Indiana

The pilot reported ice accretion en route to his destination and subsequently requested, and received a lower altitude from ATC. The flight was issued a clearance for a VOR-A approach to the Greensburg Airport, and was observed by a witness north of the airport to fly for a short period down runway 18 about seven feet above the runway. The witness then observed the airplane began to climb and fly off in a southerly direction. Other witnesses saw the airplane flying in the vicinity of the airport beneath an overcast ceiling estimated between 300 feet and 1,000 feet AGL. One witness, located about two miles south of the airport, saw the airplane turn sharply left, drop nose low, recover, drop nose low, and then descend from sight behind trees. Investigators and rescue personnel discovered a large amount of ice debris along the flight path and outside the fire ring at the crash site.

The PA-32, N82419, had been receiving atc radar services en route to the Greenwood Municipal Airport. Radar services were terminated 3 miles from the airport. The MU-2, N74FB, had just taken off from the airport, and had reported to ATC in anticipation of receiving his IFR clearance. The flight had not yet been identified on radar. The two airplanes collided approximately 2 miles from the airport at 2,100 feet msl. The collision took place just outside and to the east of the Indianapolis airport radar service area (arsa). The MU-2 track was 066°, and the PA-32 track was 174°. The pax/pilot on the PA-32 took control of the airplane and was able to make a controlled landing. Guidance for traffic pattern operations and recommended arrival and departure procedures is found in the airman's information manual. All five occupants on board the MU-2 were killed.

The pilot was on second corporate flight of the day and complained to the avionics technician about the autopilot and asked him to adjust it. The technician said it would require a flight check. The pilot said he didn't have time for that, and got the technician to tell him how to perform the adjustment. Radar shows the airplane stable at 14,100 feet after departure. It then begins to deviate from cruise altitude between plus 100 feet to minus 200 feet. Center gives the pilot a 15° course change for traffic and the pilot acknowledges the instruction while the airplane is deviating off course. Radar contact was lost and no further radio transmissions were received from the pilot. Witnesses on the ground reported hearing a loud explosion followed by a muffled explosion, and seeing the airplane exit clouds vertically. The outboard six feet of both wings were found 1.25 miles from crash site. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

The crew was completing a local training flight at Evansville-William H. Dress Airport on behalf of the Kentucky National Guard, consisting of touch-and-go maneuvers. On approach to runway 22, the crew was instructed by ATC to initiate a go-around for unknown reasons. The crew increased engine power and climbed to a height of 1,500 feet when the aircraft entered a nose down attitude, plunged and crashed onto an hotel located 4,800 feet short of runway 22 threshold. The aircraft, the hotel and a restaurant were destroyed. All five crew members as well as 11 people on the hotel/restaurant were killed. A police officer who was seriously injured in the accident died from his injuries 10 days later.

After being cleared to descend to 12,000 feet and to deviate around a 'big cell', the aircraft entered an area of level two and three thunderstorms. Subsequently, an in-flight breakup occurred and wreckage was scattered over a four mile area. During the breakup, the right wing and empennage separated from the aircraft. The left wing and spar also failed at the same location as the right wing, but the left wing remained with the fuselage. No pre-accident failure, malfunction or metal fatigue of the aircraft was found drg the investigation. All three occupants were killed.

An IFR flight was terminated with a visual approach. Conditions were conducive to airframe icing. The aircraft was being positioned empty, with a cg at 22.1% mac. On short final, at approximately 400 feet agl, 35° of landing flap was selected. The aircraft was observed to pitch downward to an unusual attitude and to enter a steep descent. A partial recovery was observed before the aircraft impacted a dirt hill 500 feet short of runway 28. Examination of the airframe after the accident revealed 1/2 to 3/4 inch of rime ice adhering to the leading edge of the horizontal stabilizer. No ice was found on any other portion of the airframe. Evidence in the cockpit indicated that engine, pitot, and windshield anti-ice systems were on, but wing/empennage deice was off. No evidence of a powerplant or systems malfunction was found. Both pilots were killed.

The flight crew failed to adhere to appropriate procedures and directives when they failed to select the hp cock levers to the hswl (lock out) position while performing an approach to landing stall during a training/test flight. When stall recovery was initiated, both propellers 'hung up' when the high (cruise pitch) stops of each propeller failed to withdraw. As the power levers were advanced, turbine gas temperatures (tgt's) exceeded limitations; the left propeller auto-feathered, the right propeller was later feathered by the captain. Restart procedures were attempted without success, and a forced landing in a plowed cornfield ensued. Examination of the engines revealed that the turbines had been 'subjected to severe (and destructive) thermal degradation during operation' as a result of the propellers being constrained during low speed operations. Testing of the relays revealed that the high stop withdrawal relay for the right propeller functioned intermittently. All three crew members escaped uninjured.

The aircraft was enroute to the Chicago Midway Airport. While letting down to 16,000 feet the pilot reported he was shutting down the right engine. ARTCC cleared the aircraft to 5,000 feet. Ten minutes later ARTCC lost radio transponder and mode C contact. 15 minutes later the aircraft descended out of the 1,800 feet overcast and struck a 170 feet utility tower at the 150 feet level. The aircraft then ground impacted and burned. Investigation revealed that the right engine had a bearing failure due to lack of lubrication. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

The pilot was on the fourth leg of a night cargo flight cruising at approximately 500 feet agl enroute to Mt Vernon, IL, when the aircraft struck some trees and subsequently collided with the ground. The engines and propellers were both torn down and tested and no evidence of malfunction was discovered. The pilot stated he did not recall the crash sequence at all. The pilot was wearing a 'walkman' radio at the time of the accident. He stated it was to help keep him awake, because he had fallen asleep at times in the past while flying night cargo.

The pilot canceled IFR 8 miles from the airport to continue on a visual approach and landing. Witnesses stated a strong thunderstorm had just passed over the airport. Wind info issued to the pilot by unicom were west at 20 knots. Witnesses observed the aircraft approach runway 31 and execute a go-around before touchdown. The aircraft circled left to a runway 06 (almost direct downwind) approach. Touchdown occurred about 2/3 down the 3,100 feet long runway. The engines were heard to spool up to high power (no thrust reversers) but the aircraft did not become airborne. It overran the runway into rough terrain and caught fire. Investigation showed the landing gear was down, flaps were at approach setting and speed brakes were fully deployed. Both pilots were killed.