Test

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Miami - Miami

MSN:

LD-3

YOM:

1962

Location:

Miami-Opa Locka

Florida

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

368

Captain / Total hours on type:

2.00

Circumstances:

Several days prior, a fam flight was intended in the aircraft to be given to the pilot by another person who represented himself as a pilot. The flight was cancelled due to a problem with the left engine. On the day of the accident, the other person told the pilot that the engine was repaired and they proceeded to conduct a local test flight with the other person conducting the takeoff from the left seat. They reportedly switched seats prior to landing. The approach appeared normal until just prior to landing. A burst of sound from the engines was heard and the aircraft yawed and rolled left. The left wing impacted the ground and the aircraft cartwheeled. The last logbook entry was in 10/82. The owner could not be located. The other pilot could not be located and there is no record of him being issued a pilot's certificate. During teardown of the left engine the servo fuel injector was found rigged extremely lean at the idle stop.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (total) - mech failure/malf
Phase of operation: approach - VFR pattern - final approach
Findings
1. (c) fuel system,injector - improper
2. (c) maintenance, adjustment - improper - other maintenance personnel
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: go-around (VFR)
Findings
3. (c) judgment - poor - pilot in command
4. (c) aborted landing - performed - pilot in command
5. (c) go-around - initiated - pilot in command
6. (c) aircraft handling - uncontrolled - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: go-around (VFR)

Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Dove 2A in Shoreham-by-Sea: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 9, 1983 at 1005 LT

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.104 Dove

Operator:

Keith David Wickenden

Registration:

G-AMYP

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Shoreham-by-Sea - Shoreham-by-Sea

MSN:

04421

YOM:

1953

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

602

Captain / Total hours on type:

13.00

Circumstances:

The pilot, also owner of the aircraft, elected to make a post-engine change test flight himself. After takeoff from Shoreham-by-Sea Airport runway 07 in good weather, eye-witnesses considered that the take-off and initial climb were normal except that intermittent puffs of dark smoke were seen coming from the right engine. At about 600 feet above ground level the aircraft was seen to roll to the right then turn on to its back and spin to the ground. After a short pause the aircraft burst into flames and was largely consumed by an intense fire. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Examination of the wreckage revealed that the aircraft impacted with the sloping side of the west flood bank of the River Adur. At impact the aircraft was 60° nose down, rolled to the right, and was yawing to the right. Both engines were rotating, with the left engine developing more power than the right. Detailed wreckage examination at the AIB engineering facility at Farnborough showed that the rudder was approximately fully left and the elevator fully up. Engine strip examination yielded no evidence of any pre-crash defect in the left engine, but severe corrosion was found in the fuel control boost capsule (Part n° CH 90274) of the right engine. Tests were carried out on an engine test bed to examine the effects of boost capsule perforation. It was found that such a fault would induce power fluctuations, and that the engine could experience a rich cut when the throttle was retarded. Research into previous incidents on the same type of aircraft revealed two occasions during which fluctuating boost and rpm had been experienced after take-off and later attributed to boost capsule perforation.

Final Report:

Ground accident of a Boeing 727-86 in Tehran

Date & Time: Jan 7, 1983

Type of aircraft:

Boeing 727-100

Operator:

Registration:

EP-IRA

Flight Phase:

Taxiing

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

19171

YOM:

1966

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Two mechanics took over the airplane to complete a high-speed taxi check following maintenance. While taxiing, the airplane went out of control and veered off taxiway, causing the left main gear and the nose gear to collapse. The airplane came to rest on soft ground and was damaged beyond repair while both occupants escaped uninjured.

Probable cause:

It was determined that both mechanics were not sufficiently qualified to perform such check at high-speed and it would be preferable to ask qualified flight crew to conduct such mission.

Crash of a Partenavia AP.68TP-100 off Gatea: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 5, 1982

Type of aircraft:

Partenavia P.68

Operator:

Registration:

I-RAIO

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Naples - Naples

MSN:

6002

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The twin engine aircraft (second P.68 prototype) departed Naples-Capodichino on a local test flight. While cruising over the gulf of Gaeta, the pilot encountered controllability problems. The airplane entered a dive and crashed into the sea off Gaeta. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

During the second experimental flight, due to turbulences generated by both turpoprop engines, stabilizers were damaged in an extensive manner, causing the aircraft to become uncontrollable on its pitch axis.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Lakeland: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 2, 1982 at 1516 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N62957

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Lakeland - Lakeland

MSN:

31-7752005

YOM:

1977

Location:

Lakeland

Florida

Country:

Region:

Rockwell Grand Commander 680

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3327

Captain / Total hours on type:

179.00

Aircraft flight hours:

1255

Circumstances:

The flight was conducting single-engine flight tests with the inboard gear doors removed and was being photographed by a chase aircraft. At the end of the tests the pilot was unable to restart the left engine and returned for a single-engine landing. The pilot overshot the landing attempt and executed a single-engine go-around. The pilot then reported he had a gear problem. An occupant of the chase aircraft reported that the main gear were hanging 75 to 80 degrees from the horizontal. A company employee at the airport reported that the nose gear was about 10° aft of the normal down and locked position. The aircraft continued on a wsw heading away from the airport, passing over several suitable emergency landing sites while in a slow descent until colliding with the guy/grounding wire atop a powerline pole located 4 miles wsw of the arpt. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of engine power
Phase of operation: maneuvering
Findings
1. (c) propeller system/accessories,feathering system - undetermined
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with object
Phase of operation: go-around (VFR)
Findings
2. (c) planned approach - poor - pilot in command
3. (f) go-around - initiated - pilot in command
4. (f) aborted landing - performed - pilot in command
5. (f) door,landing gear - other
6. (f) landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - undetermined
7. (f) gear retraction - not possible - pilot in command
8. (f) aircraft performance,engine out capability - deteriorated
9. (c) in-flight planning/decision - improper - pilot in command
10. (f) object - guy wire

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680FL in Alabaster

Date & Time: Aug 1, 1982 at 1915 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

We McLaughlin

Registration:

N11GT

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Alabaster - Alabaster

MSN:

680-1357-36

YOM:

1963

Location:

Alabaster-Shelby County

Alabama

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

7205

Captain / Total hours on type:

1710.00

Aircraft flight hours:

3516

Circumstances:

Prior to the post-maintenance inspection flight the pilot/owner, who is a certificated a&p mechanic, had been calibrating the fuel flow on the right engine fuel injector pump. An external line had been connected to the fuel flow transmitter fitting of the fuel injector. Prior to the test flight the external line was removed and the fuel flow replaced. About 10 min after takeoff the pilot observed flames from 25 to 15 psi. The right engine was shut down and the prop feathered. After landing the pilot was unable to taxi the aircraft and the aircraft was abandoned.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: fire
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
1. (c) fuel system,line fitting - improper
2. (c) maintenance,installation - improper - pilot in command
3. (c) fuel system,line fitting - leak
4. Fuel system - fire

Final Report:

Crash of a Partenavia AP.68TP-100 Victor in Gragnano: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jul 30, 1982 at 1100 LT

Type of aircraft:

Partenavia P.68

Operator:

Registration:

I-RAIP

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Naples - Naples

MSN:

6003

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew consisting of one test pilot, one radio navigator and two engineers departed Naples-Capodichino in the morning on a local test flight. En route, the twin engine airplane suffered a structural failure and the tail detached. Out of control, the aircraft entered a dive and crashed on the slope of a mountain located near Gragnano, about 27 km southeast of Naples. The aircraft was destroyed and all four occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, it is believed that the tail separated as the consequence of in-flight vibrations.

Crash of a Beechcraft C18S in Sheridan

Date & Time: Jul 17, 1982 at 1900 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft C18S

Operator:

Sheridan Flying Service

Registration:

N4758N

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Sheridan - Sheridan

MSN:

8440

YOM:

1945

Location:

Sheridan

Oregon

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4000

Captain / Total hours on type:

500.00

Aircraft flight hours:

4000

Circumstances:

The aircraft was on a functional check flight. According to the pilot and a witness (employed by the pilot), the left brake was locked during touchdown. Subsequently, the aircraft nosed over and a ground fire erupted which destroyed the plane. The pilot reported that the left brake had locked due to rust and corrosion and that the aircraft logbooks were destroyed in the fire. The pilot, sole on board, was uninjured.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: nose over
Phase of operation: landing - flare/touchdown
Findings
1. (c) landing gear,normal brake system - corroded
2. (c) maintenance - improper - other maintenance personnel
3. (c) landing gear,normal brake system – locked

Final Report:

Crash of a Dornier DO228-100 near Igenhausen: 3 killed

Date & Time: Mar 26, 1982 at 1800 LT

Type of aircraft:

Dornier DO228

Operator:

Registration:

D-IFNS

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type: