Crash of a Lockheed 12A Electra Junior in Chino: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 15, 2024 at 1235 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N93R
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Chino - Chino
MSN:
1257
YOM:
1939
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Chino Airport runway 21, while climbing, the twin engine airplane rolled to the left, descended to the ground and crashed in a grassy area, bursting into flames. Both occupants were fatally injured. The airplane was operated on behalf of the Yanks Air Museum.

Crash of a Beechcraft 200 Super King Air in Buckingham

Date & Time: May 20, 2024 at 1103 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N762MC
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Buckingham - Buckingham
MSN:
BJ-16
YOM:
1980
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While taking off from runway 32 at Buckingham Airport, the twin engine airplane went out of control, veered off runway to the left, lost its nose gear and left main gear and came to rest. Both crew members evacuated safely.

Crash of a Piper PA-46-500TP Malibu Meridian in Marianna: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 12, 2024 at 1957 LT
Registration:
N241PM
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Pensacola - Batesville
MSN:
46-97150
YOM:
2003
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane departed Pensacola Regional Airport, Florida, on a private flight to Batesville, Arkansas, with two people on board. About 1,5 hour into the flight, while cruising at an altitude of 28,000 feet, the pilot initiated a descent when control was lost. The airplane crashed in an open field located southeast of Marianna and was destroyed. Both occupants were killed.

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 690 in Palmyra: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 5, 2024 at 0900 LT
Registration:
N690BM
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Manassas - Georgetown
MSN:
690-11311
YOM:
1976
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
After departure from Manassas-Harry P. Davis Field Airport, Virginia, the twin engine airplane continued to the southwest, bound for Georgetown, South Carolina. While cruising at an altitude of 20,000 feet and approaching an area of marginal weather conditions, the pilot apparently elected to modify his route when the airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a wooded area located in Palmyra. Both occupants were killed.

Crash of a Socata TBM-850 in Raleigh

Date & Time: Apr 24, 2024 at 1008 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N228CH
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Wilmington - Raleigh
MSN:
356
YOM:
2006
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Raleigh-Durham Airport, while on a positioning flight from Wilmington-New Hanover Airport, the single engine airplane went out of control and crashed nearby the runway. Both occupants were quickly rescued and the airplane was damaged beyond repair. It was reported that the pilot was attempting a go around procedure when the accident occurred.

Crash of a Douglas C-54D-DC Skymaster in Fairbanks: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 23, 2024 at 1003 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N3054V
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Fairbanks – Kobuk
MSN:
10547
YOM:
1945
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
35547
Copilot / Total flying hours:
10769
Aircraft flight hours:
24726
Circumstances:
The purpose of the flight was to transport 3,400 gallons of unleaded fuel and two 100-gallon propane tanks from Fairbanks International Airport (FAI), to Kobuk Airport (OBU), Kobuk, Alaska. The airplane departed about 0955. An eyewitness reported seeing the airplane flying to the west and stated that the far left engine was not running. They also noticed a small, white plume of smoke coming from that engine. The airplane started to turn to the south, and at that point he noticed that the engine was on fire. About three minutes after departure, the pilot reported to air traffic control that there was a fire onboard and began a left turn back to the airport. Video surveillance showed white smoke begin to develop behind the No. 1 engine, followed by flames. Seconds later, a bright white explosion could be seen just behind the No. 1 engine. The airplane then entered an uncontrolled, descending left turn into terrain. The No. 1 engine separated from the wing about 100 ft above the ground and landed on a frozen river. About two minutes later, the video showed a large explosion. The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) detected multiple low frequency sound (infrasound) signals associated with the accident. Based on the data collected by UAF, the first explosion was at 1001, the airplane impacted terrain at 1003, and the second explosion was at 1006. The airplane was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and both crew members were fatally injured.
Probable cause:
A loss of power of the No. 1 engine for reasons that could not be determined, and the incorrect installation of a B-nut fitting in the propeller feathering system, which allowed engine oil to spray onto the exhaust system when the propeller was feathered following the loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was an incorrectly repaired fuel leak, which resulted in an explosion that separated the aileron bell housing that resulted in a loss of control and subsequent impact with terrain.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage near Hartsburg: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 16, 2024 at 1206 LT
Registration:
N451MA
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Madison - Siloam Springs
MSN:
46-36541
YOM:
2012
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Flying over Missouri in marginal weather conditions, the single engine airplane entered an uncontrolled descent at 1203LT and crashed about three minutes later in a wooded area located near Hartsburg. There was no fire. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were poor with thunderstorm activity in the area. The pilot departed Madison-Dane County on a flight to Siloam Springs-Smith Field.

Crash of a Rockwell Gulfstream 695A Jetprop 1000 in San Bernardino: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 13, 2024 at 2019 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N965BC
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Stockton - Chino
MSN:
96071
YOM:
1984
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot departed Stockton Airport on a solo flight to Chino. On a standard approach in rainy conditions, the airplane suffered two altitude deviations which the pilot attributed to a problem with the autopilot. Towards the end of the flight, the airplane descended past the Minimum Vectoring Altitude (MVA) of 7,400 feet and was issued an altitude alert by the controller, but there was no response from the pilot. The airplane entered an uncontrolled descent with a rate of about 10'000 feet per minute until it crashed in mountainous terrain. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and the pilot was killed.

Crash of a Socata TBM-960 in Truckee: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 30, 2024 at 1838 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N960LP
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Denver - Truckee
MSN:
1441
YOM:
2022
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
On final approach to Truckee-Tahoe Airport runway 20 in marginal weather conditions, it is believed that the pilot initiated a go around procedure. While climbing to an altitude of 7,200 feet, control was lost. The airplane entered a dive and crashed in a snow covered forest located near the airport, bursting into flames. Both occupants, Liron and Naomi Petrushka, were killed. At the time of the accident, visibility was limited due to snow showers.

Crash of a PA-61-601P Aerostar (Ted Smith 601) in Grass Valley

Date & Time: Mar 14, 2024 at 1148 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N1SS
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Brigham City – Grass Valley
MSN:
61-0694-7963331
YOM:
1979
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
22323
Captain / Total hours on type:
104.00
Aircraft flight hours:
2730
Circumstances:
The pilot reported that the AWOS weather reported strong gusts of 15 up to 25 kts straight down the runway. At approximately 20 ft agl, he experienced moderate turbulence and elected to abort the landing and attempted to climb. However, as the airspeed was decreasing the airplane was not gaining altitude. The pilot experienced another strong wind gust which put the airplane into a nose down and right wing low attitude, which he was unable to control and collided with the runway substantially damaging the right wing. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations.
Probable cause:
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control in a gusting wind condition.
Final Report: