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Crash of a Cessna 340A in Ocala: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 27, 2012 at 1227 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N340HF
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Macon - Ocala
MSN:
340A-0624
YOM:
1978
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
1048
Aircraft flight hours:
5057
Circumstances:
The pilot entered the left downwind leg of the traffic pattern to land to the north. A surface wind from the west prevailed with gusts to 15 knots. Radar data revealed that the airplane was on final approach, about 1.16 miles from the runway and about 210 feet above the ground. The airplane then crashed in a pasture south of the airport, in a slight left-wing-low attitude, and came to rest upright. The cockpit and cabin were consumed in a postcrash fire. The pilot's wife, who was in the aft cabin and survived the accident, recalled that it was choppy and that they descended quickly. She recalled hearing two distinct warning horns in the cockpit prior to the crash. The airplane was equipped with two aural warning systems in the cockpit: a landing gear warning horn and a stall warning horn. The pilot likely allowed the airspeed to decay while aligning the airplane on final approach and allowed the airplane to descend below a normal glide path. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the landing gear were in transit toward the retracted position at impact, indicating that the pilot was attempting to execute a go-around before the accident. The pilot made no distress calls to air traffic controllers before the crash. The pilot did not possess a current flight review at the time of the accident. Examination of the wreckage, including a test run of both engines, revealed no evidence of a pre-existing mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.
Probable cause:
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and altitude on final approach, resulting in an impact with terrain short of the airport.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31P Prerssurized Navajo in Ocala

Date & Time: Jun 4, 1980 at 0615 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N7651L
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
31P-7300125
YOM:
1973
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Parked at a local airport, the twin engine airplane was stolen during the night and the 'pilot' attempted a local flight when the left engine caught fire in flight. The airplane crash landed and came to rest in flames. The sole occupant was not recovered.
Probable cause:
Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot. Fire in left engine due to oil filler cap not secured. The crew fled from stolen aircraft after landing allowing fire to spread and destroy the airplane.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Mobile: 6 killed

Date & Time: May 28, 1980 at 1005 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N6492L
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Mobile - Ocala
MSN:
31-456
YOM:
1969
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
1500
Captain / Total hours on type:
30.00
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was engaged in a demonstration flight from Mobile to Ocala, Florida, carrying five passengers and one pilot. After takeoff, the airplane encountered serious difficulties to gain height, stalled and crashed. All six occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Stall during initial climb due to inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft on part of the pilot,
- The pilot failed to use or misused flaps,
- The pilot failed to obtain/maintain flying speed,
- High temperature,
- Improperly loaded aircraft,
- The aircraft was 449 lbs over max gross weight, out of forward cg limit,
- Flaps were full down at takeoff.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Ocala: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 30, 1978 at 1800 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N800WM
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
A-90
YOM:
1946
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
370
Captain / Total hours on type:
30.00
Circumstances:
While flying at low height, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed in a field. The aircraft was destroyed by a post impact fire and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees after the pilot diverted attention from operation of aircraft. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Misjudged altitude and clearance,
- Marijuana vegetation found on board.
Final Report: