Birmingham - Oxford

On December 16, 1984 at 12:30 PM, Birmingham - Oxford experienced a crash involving Convair CV-440 Metropolitan, operated by Air Resorts Airlines, with the event recorded near Jasper-Walker County-Bevill Field Alabama.

The flight was categorized as charter/taxi (non scheduled revenue flight) and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

39 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 39 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.

Crew on board: 5, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 34, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. Shortly after climbing and leveling at 6,000 feet, the right engine bmep gage indicated a rapid power loss and the right engine rpm 'increased out of control' to about 3,100 rpm. The aircrew retarded the right throttle and reduced the right engine to 2,100 rpm by using the prop increase/decrease toggle switch. The aircrew were unable to feather the right propeller or maintain altitude, so they diverted to the nearest airport (Walker County). While turning downwind for runway 09, the right engine fire indicator activated and the copilot confirmed a fire. Both fire bottles were discharged and the right propeller stopped rotating. Injection water for the left engine was exhausted and the left engine began backfiring. The captain then maneuvered and landed on runway 27. After touchdown, the right main tires failed, the aircraft veered off the right side of the runway and hit a ditch and the gear collapsed. An exam revealed the #6 cylinder link rod and/or piston in the right engine had failed, resulting in further damage to the engine and #6 cylinder. Subsequently, fire and heat caused the right engine to seize and also damaged the right main tires which failed at touchdown. All 39 occupants were evacuated, among them two passengers were seriously injured.

Aircraft reference details include registration N44828, MSN 468, year of manufacture 1958.