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Crash of a Beechcraft B200 Super king Air in Little Rock: 5 killed

Date & Time: Feb 22, 2023 at 1156 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N55PC
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Little Rock - Columbus
MSN:
BB-1170
YOM:
1983
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
10196
Captain / Total hours on type:
195.00
Aircraft flight hours:
10784
Circumstances:
The pilot and four passengers were departing in the multi-engine turbopropeller-powered airplane when the accident occurred. Surveillance video indicated that the takeoff and initial climb appeared normal, however, the airplane than began to lose airspeed and altitude until the airplane entered a left roll and descended toward the ground. Just after the airplane went out of sight, the camera recorded a rising plume of smoke about 1 mile from of the departure end of the runway. Shortly after the plume of smoke appeared, the camera appeared to shake from wind, and recorded blowing debris and heavy rain on the ramp where the camera was located. Just before and during takeoff, the camera showed that the ramp was dry with no rain or noticeable wind. No radio or distress calls were heard from the pilot. Several witnesses saw the airplane’s takeoff and initial climb and they described the airplane as struggling to climb and reported that it entered a steep bank and descent toward the ground shortly after takeoff. The witnesses characterized the weather conditions as stormy and windy, with a weather front passing through the area. The wreckage of the airplane was found amidst heavily wooded terrain adjacent to a factory about 1 mile south of the departure end of runway 18 and a post-impact fire consumed most of the airplane. Detailed examinations of the airframe, engines, flight controls, and propellers did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operations. Both engines and propellers exhibited evidence of rotation at the time of impact, and several large diameter tree branches at the accident site were found cut consistent with propeller blade strikes, also indicating that the engines were producing power at the time of impact. A performance study indicated that the airplane climbed to a maximum altitude of about 386 ft above ground level before it began to descend. Review of airplane performance from previous takeoffs from the same runway indicated that the airplane’s climb performance during the accident initial climb takeoff was diminished. The reason for the diminished performance could not be determined. Review of weather information indicated that the airplane departed about the time a line of extreme intensity precipitation was approaching, and weather reporting equipment at the airport indicated a wind shift associated with this oncoming line of precipitation. A wind shear alert was active in the control tower advising of 15 to 20 kt gains about 1 mile from the runway. Based on the observation weather data, it is likely that, during the initial climb, the airplane encountered wind with magnitudes between 20 and 30 kts that likely varied in direction about 50°, from a quartering headwind to a crosswind condition. In the minutes following the accident time, this wind continued to shift to a quartering tailwind condition for the departure runway and increased in magnitude to 30 to 40 kts. There was no evidence to suggest that the airplane encountered a microburst or downdraft. Based on available information, the performance study could not conclude why the airplane had diminished performance during the initial climb after takeoff. Although there was diminished performance during the initial climb, it could not be attributed to a airframe, engine, or system anomaly. Although the weather was deteriorating at the time of the accident, and there were wind shifts in the area, a weather study determined that the wind shifts likely contributed to, but did not cause the accident. The pilot’s autopsy was limited by injury but identified severe coronary artery disease. Within the limits of the autopsy, there was no evidence that a medical event contributed to the accident. The pilot’s toxicology testing detected a low level of ethanol in cavity blood only; however, the small amount of ethanol may have been produced postmortem. It is unlikely that the effects of ethanol contributed to the accident.
Probable cause:
The loss of control during initial climb for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident were the sudden wind shifts during the initial climb.
Final Report:

Crash of a Canadair RegionalJet CRJ-200LR in Jefferson City: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 14, 2004 at 2215 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N8396A
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Little Rock – Minneapolis
MSN:
7396
YOM:
2000
Flight number:
NW3701
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
6900
Captain / Total hours on type:
973.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
761
Copilot / Total hours on type:
222
Aircraft flight hours:
10168
Aircraft flight cycles:
9613
Circumstances:
On October 14, 2004, about 2215:06 central daylight time, Pinnacle Airlines flight 3701 (doing business as Northwest Airlink), a Bombardier CL-600-2B19, N8396A, crashed into a residential area about 2.5 miles south of Jefferson City Memorial Airport, Jefferson City, Missouri. The airplane was on a repositioning flight from Little Rock National Airport, Little Rock, Arkansas, to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, Minneapolis, Minnesota. During the flight, both engines flamed out after a pilot-induced aerodynamic stall and were unable to be restarted. The captain and the first officer were killed, and the airplane was destroyed. No one on the ground was injured.
Probable cause:
The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable causes of this accident were:
1) the pilots' unprofessional behavior, deviation from standard operating procedures, and poor airmanship, which resulted in an in-flight emergency from which they were unable to recover, in part because of the pilots' inadequate training;
2) the pilots' failure to prepare for an emergency landing in a timely manner, including communicating with air traffic controllers immediately after the emergency about the loss of both engines and the availability of landing sites; and
3) the pilots' failure to achieve and maintain the target airspeed in the double engine failure checklist, which caused the engine cores to stop rotating and resulted in the core lock engine condition.
Contributing to this accident were:
1) the engine core lock condition, which prevented at least one engine from being restarted, and
2) the airplane flight manuals that did not communicate to pilots the importance of maintaining a minimum airspeed to keep the engine cores rotating.
Final Report:

Crash of a McDonnell Douglas MD-82 in Little Rock: 11 killed

Date & Time: Jun 1, 1999 at 2350 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N215AA
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Dallas – Little Rock
MSN:
49163
YOM:
1983
Flight number:
AA1420
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
139
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Captain / Total flying hours:
10234
Captain / Total hours on type:
5518.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4292
Copilot / Total hours on type:
182
Aircraft flight hours:
49136
Aircraft flight cycles:
27103
Circumstances:
On June 1, 1999, at 2350:44 central daylight time, American Airlines flight 1420, a McDonnell Douglas DC-9-82 (MD-82), N215AA, crashed after it overran the end of runway 4R during landing at Little Rock National Airport in Little Rock, Arkansas. Flight 1420 departed from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Texas, about 2240 with 2 flight crewmembers, 4 flight attendants, and 139 passengers aboard and touched down in Little Rock at 2350:20. After departing the end of the runway, the airplane struck several tubes extending outward from the left edge of the instrument landing system localizer array, located 411 feet beyond the end of the runway; passed through a chain link security fence and over a rock embankment to a flood plain, located approximately 15 feet below the runway elevation; and collided with the structure supporting the runway 22L approach lighting system. The captain and 10 passengers were killed; the first officer, the flight attendants, and 105 passengers received serious or minor injuries; and 24 passengers were not injured. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. Flight 1420 was operating under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 on an instrument flight rules flight plan.
Probable cause:
The flight crew's failure to discontinue the approach when severe thunderstorms and their associated hazards to flight operations had moved into the airport area and the flight crew's failure to ensure that the spoilers had extended after touchdown. Contributing to the accident were the flight crew's:
(1) impaired performance resulting from fatigue and the situational stress associated with the intent to land under the circumstances,
(2) continuation of the approach to a landing when the company's maximum crosswind component was exceeded, and
(3) use of reverse thrust greater than 1.3 engine pressure ratio after landing.
Final Report:

Crash of an Embraer EMB-120RT Brasília in Pine Bluff

Date & Time: Apr 29, 1993 at 1555 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N24706
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Little Rock - Houston
MSN:
120-093
YOM:
1988
Flight number:
CA2733
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
27
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3600
Captain / Total hours on type:
2600.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
3300
Copilot / Total hours on type:
700
Aircraft flight hours:
10398
Circumstances:
In climb, captain (pic) increased pitch, when flight attendant (f/a) entered cockpit and suggested faster climb, so she could begin cabin service. Autoflight was set in pitch and heading modes, contrary to company policy. Pic and f/a had non- pertinent conversation for 4.5 min, while 1st officer (f/o) was making log entries. Airplane stalled in IMC at 17,400 feet. Initial recovery was at 6,700 feet after f/o lower gear, then due to improper recovery, 2nd stall occurred and recovery was at 5,500 feet. Left propeller shed 3 blades, left engine cowling separated, left engine was shut down in descent. Level flight could not be maintained and forced landing was made at closed airport. Pic overshot final turn due to controllability problems and landed fast with 1,880 feet of wet runway remaining. Airplane hydroplaned off runway and was further damaged. Crew got limited sleep during 3 day trip, though rest periods available. Freezing level near 11,500 feet, clouds tops to 21,000 feet with potential for icing to 19,000 feet. No pre-accident malfunction was found.
Probable cause:
The captain's failure to maintain professional cockpit discipline, his consequent inattention to flight instruments and ice accretion, and his selection of an improper autoflight vertical mode, all of which led to an aerodynamic stall, loss of control, and a forced landing. Factors contributing to the accident were: poor crew discipline, including flightcrew coordination before the stall and the flightcrew's inappropriate actions to recover from the loss of control. Also contributing to the accident was fatigue induced by the flightcrew's failure to properly manage provided rest periods.
Final Report:

Crash of a Gulfstream GII in Little Rock: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jan 19, 1990 at 1710 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N46TE
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Longview - Little Rock
MSN:
243
YOM:
1979
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Captain / Total flying hours:
20000
Captain / Total hours on type:
160.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
20000
Copilot / Total hours on type:
160
Aircraft flight hours:
5812
Circumstances:
During arrival, heavy rain showers were reported west of airport. At the airport, the weather was about 200 feet obscured with fog and drizzle, wnd was easterly at 5 to 7 knots. The pilots intended to land on runway 22, but after being told the wind was gusting to 27 knots, they elected to land on runway 04. The actual wind was not gusty. The erroneous gust indication was from a malfunction of the LLWAS. On final approach for an ILS runway 04 approach, the flight was advised the wind was from 030° at 5 knots and the RVR was 1,800 feet. Minimum RVR for the approach was 2,400 feet. The crew acknowledged; 22 seconds later, the ELT activated as the aircraft touched down 1,600 feet short of runway 04 and hit approach lighting system, railroad tracks and a fence. Investigations revealed the aircraft descended thru windshear. While maneuvering onto final approach; ground speed varied between 320 and 190 knots as aircraft was maneuvered thru tailwind to headwind near faf. CVR data verified a delay in descent from 4,000 feet to 1,900 feet before reaching faf and that the gear warning horn sounded before extension of gear and speed brakes. There was evidence of low engine rpm during impact, but no preimpact mechanical problem was found. Each pilot had over 10,000 hours of flight time, but only about 160 hours each in jet aircraft. All seven occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the pilot-in-command to follow IFR procedures (maintain an ILS glide path or initiate a missed approach) during an ifr arrival to the airport. Factors related to the accident were:
- Unfavorable weather conditions,
- An erroneous wind indication from the low level windshear alert system (LLWAS), which resulted in an inaccurate weather (wind) observation, and
- Failure of the pilots to take adequate remedial action.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601P) in Bentonville

Date & Time: Feb 22, 1985 at 0740 LT
Registration:
N60817
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bentonville – Little Rock
MSN:
61-0758-8063376
YOM:
1980
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1232
Captain / Total hours on type:
19.00
Aircraft flight hours:
616
Circumstances:
The aircraft contacted livestock, a fence and the gear collapsed during a forced landing following a loss of power on the right engine. The pilot reported that after he feathered the right engine propeller and lowered the gear he noted the aux hydraulic system pressure gage was indicating zero. Post accident inspection disclosed evidence of an oil leak from the left lower section of the right engine. Tests revealed the leak originated from the oil cooler pressure line which failed due to severe corrosion of the wire braid and deformation of the inner cover. Testing of the auxiliary hydraulic pressure pump disclosed the 35 ampere current limiter was blown and 40 amperes were required to drive the pump motor. The pilot, sole on board, was slightly injured.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (partial) - nonmechanical
Phase of operation: climb - to cruise
Findings
1. (c) lubricating system, oil line - failure,total
2. (c) lubricating system, oil line - corroded
3. (c) fluid, oil - leak
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
----------
Occurrence #3: airframe/component/system failure/malfunction
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
Findings
4. Hydraulic system, pump - improper
----------
Occurrence #4: on ground/water collision with object
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
5. Object - animal(s)
6. Object - fence
----------
Occurrence #5: gear collapsed
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
7. Terrain condition - rough/uneven
8. Landing gear - overload
Final Report: