Texas

The aircraft was involved in illegal activity when it was intentionally landed in an open pasture. During the landing, the aircraft veered left and struck a 30 inches high concrete culvert. The gear collapsed on contact with the culvert. Unknown personnel subsequently drug the aircraft with a vehicle to a barn. When they attempted to drag the aircraft into the barn, they tore the wings off and damaged the barn.

After approximately 1.5 hours of pipeline patrol flight at a planned altitude of 500 feet agl the aircraft flew into the flat terrain in a landing attitude. The aircraft went through a wire fence, heavy brush and small trees before coming to rest 437 feet from initial ground contact with all 3 gear collapsed. A physical examination and the pilot's statement indicate that the pilot was operating under an extreme amount of stress which may have resulted in chronic fatigue at the time of the accident. According to the pilot, he was accustomed to a very heavy flight schedule. The chief pilot attempted to assign an additional pilot but company budget constraints prevented such an assignment.

On or about 3/25/85, the aircraft was landed on a short private strip. During the landing, it overran the strip, then collided with a dirt bank and a tree. The pilot abandoned the aircraft. Neither he nor the new owner could be found. There was evidence that the aircraft had been set afire after the accident. The aircraft bore a registration of N23LX, but the aircraft data plate and FAA records showed that a registration of N23L should have been displayed. During a seemingly unrelated arrest, police found the records of N23L in another aircraft that was loaded with 1,500 lbs of marijuana. The pilot was presumed to have had no injuries.

The four engine aircraft was completing a training mission from Dyess AFB (Abilene) to the Gray AAF near Killeen, carrying eight crew members. En route, while flying at low height and dropping sand bags, the airplane went out of control and crashed near Fort Hood. All eight crew members were killed.

The aircraft crashed approximately 1.5 miles south of the departure end of runway 17 during an attempted runway 17 NDB approach. The aircraft was cleared for the approach at 2012 cst and the pilot canceled IFR reporting the airport in sight at 2014. A witness located approximately 1 mile south of the airport reported seeing the aircraft lights through the clouds, mist and fog as it was traveling south-southeast. The aircraft impacted the ground on a heading of 035° in a 10° to 15° left bank. Radar data indicates the aircraft was approximately 8 miles from the airport when IFR was canceled. Witnesses stated visibility in the area was about 1/8 of a mile during the time of the accident. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

No evidence of preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction was noted during wreckage examination. The FAA operations inspector who was on board at the time of the accident stated there were no aircraft problems involved. The pic, who was in the process of taking her type rating checkride in the aircraft, failed to maintain directional control during a simulated engine failure after reaching V1 speed during the takeoff run. The total flight experience for the pic was 2,454 hours, most of which was acquired in multi-engine aircraft, with 387 hours being in the make and model aircraft involved in the accident. All listed experience in this make and model was obtained as second-in-command. All three occupants were killed.

Approximately 7 minutes after takeoff (at 1441), the pilot declared an emergency and said the left engine had lost power. He feathered the engine, diverted back toward the airport and descended to VFR conditions below the clouds. At 1448, the pilot said he had the airport in sight and turned onto a left downwind for runway 15. Reportedly, he extended the landing gear and began a left turn toward the runway. Reportedly, the aircraft was too close in and/or the pilot chose to make a right turn away from the airport to land. Witnesses lost sight of the aircraft during the turn due to low clouds or obstructions. The pilot lost sight of the airport for a short time, then relocated it, but said he had his 'hands full.' Shortly thereafter, the aircraft entered a steep descent, hit the edge (roof) of a building, crashed into a utility pole and the ground and burned. There was evidence the aircraft was inverted just before impact. An exam of the left engine revealed evidence the #6 connecting rod had failed from oil exhaustion. Only one cup of oil was found in the engine and it had a history of high oil consumption. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Aerial photos were being taken of the mishap aircraft. Mission called for a simulated water landing (actual water landing prohibited) by flying as close as possible to water. Copilot at controls descended aircraft to about 6 feet, then gradually reduced clearance to 6-12 inches above water, airspeed 105 mph. Copilot inadvertently allowed aircraft to touch water. On touchdown, aircraft decelerated violently and broke up, ejecting several of the occupants and coming to rest inverted. Examination of aerial photos shows aircraft hull at touchdown was slightly nose down vice normal landing attitude; water contact made at location of nose landing gear doors. Photos show outward rupturing of forward hull structure, nose gear doors missing. Hull at rear of step showed two parallel, 3-feet long by 2-in wide, fore-to-aft and outboard-to-inboard penetrations. Floor of shallow lagoon known to have scattered debris from petroleum explorations; however, no positive determination of aircraft contact with submerged object could be made. Seven occupants were killed while three others were injured.

The aircraft was found abandoned. Wreckage scene indicates collision with trees prior to collision with terrain. Aircraft suspected of being used for illegal cargo operations. The pilot was not found.

According to law enforcement officers, the aircraft experienced double engine failure and made a forced landing in unimproved terrain. During the landing rollout the aircraft struck several trees. An intense post crash fire erupted destroying all but one wing tip of the wreckage. Repeated efforts to contact the pilot and operator have been unsuccessful. It is assumed that there were no injuries and no passengers.