Crash of a Beechcraft H18 in Louisville

Date & Time: Feb 11, 1986 at 2052 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N148PA
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Louisville - Columbus
MSN:
BA-645
YOM:
1963
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1663
Captain / Total hours on type:
203.00
Aircraft flight hours:
6405
Circumstances:
The aircraft collided with the ground after stalling during takeoff. Witnesses reported that the aircraft pitched up in two increments, climbed sharply to about 200 feet agl, stalled dropped the right wing and descended, impacting the ground in a flat attitude.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
1. (c) proper climb rate - not maintained - pilot in command
2. (c) stall - not corrected - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Final Report:

Crash of a Swearingen SA227AT Merlin III in London

Date & Time: Jan 31, 1985 at 0547 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N568UP
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Louisville - London
MSN:
AT-568
YOM:
1983
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5688
Captain / Total hours on type:
307.00
Aircraft flight hours:
783
Circumstances:
During arrival, at 0540:31, the captain was cleared for an rnav runway 05 approach and was told to contact London FSS on 121.6 mhz, 'now.' However, he did not make the radio call until approximately 3 minutes later. The aircraft broke out of the weather at about 1,000 feet and 1 mile from the airport (before the radio call). At that time, the runway lights were not on. The captain then advised the FSS to turn on the runway lights and he made a left pattern to circle back and land. During the next approach, the aircraft was high and fast on final approach and touched down long. The 1st officer recommended that the captain make a go-around, but the captain elected to continue the landing. When the captain realized that he would not be able to stop on the remaining runway, he retracted the gear. The aircraft then slid off the end of the runway, went over an embankment, became airborne for about 140 feet, then impacted in a large ravine area. The weight manifest was found to be in error. After allowing for a 500 lb fuel burnoff, the landing weight was estimated to be 14,668 lbs. The max gross weight limit was 14,500 lbs. All three occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: miscellaneous/other
Phase of operation: approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
Findings
1. (f) aircraft weight and balance - exceeded
2. (f) weather condition - low ceiling
3. (f) weather condition - fog
4. (f) weather condition - rain
5. (f) weather condition - dark night
6. (f) radio communications - delayed - pilot in command
7. (f) airport facilities, runway edge lights - not operating
8. Missed approach
----------
Occurrence #2: overrun
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
9. Planned approach - initiated
10. (c) proper touchdown point - not attained - pilot in command
11. (c) airspeed - excessive - pilot in command
12. (f) airport facilities, runway/landing area condition - wet
13. (c) go-around - not performed - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: gear collapsed
Phase of operation: landing
Findings
14. Gear retraction - intentional - pilot in command
15. (f) terrain condition - rough/uneven
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-9-32 in Cincinnati: 23 killed

Date & Time: Jun 2, 1983 at 1920 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
C-FTLU
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Dallas – Toronto – Montreal
MSN:
47196
YOM:
1968
Flight number:
AC797
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
41
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
23
Captain / Total flying hours:
13000
Captain / Total hours on type:
4939.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
5650
Copilot / Total hours on type:
2499
Aircraft flight hours:
36825
Aircraft flight cycles:
34987
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Dallas on a regularly scheduled international passenger flight to Montreal, Quebec, Canada, with an en route stop at Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The flight left Dallas with 5 crew members and 41 passengers on board. About 1903, eastern daylight time, while en route at flight level 330 (about 33,000 feet m.s.l.), the cabin crew discovered smoke in the left aft lavatory. After attempting to extinguish the hidden fire and then contacting air traffic control (ATC) and declaring an emergency, the crew made an emergency descent and ATC vectored Flight 797 to the Greater Cincinnati International Airport, Covington, Kentucky. At 1920:09, eastern daylight time, Flight 797 landed on runway 27L at the Greater Cincinnati International Airport. As the pilot stopped the airplane, the airport fire department, which had been alerted by the tower to the fire on board the incoming plane, was in place and began firefighting operations. Also, as soon as the airplane stopped, the flight attendants and passengers opened the left and right forward doors, the left forward overwing exit, and the right forward and aft overwing exits. About 60 to 90 seconds after the exits were opened, a flash fire engulfed the airplane interior. While 18 passengers and 3 flight attendants exited through the forward doors and slides and the three open overwing exits to evacuate the airplane, the captain and first officer exited through their respective cockpit sliding windows. However, 23 passengers were not able to get out of the plane and died in the fire. The airplane was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable causes of the accident were a fire of undetermined origin, an underestimate of fire severity, and misleading fire progress information provided to the captain. The time taken to evaluate the nature of the fire and to decide to initiate an emergency descent contributed to the severity of the accident.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas A-26B-45-DL Invader near Hubbards Fork: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 5, 1983 at 1758 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N4060A
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Asheville - Asheville
MSN:
27381
YOM:
1944
Flight number:
Tanker 01
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
4199
Captain / Total hours on type:
733.00
Aircraft flight hours:
1558
Circumstances:
The pilot and aircraft had been fighting forest fires earlier in the day. A late developing fire necessitated another dispatch. The aircraft arrived on scene and checked in with the lead aircraft circling overhead coordinating the fire fighting efforts. The tanker made two runs over the fire area following the lead aircraft. After the second run, the aircraft banked left in a level turn to make another run without using the lead aircraft. During the third run the tanker struck trees near the top of a 1,800 feet ridgeline. Witnesses on the ground remarked how low the aircraft was. According to the pilot's peers, he took pride in doing his job well and always strove to put the chemical right on target. There had been occasions in the past where this zeal to succeed had resulted in his going lower than the 150 feet agl minimum altitude mandated by forestry service regs. He had, on occasions, returned to base with tree foliage stuck in his aircraft. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: maneuvering
Findings
1. (f) terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
2. (c) proper altitude - not maintained - pilot in command
3. (c) overconfidence in personal ability - pilot in command
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31T-620 Cheyenne II in Lebanon-Springfield: 8 killed

Date & Time: Feb 16, 1982 at 2019 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N2517X
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Mobile - Lebanon-Springfield
MSN:
31-8166004
YOM:
1981
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Captain / Total flying hours:
2500
Aircraft flight hours:
140
Circumstances:
The flight was cleared to maintain 3,000 ft msl until over the airport, then cruise. The pilot had previously stated that he could see the lights on the ground and that he was 15 miles from the airport. At 2013 the pilot stated "we oughta be able to cancel here." The aircraft would have been about 6 mi from the airport. The airport operator heard an aircraft low overhead and was able to see stars. Other ground witnesses closer to the point of impact observed very thick patchy fog with visibility about 200 ft. One witness observed the aircraft navigation lights do some unusual maneuvering, while another witness saw the lights very low. The aircraft impacted the ground in a left wing low, near level flight attitude. The wreckage was co-located with an approximate downwind to base leg turn. There is a single VOR/DME approach to rwy 11. The MDA is 1,260 ft and requires a minimum visibility of 1 mile. The circling approach has an MDA of 1,420 ft and also requires a minimum visibility of 1 mile. The pilot had received an altimeter setting of 29.77. The aircraft's altimeter was set between 30.29 and 30.30.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: approach - VFR pattern - base turn
Findings
1. (f) light condition - dark night
2. (f) weather condition - fog
3. (c) aborted landing - not performed - pilot in command
4. (c) proper altitude - not maintained - pilot in command
5. (f) altimeter setting - improper - pilot in command
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-B80 Queen Air in Pine Knot: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 10, 1981 at 1900 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N3768Z
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
LD-300
YOM:
1966
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Pine Knot-McCreary County Airport, while in initial climb, the twin engine airplane drifted to the left then struck trees and crashed in a wooded area, bursting into flames. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees during initial climb due to unqualified person operating the aircraft. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improperly loaded aircraft,
- Approximately 417 lbs over max gross weight at takeoff.
Final Report:

Crash of a Swearingen SA26AT Merlin IIB near Albany: 3 killed

Date & Time: Dec 2, 1980 at 1330 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N177MF
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Lexington - Albany
MSN:
T26-179
YOM:
1970
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
7628
Captain / Total hours on type:
24.00
Circumstances:
While approaching Albany-Dale Hollow Airport, the pilot was cleared by ATC to descend to 3,500 feet when he reported he was going to 'scoot down' under layer. In limited visibility due to poor weather conditions, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed on a mountain slope at an altitude of 1,700 feet. All three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees and subsequent crash after the pilot-in-command exercised poor judgment. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Fog,
- Turbulences associated with clouds and thunderstorms,
- Visibility 4 miles or less.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65 Queen Air in Lexington: 7 killed

Date & Time: Dec 16, 1979 at 1802 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N154F
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Lexington - Atlanta
MSN:
LC-214
YOM:
1966
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Captain / Total flying hours:
5300
Captain / Total hours on type:
176.00
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Lexington-Blue Grass Airport in poor weather conditions with negative OAT and icing conditions. While climbing, one of the engine failed after the induction system iced. Control was lost and the airplane crashed in flames in a field. All seven occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled collision with ground during climb to cruise after the pilot initiated flight in adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper operation of powerplant and powerplant controls on part of the pilot,
- Anti-icing/deicing equipment not used or incorrectly used by the pilot,
- Ice induction,
- The pilot attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment,
- Airframe ice,
- Weather conditions conducive to carburetor/induction system icing,
- Icing conditions, including sleet, freezing rain,
- Complete failure one engine,
- De-icing equipment not installed on wings and empennage,
- Owner's man stated-apply full alt air before icing conditions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Cincinnati: 8 killed

Date & Time: Oct 8, 1979 at 1008 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N6642L
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Cincinnati - Nashville
MSN:
31-580
YOM:
1969
Flight number:
OH444
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Captain / Total flying hours:
2820
Captain / Total hours on type:
45.00
Aircraft flight hours:
4317
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was engaged in a schedule service (flight OH444) from Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky Airport (Greater Cincinnati) to Nashville, carrying seven passengers and one pilot. After a roll of about 1,500 - 2,000 feet on runway 18, the pilot started the rotation. During initial climb, at an altitude of about 150 feet, the right engine lost power. The airplane entered a right turn then lost height and crashed in a field located 1,188 feet to the west of runway 18. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and all eight occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The probable cause of the accident was the loss of control following a partial loss of power immediately after liftoff. The accident could have been avoided if either the pilot had rejected the takeoff or had raised the landing gear and flaps. His failure to take decisive action may have been due to preoccupation with correcting the malfunction, and a lack of familiarity with the aircraft and with its emergency procedures. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inexperience in multiengine aircraft, a hurried departure, inadequate training, inexperienced company management, and ineffective FAA certification and surveillance of the operator.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed C-130E Hercules at Fort Campbell AFB: 5 killed

Date & Time: Dec 10, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
68-10951
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Little Rock - Fort Campbell
MSN:
4331
YOM:
1969
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
On final approach to Fort Campbell AFB, the airplane lost height and crashed short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and all five crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control caused by a broken throttle linkage.