Country
Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Sparks
Date & Time:
Aug 15, 1985 at 2247 LT
Registration:
N27476
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Ely - Reno
MSN:
31-7852022
YOM:
1978
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total hours on type:
105.00
Aircraft flight hours:
1926
Circumstances:
The aircraft exhausted fuel enroute to destination during cross country night flight. The pilot advised ATC of loss of engines about 20 miles out. The pilot made deadstick landing on highway, struck bridge divider. No fire or reported injuries. Inspection disclosed dry fuel tanks.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (total) - nonmechanical
Phase of operation: cruise
Findings
1. (c) aircraft preflight - inadequate - pilot in command
2. (f) fuel supply - misjudged - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: landing
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: landing - flare/touchdown
Phase of operation: cruise
Findings
1. (c) aircraft preflight - inadequate - pilot in command
2. (f) fuel supply - misjudged - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: landing
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: landing - flare/touchdown
Final Report:
Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2B-35 Marquise in Lajitas: 2 killed
Date & Time:
Apr 19, 1981 at 1620 LT
Registration:
N500GL
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Lajitas - Houston
MSN:
579
YOM:
1973
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total hours on type:
4400.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Lajitas Airfield, the twin engine airplane encountered difficulties to gain height. It struck power cables then crashed, bursting into flames. The pilot and one passenger were killed while eight other occupants were injured, five of them seriously.
Probable cause:
Collision with wires/poles during initial climb after the pilot selected the wrong runway relative to existing wind. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot misused or failed to use flaps,
- The pilot failed to abort takeoff,
- Airport conditions,
- High density altitude, about 4,800 feet,
- Rough/uneven terrain,
- 1% upslope runway,
- Aircraft near max gross weight,
- Aircraft CofG at limit,
- Wind gusting 15 knots.
- The pilot misused or failed to use flaps,
- The pilot failed to abort takeoff,
- Airport conditions,
- High density altitude, about 4,800 feet,
- Rough/uneven terrain,
- 1% upslope runway,
- Aircraft near max gross weight,
- Aircraft CofG at limit,
- Wind gusting 15 knots.
Final Report:
