Crash of a Cessna 414 Chancellor in Johnstown: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 26, 2006 at 1555 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N400CS
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Morgantown - Teterboro
MSN:
414-0613
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
3547
Aircraft flight hours:
5904
Circumstances:
The airplane encountered in-flight icing, and the pilot diverted to an airport to attempt to knock the ice off at a lower altitude. During the instrument approach, the pilot advised the tower controller of the ice, and that it depended on whether or not the ice came off the airplane if she would land. As the airplane broke out of the clouds, it appeared to tower personnel to be executing a missed approach; however, it suddenly "dove" for the runway. The tower supervisor noticed that the landing gear were not down, and at 75 to 100 feet above the runway, advised the pilot to go around. The airplane continued to descend, and by the time it impacted the runway, the landing gear were only partially extended, and the propellers and airframe impacted the pavement. The pilot then attempted to abort the landing. The damaged airplane became airborne, climbed to the right, stalled, and nosed straight down into the ground.
Probable cause:
The pilot's improper decision to abort the landing with a damaged airplane. Contributing to the accident were the damage from the airplane's impact with the runway, the pilot's failure to lower the landing gear prior to the landing attempt, and the in-flight icing conditions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601) in Chittenden: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 25, 2002 at 1710 LT
Registration:
N104CS
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Johnstown – Rutland
MSN:
61-0404-141
YOM:
1977
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
1000
Captain / Total hours on type:
250.00
Aircraft flight hours:
1780
Circumstances:
The airplane collided with mountainous terrain during approach to the destination airport. While approaching the airport, the pilot requested vectors for a localizer approach to runway 19. Due to traffic, air traffic control (ATC) issued the pilot a holding clearance. The airplane was approaching the holding fix about 8,000 feet, when the pilot advised ATC that the airplane was picking up a little ice. ATC initially offered an amended clearance of 9,000 feet, but the pilot declined. Subsequently, he accepted the clearance and climbed back to 9,000 feet. ATC then told the pilot that after one more airplane had landed, he would be issued an approach clearance. The airplane was about 9,200 feet when the pilot replied "thank you." Review of radar data revealed that the accident airplane made one complete 360-degree turn, and one 270-degree turn on the non-holding side of the published holding pattern. During the two turns, the airplane descended to approximately 8,400 feet, climbed to 8,900 feet, then descended again to 8,300 feet. The two turns were tighter than the expected standard 2-minute turns in a holding pattern, with radii ranging from 0.3 to 0.4 nautical miles and 0.1 to 0.2 nautical miles respectively. Following the two holding turns, no more radio transmissions or radar returns were received by ATC. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. Another pilot flying in the area reported moderate rime ice at 8,000 feet, but added that he climbed out of the ice and was between cloud layers at 9,000 to 10,000 feet.
Probable cause:
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while holding.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 99A Airliner in Johnstown: 12 killed

Date & Time: Jan 6, 1974 at 1905 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N125AE
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Pittsburgh - Johnstown
MSN:
U-125
YOM:
1969
Flight number:
AE317
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
15
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Captain / Total flying hours:
6331
Captain / Total hours on type:
383.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1790
Copilot / Total hours on type:
380
Aircraft flight hours:
7503
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Pittsburgh-International Airport, the crew deliberately started the descent prematurely, causing the aircraft to approach below the minimum published altitude. While descending in marginal weather conditions, the twin engine airplane struck an ILS antenna and crashed few dozen yards short of runway 33 threshold. A pilot and four passengers were seriously injured while 12 other occupants were killed. The aircraft was destroyed. By reason of numerous violations, unsafe practices, policies, and coercing tactics, Air East has demonstrated that it does not possess the judgement, responsibility or compliance disposition required of a holder of an air taxi commercial operators certificate. Thus, the operator's AOC was revoked on March 7, 1974.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the accident was caused by a premature descent below a safe approach slope followed by a stall and loss of aircraft control. The reason for the premature descent could not be determined, but it was probably the result of the combination of the following factors:
- A deliberate descent below the published minimum descent altitude to establish reference with the approach lights and make the landing,
- A visual impairment or an optical illusion created by the runway/approach lighting systems,
- Downdrafts near the approach end of the runway.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-90-DL in New York-LaGuardia

Date & Time: Jan 4, 1971 at 1832 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N7
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Johnstown - New York
MSN:
20426
YOM:
1944
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
9711
Captain / Total hours on type:
112.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
9169
Copilot / Total hours on type:
470
Circumstances:
A Federal Aviation Administration Douglas C-47, N7, crashed approximately 2,000 feet short of the approach threshold of runway 06 at LaGuardia Airport, New York. The crew was attempting to fly an Instrument Landing System approach in instrument meteorological conditions at night. The LaGuardia weather reported 3 minutes after the accident was: '200 feet scattered, measured 300 broken, 600 overcast, visibility 1 1/2 mile, light rain, fog, wind 060° at 11 knots, altimeter 29.63 inches, runway 04, visibility variable to 3 miles.
Probable cause:
The board determines that the probable cause of this accident was: the failure of the pilot to recognize the windshear conditions and compensate for it; the lack of crew coordination in that the copilot did not monitory the approach due to a self-induces communications problem and failed to warn the pilot that the aircraft was too low; and the diversion of tho pilot's attention from his primary task of completing the approach and landing. These conditions resulted in a mismanaged ILS and landing approach and the continuation of the descent into ground obstructions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed 18-56-23 LodeStar near Uniontown: 6 killed

Date & Time: Oct 6, 1957 at 1655 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N80G
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Cleveland – Hot Springs – Johnstown
MSN:
2351
YOM:
1943
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
10000
Captain / Total hours on type:
3000.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
3600
Copilot / Total hours on type:
200
Aircraft flight hours:
4608
Circumstances:
N80G departed Cleveland, Ohio, at approximately 1208LT for Ingalls Field Airport, Hot Springs, Virginia. The crew consisted of Captain Warren F. Noonan and Copilot Theodore O. Krauss. The purpose of the flight was to pick up passengers at Hot Springs, then fly to Johnstown, Pennsylvania, for an additional passenger, and return to Cleveland. The flight landed at Ingalls Field Airport sometime between 1300 and 1400 without incident. No records of aircraft arrival times are kept at this airport. N80G departed Hot Springs at approximately 1545LT with four passengers on board. The aircraft was observed to take off on the northeast runway and to climb to an altitude below the clouds. It was then observed to fly in a northwesterly direction for approximately four or five miles. About 1650, over an hour after takeoff and just before the aircraft struck the mountain, it was heard by a number of persons who lived within a radius of 10 miles of the accident scene; none saw it. The airplane hit trees and crashed in a wooded area, killing all six occupants.
Probable cause:
The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the action of the pilot in attempting VFR flight under instrument conditions over mountainous terrain. The following findings were reported:
- The crew was probably briefed by the U. S. Weather Bureau for the trip to Hot Springs and return, prior to departure from Cleveland,
- The VFR flight from Cleveland to Hot Springs was routine,
- The weather conditions north and east of Hot Springs at the time of the return required flight in accord with instrument flight rules; this was not done,
- No telephone or aircraft radio contacts wore made by the crew with any CAA communications station, either to file a flight plan or request weather information,
- The aircraft was heard but not seen flying a northeasterly heading in the overcast near the accident site,
- The aircraft was equipped for instrument flight.
Final Report: