Nashville - Indianapolis

The aircraft was being operated as general aviation flight 115 and was departing on a routine night flight. During takeoff/initial climb, the left engine lost power. The flight crew attempted to control the climb-out, but following the application of water-methanol, the pilot lost directional control. Subsequently, the aircraft banked to the left, entered a descent and impacted between the parallel runway. An investigation disclosed that the left propeller's blade angle was 21°. No preimpact system malfunction or failure was found. The cockpit voice recording indicated that the flight crew did not complete all of the items on the before taxi/takeoff checklist. One of the items (presumably not completed) was a check of the h.p. cock levers. The checklist required that the h.p. cock levers be in 'cruise lockout' for takeoff. The left h.p. cock lever was found between the 'fuel off' and 'feather' positions. Movement to this position would have deactivated the auto-feather sys and shut down the left engine. Both pilots were killed.

Flight / Schedule

Nashville - Indianapolis

Registration

N181TG

MSN

181

Year of Manufacture

1967

Date

May 31, 1985 at 11:00 PM

Type

CRASH

Flight Type

Cargo

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Crash Location

Nashville-Intl Tennessee

Region

North America • United States of America

Coordinates

36.1265°, -86.6952°

Crash Cause

Human factor

Narrative Report

On May 31, 1985 at 11:00 PM, Nashville - Indianapolis experienced a crash involving Grumman G-159 Gulfstream I, operated by General Aviation Inc., with the event recorded near Nashville-Intl Tennessee.

The flight was categorized as cargo and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

2 people were known to be on board, 2 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 2, crew fatalities: 2, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. The aircraft was being operated as general aviation flight 115 and was departing on a routine night flight. During takeoff/initial climb, the left engine lost power. The flight crew attempted to control the climb-out, but following the application of water-methanol, the pilot lost directional control. Subsequently, the aircraft banked to the left, entered a descent and impacted between the parallel runway. An investigation disclosed that the left propeller's blade angle was 21°. No preimpact system malfunction or failure was found. The cockpit voice recording indicated that the flight crew did not complete all of the items on the before taxi/takeoff checklist. One of the items (presumably not completed) was a check of the h.p. cock levers. The checklist required that the h.p. cock levers be in 'cruise lockout' for takeoff. The left h.p. cock lever was found between the 'fuel off' and 'feather' positions. Movement to this position would have deactivated the auto-feather sys and shut down the left engine. Both pilots were killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration N181TG, MSN 181, year of manufacture 1967.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 36.1265°, -86.6952°.

Fatalities

Total

2

Crew

2

Passengers

0

Other

0

Crash Summary

The aircraft was being operated as general aviation flight 115 and was departing on a routine night flight. During takeoff/initial climb, the left engine lost power. The flight crew attempted to control the climb-out, but following the application of water-methanol, the pilot lost directional control. Subsequently, the aircraft banked to the left, entered a descent and impacted between the parallel runway. An investigation disclosed that the left propeller's blade angle was 21°. No preimpact system malfunction or failure was found. The cockpit voice recording indicated that the flight crew did not complete all of the items on the before taxi/takeoff checklist. One of the items (presumably not completed) was a check of the h.p. cock levers. The checklist required that the h.p. cock levers be in 'cruise lockout' for takeoff. The left h.p. cock lever was found between the 'fuel off' and 'feather' positions. Movement to this position would have deactivated the auto-feather sys and shut down the left engine. Both pilots were killed.

Cause: Human factor

Occupants & Outcome

Crew On Board

2

Passengers On Board

0

Estimated Survivors

0

Fatality Rate

100.0%

Known people on board: 2

Operational Details

Schedule / Flight

Nashville - Indianapolis

Flight Type

Cargo

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Region / Country

North America • United States of America

Aircraft Details

Registration

N181TG

MSN

181

Year of Manufacture

1967

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