National Airways - UK | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The twin engine aircraft was completing a cargo flight from Stansted to East Midlands, carrying approximately 800 kilos of various goods. As the aircraft was on approach 1 nm from touchdown, ATC advised that the RVR for landing had reduced to 900 meters and, very soon afterwards, notified a further deterioration to 800 meters. Immediately after this last ATC transmission, the pilot transmitted 'National Six Four Six got to go-around'. Ten seconds later he transmitted 'crashing...National'. The aircraft subsequently struck the ground at a point approximately 350 meters to the right of the runway 09 centerline and 750 meters beyond the threshold. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the the aircraft's weight was 90 kilos above its maximum authorised takeoff weight at Stansted Airport and after allowing for the fuel used on route, it would have arrived at least 160 kilos above its maximum authorised landing weight. Furthermore, the steep angle of impact was suggestive of a dive following a stall.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 200 Super King Air in Southend: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 12, 1987 at 0535 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft 200 Super King Air

Operator:

National Airways - UK

Registration:

G-WSJE

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

City

Schedule:

Southend - Bergamo

MSN:

BB-484

YOM:

1979

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4320

Captain / Total hours on type:

50.00

Circumstances:

The twin engine aircraft departed Southend Airport on a cargo flight to Bergamo, carrying newspapers and magazines. Two minutes and 30 seconds after liftoff, while climbing in limited visibility due to the night and low clouds, the airplane entered a dive and crashed on a garage, bursting into flames. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Examination of the propeller assemblies indicated that, although the right-hand propeller appeared to have been at fine pitch and rotating at high revolutions at impact, the left-hand propeller had been rotating much more slowly and appeared to have been at, or close to, its fully feathered position. The firewall shut-off fuel valve for the left-hand engine was found in its closed position, consistent with the action of shutting down this engine at some point prior to the impact. A strip examination of the left-hand engine was conducted and showed no evidence of damage to its rotating assemblies prior to the impact with the garage. The only damage identified on this engine as not being consistent with the impact was a ruptured diaphragm within the low-pressure compressor bleed valve. This rolling diaphragm is designed to hold the compressor bleed valve closed a high power settings and to provide smooth opening of the compressor bleed valve with reduction of compressor discharge pressure.

Final Report: