the accident stated there were no aircraft problems involved. The pic, who was in the process of taking her type rating checkride in the aircraft, failed to maintain directional control during a simulated engine failure after reaching V1 speed during the takeoff run. The total flight experience for the pic was 2,454 hours, most of which was acquired in multi-engine aircraft, with 387 hours being in the make and model aircraft involved in the accident. All listed experience in this make and model was obtained as second-in-command. All three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
1. (f) emergency procedure - simulated - check pilot
2. (c) procedures/directives - not followed - pilot in command
3. (c) directional control - not maintained - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: dragged wing, rotor, pod, float or tail/skid
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
4. (f) emergency procedure - simulated - check pilot
5. (c) rotation - excessive - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680F in Norman: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 28, 1983 at 0819 LT
Registration:
N6139X
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Dallas – Norman – Wichita
MSN:
680-0920-2
YOM:
1960
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The aircraft crashed after starting a go-around or aborted landing at Norman, OK. The aircraft was on a cross-country flight from Dallas to Wichita. There was no radio communication with the aircraft after it was cleared to land. The approach looked ok but on short final the aircraft suddenly turned right, leveled then entered a steep climbing right turn and continue to roll until inverted then pitched nose down until crashing. The pilot in the right seat had reportedly worked late the night before installing what appeared to be an auxiliary fuel system in the cabin. The aircraft had just been sold and the identity and location of the owner was not established. No one claimed the wreckage. Evidence revealed that both propellers were rotating at high rpm at impact. The fire after impact burned most intensely and persistently in the center of the cabin where the remains of what appeared to be an auxiliary fuel system were found. No pre-impact malfunctions or failures were found. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: go-around (VFR)
Findings
1. (c) reason for occurrence undetermined - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Gulfstream 690C Jetprop 840 in Hughes: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 29, 1982 at 1610 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N5957K
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Memphis - Dallas
MSN:
690-11720
YOM:
1982
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
6830
Captain / Total hours on type:
182.00
Aircraft flight hours:
55
Circumstances:
The aircraft had been on sales demonstration flights and was on a delivery flight from Memphis, TN to Dallas, TX. The plane was observed departing at 1550 CDT in a max performance climb. Radar info from mode C of the transponder returns indicated that the aircraft climbed from 1,000 to 16,000 feet in 7 min and 14 seconds. Level flight was indicated at 16,300 ft from 1558:16 to 1601:17 CDT. The last alt return was from 16,000 ft at 2201:07. Two more returns were received at 2201:49 and 2202:08, but with no altitude readout. At about that time, the aircraft was observed spiraling down, counterclockwise, with a portion of the left wing missing. The wing tip (outer wing panel outboard from about wing station 190), left aileron and left engine tail cone panel were found about 3 miles from the main wreckage impact point. An examination revealed that the wing panel separation occurred upward from positive overload forces. No evidence was found of fatigue or pre-existing failure. Light to moderate turbulence was reported between 14,000 and 18,000 ft msl. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: airframe/component/system failure/malfunction
Phase of operation: unknown
Findings
1. Weather condition - turbulence
2. (c) wing, spar - overload
3. (c) design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded - pilot in command
4. (f) overconfidence in personal ability - pilot in command
5. (f) overconfidence in aircraft's ability - pilot in command
6. Wing - separation
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: unknown
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Final Report:

Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2-60 Marquise in McLeod: 5 killed

Date & Time: Sep 2, 1981 at 1653 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N233MA
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Dallas - Thomson
MSN:
251
YOM:
1973
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
2526
Captain / Total hours on type:
155.00
Circumstances:
While cruising at an altitude of 21,000 feet, the pilot was cleared to climb to 23,000 feet when the airplane's speed dropped about 53 knots. The airplane entered a rapid descent and was observed spinning until it crashed in a field. All five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Stall and rapid descent due to improper in-flight decisions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Airframe ice,
- The pilot failed to maintain flying speed,
- Incorrect weather briefing,
- Icing conditions including sleet, freezing rain.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-A80 Queen Air near Madisonville: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jul 2, 1981 at 1230 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N100UV
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Houston - Dallas
MSN:
LD-151
YOM:
1964
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
398
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude in marginal weather conditions on a flight from Houston to Dallas, the pilot lost control of the airplane that entered a dive. During the descent, wings and stabs separated and the aircraft crashed near Madisonville. All three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control in flight after the pilot suffered a spatial disorientation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot exceeded designed stress limits of aircraft,
- The pilot attempted operation beyond experience/ability level,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Thunderstorm activity,
- Wings: spars,
- Flight control surfaces: horizontal stabilizer, attachments,
- Overload failure,
- Separation in flight,
- Aircraft observed falling from clouds with wings and stabs separated,
- Pilot lacked recent instrument experience and multi-engine instrument time.
Final Report: