Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor

Monarch Air Group

While approaching Nassau-Lynden Pindling Airport runway 27 in poor weather conditions (cold front), the twin engine aircraft crashed into the sea few km offshore. Some debris were found floating on water north of Nassau. Both pilots were killed.

Richard D. Nielsen

The private pilot/owner and a passenger were transporting the pilot's multi-engine airplane to another airport so it could undergo an annual inspection. Shortly after departure, the right engine began to vibrate violently and the pilot elected to make a forced landing to a pasture. The airplane caught on fire and both radial engines separated from the airframe and sustained impact damage. The pilot was not rated by the FAA to operate multi-engine airplanes and he had not received any formal training in the airplane. The accident flight was his first time flying the airplane by himself. The airplane had not received an annual inspection in approximately 8 years prior to the accident. Examination of the right engine revealed extensive mechanical damage possibly due to a connecting rod failure.

American Airpower Heritage Museum

During the instructional flight, the instructor shut down the right engine and feathered the propeller. It was subsequently restarted, but the left engine started running rough and began to vibrate. The left engine was shut down and the propeller feathered. Level flight was maintained from power produced by the right engine. The left engine was then restarted but instead of producing thrust, the engine produced more drag so it was secured again. Then the right engine began losing power. Full power was applied but the airplane continued to descend. The instructor lowered the landing gear and while in-transit, the airplane clipped the tops of trees. He was able to guide the airplane between two houses and impacted an open field. The airplane bounced across the road, struck a power pole, and caught fire. The two pilots evacuated the airplane via the main cabin door. Examination at the airport of departure disclosed two pools of oil at the approximate positions of the two engines. There were two trails of oil leading from the parking spot down the taxiway and onto the runway. Both engines were partially disassembled and examined. There was evidence that both engines had failed catastrophically due to oil starvation. The left engine crankshaft was broken and all the piston heads were at the tops of their cylinders. Pieces of metal were recovered from the right engine oil sump. According to the operator, the engine rocker box recovery system must be drained during preflight to avoid hydraulic lock. The instructor stated that when they preflighted the airplane, the drain valves were open (the drained oil is captured and recycled). He thought they had closed both valves. According to the operator, either the pilot's failed to close the drain valves or they were jammed in the open position. The operator said the latter was unlikely "because you can feel it move when you close it."

Bellair

The solo airline transport pilot departed on a commercial cargo flight in a twin-engine, turboprop airplane. As the flight approached the destination airport, visibility decreased below the 2 mile minimum required for the initiation of the approach. The pilot entered a holding pattern, and waited for the weather to improve. After holding for about 45 minutes, the ceiling and visibility had improved, and the flight was cleared for the ILS 25 instrument approach. After the pilot's initial contact with ATCT personnel, no further radio communications were received. When the flight did not reach the destination airport, it was reported overdue. A search in the area of an ELT signal located the accident airplane on a hilly, tree-covered island. A witness located to the north of the airport reported seeing a twin-engine turboprop airplane flying very low over the water, headed in an easterly direction, away from the airport. The witness added that the weather at the time consisted of very low clouds, fog, and rain, with zero-zero visibility. A local resident also stated that the weather conditions were often much lower over the water adjacent to the approach end of the airport than at the airport itself. The missed approach procedure for the ILS 25 approach is a climbing left turn to the south. About one minute after the accident, a special weather observation was reporting, in part: Wind, 060 degrees (true) at 11 knots; visibility, 2 statute miles in light rain and mist; clouds and sky condition, 500 feet broken, 900 feet broken, 1,500 feet overcast; temperature, 46 degrees F; dew point, 44 degrees F. According to FAA records, the company was not authorized to conduct single pilot IFR operations in the accident airplane, and that the accident pilot was the operator's chief pilot. Toxicology tests revealed cocaethylene and chlorpheniramine in the pilot's blood and urine.

Aircraft Guaranty Corporation Trustee

The privately owned and operated Beech UC45-J was flying out of an outfitter's camp located near Swan Lake, Yukon Territory. The aircraft departed the clay-and-gravel strip for Mayo with one pilot, two passengers, luggage, and a reported load of 800 pounds of moose and caribou meat. The aircraft accelerated down the runway in a normal fashion, with the tail becoming airborne first. The aircraft left the surface of the runway and began a steep climb, followed by a yaw and bank to the left. The aircraft entered the Pleasant Creek valley off the end of the runway in a near-vertical, nose-down attitude. An explosion occurred, followed by a plume of smoke. Two persons immediately attempted to rescue the pilot and the passengers but discovered the aircraft partly submerged in the creek and engulfed in flames from the post-crash fire. There were no survivors.

John M. Stone

The airplane bounced on landing and started to swerve on the landing roll. The pilot attempted a go-around. The left engine hesitated and the right engine developed power. The pilot lost directional control, the airplane went off the left side of the runway and collapsed the left main landing gear.

Brutlag Aviation

The pilot said he performed three-point touchdown, landing to the east on a grass airstrip. He said, '... as we landed, the tail wanted to come up, so I pulled the stick all the way back and held it back ... while I was reaching to lift the flaps off.' The pilot said that before he got the flaps retracted, he noticed the tail was coming up again. He ensured that the power was off and his feet were off the brakes. 'The airplane came up on its nose. We were almost stopped before we flipped on our back over the nose.' The pilot said that when he later returned to the airplane, he noticed the 'T-handle brake lever was 3/4 engaged.' Examination of the airplane revealed heavy longitudinally running grass rubbing on both tires. The brake discs were free and the wheels rotated freely. An examination of the field showed a pair of parallel-running tire marks moving toward the north side of the landing strip, and 11 succeeding slashes in the ground running perpendicular to the parallel tire tracks on the airplane's left side. An examination of the remaining airplane systems revealed no anomalies. Wind conditions, reported 14 minutes after the accident, were 010° at 7 knots.

Sky Charter-Cargo

During departure, the rubber connector for the fuel supply line to the right engine oil dilution valve split at the dilution valve on the aft side of the firewall. The engine would not operate unless the electric boost pump was turned on. While returning to the departure airport, a fire erupted in the right wheel after the landing gear was extended. The cockpit filled with smoke during the landing rollout, and the pilot lost directional control do to not being able to see. The aircraft rolled into a canal and came to rest. The split rubber fuel line connector was dry and brittle and did not have any fire damage. No other sources of fuel leakage was found.

Sabre Aviation

The pilot reported that as he overflew the Tri-City airport, Tennessee at 9,000 feet, the right engine power slowly decreased. The airplane was in the clouds with an outside air temperature of about zero degrees Celsius. Right engine manifold heat was applied for a few seconds, with no noticeable difference in engine performance. The right magnetos were also checked with no obvious malfunctions noted. A descent for landing was initiated to the Tri-City airport and manifold heat was applied and removed several times, with no appreciable effect. On short final approach, when the landing gear was extended, the right main gear did not indicate down. There was insufficient time to perform the emergency gear extension procedure. A go-around was initiated, during which the pilot discovered that the left manifold heat control was now stuck in the 'ON' position. The pilot stated that with less than full power available on the left engine, and the right propeller unfeathered, the airplane could be climbed to about 200 feet. He flew the airplane until terrain clearance was no longer possible, then landed in a field, gear up. The airplane slid into trees and was substantially damaged.

Selkirk Air

The Beech 18 seaplane was departing a fishing camp at Bradburn Lake, Manitoba, for its third flight of the day en route to the operator's base at Selkirk. After boarding the passengers and loading the baggage for the flight, the pilot taxied the aircraft to a position near the southwest shore of the lake and started the take-off run on an approximate heading of 015° true. During the take-off run, after the aircraft was "on the step," the pilot noticed a yaw to the left. He corrected the yaw with the aircraft's rudders and with differential engine power. Shortly thereafter, at about 60 miles per hour (mph), the yaw recurred and worsened. The left float separated from the aircraft and the left wing struck the water. The aircraft turned sharply to the left, stopped in the water, and came to rest on its left wing tip in about 15 feet of water. The pilot and the six passengers were not injured; they exited the sinking aircraft and swam to shore. The accident occurred at 1040 central daylight saving time (CDT) during daylight hours at latitude 51°55'N and longitude 95°35'W.

Harolds Flying Service

The pilot-in-command stated that shortly after takeoff, when the airplane was about 150 feet above the ground over a stand of trees, the left engine lost power. The pilots made a hard forced landing in a field, skidded and came to a stop against a farm building. The power loss occurred over a wooded area. Postaccident examination revealed the left engine driven fuel pump shaft had failed. Airplane records indicated the most recent maintenance occurred in november 1991. The airplane had flown 148 hours since that date.

Eagle Airways - USA

Radar data showed the airplane tracking north of the planned route. It made several heading changes, and descended to 500 feet msl. The pilot advised ATC that he was landing at Shreveport, and was assigned a transponder code. No further transmissions were received by ATC. The airplane impacted transmission lines, poles, and trees approx 19 miles northwest of the airport. Examination of the propellers revealed that the right spinner dome marks equated to 74°; the operating range is 17-35°. The three blades of the left propeller showed only leading edge damage at the tips. Examination of the right engine revealed the following: carbon buildup in the exhaust and intake manifolds, exhaust valves pitted and scored, valve seats worn and pitted, spark plugs worn, compression below 60 on 4 cylinders, and a separated magneto block with pitting and fretting. Time since last annual inspection by operator maintenance personnel was 78 hrs. The left engine and accessories were extensively damaged by fire. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Hast

The non-certificated foreign military pilot (first pilot) and a U.S. Certificated airline transport pilot (second pilot) planned to ferry an airplane to Australia with an intermediate stop in Hawaii. Auxiliary fuel and engine oil tanks were installed in the airplane. The airplane had been authorized a special airworthiness certificate for over gross weight operations for the ferry flight. The first pilot had accrued 50 hours and the second pilot accrued 25 hours in the accident airplane prior to the overweight departure. During the takeoff, the airplane became airborne at 100 knots of airspeed. The airplane pitched up and began to dutch roll. At about 50 feet above the ground, the airplane stalled and descended to the runway. A fire erupted in the cabin area.

EXA

After takeoff, the airplane was seen at low altitude trailing smoke from the left engine. Witnesses saw the wings 'tipping' back and forth, then a wing dropped and hit the ground. Examination revealed that a supercharger bearing had failed in the left engine. The left engine had been recently installed by non-certificated personnel after being inactive for 18 years without preservation. The airplane had flown about 184 hours since the last annual inspection; no record of subsequent 100-hr inspection. The left prop blades were found in an intermediate position between the operating range and the feathered position. The left prop was changed several weeks prior to the accident. There is no evidence that the left prop had ever been successfully cycled to the full feather position. The operator and pilots were not aware of hamilton standard SB 657 recommending full-feather checks every 30 days. Left prop feathering motor relays not recovered. All 11 parachutists were found in center part of fuselage; no evidence of restraint usage. All 12 occupants were killed.

Commuter Air Philippines

Upon landing, the twin engine aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest upside down, bursting into flames. Both pilots were injured and the aircraft was destroyed by fire. It was inbound to Manilla following a cargo flight from Masbate, carrying a load of fish and shrimps.

Air Cargo America

Witnesses observed the aircraft taxi to the end of runway 27R and positioned so the tail was out in the overrun area. Witnesses further stated the aircraft appeared to take an overly long takeoff roll before lifting off. After lift off, the aircraft pitched up vertically, climbed to about 100 feet, rolled left inverted, crashed to the ground in a dive on a heading of 035° and burst into flames. The aircraft was 955 pounds over maximum gross weight and the cg was 14.5 inches aft of the most rearward limit. The weight and balance form had been altered to indicate the aircraft was within limits for weight and balance prior to departure. Examination of faa records revealed Air Cargo America had been cited for numerous breaches of federal air regulations and the pilot-in-command had a history of suspensions/revocations of his pilot airman in certificate. A pilot of Air Cargo America reported the company pressured their pilots to operate the aircraft outside the requirements of the federal air regulations. FAA was notified of these practices in 1985. Both occupants were killed.

Connie Kalitta Services

The aircraft was a Beech TC-45J that had been modified into a Hamilton Turboliner under STC SA-1821-WE. During arrival, the pilot reported that he encountered moderate icing at 4,000 feet. He made a localizer-only approach to runway 35. An ATC specialist stated that they saw the aircraft break out of the clouds over the approach end of the runway. At about that time, the pilot transmitted that he was going to enter a left base turn for runway 35 and that he had the runway in sight. He started a turn, and shortly thereafter, the aircraft enter a steep nose down attitude. The aircraft impacted in a railroad yard in a relatively level attitude with the landing gear extended and the wing flaps retracted. However, during impact, it was still descending at a steep angle (estimated approximately 30°). It was destroyed by impact and ground fire. No preimpact, mechanical failure or malfunction was found. The minimum ceiling and visibility for a straight-in approach were 500 feet and one mile, and for a circling approach, the minimums were 700 feet and one mile. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Green Aircraft Service

The aircraft crashed in a wooded area during a forced landing following a power loss on both of its engines. The aircraft had been flown to Bimini from Opa-Locka, FL. About 75 gallons of fuel was drained from the aircraft. Upon the return to Fort Lauderdale, FL, the landing gear had to be manually operated because of a known pre-existing electrical problem. This also precluded radio communications. Upon executing a touch and go landing at Fort Lauderdale the fuel pressure lights which had been flickering now came on steady on the right engine. The pilot cut the mixture on that engine at 500 feet agl. Almost immediately the left engine light came on and it quit also. The aircraft was crash landed. Post accident examination revealed that all fuel tanks were empty. The aircraft owner said the aircraft had 145 gallons on board prior to leaving Florida. The aircraft flew about one hour and 20 minutes at 50 gallons an hour plus offloading 75 gallons at Bimini.

Raymond A. Waldrop

The aircraft crashed into a lake during a forced landing after the engines quit. The pilot-in-command had gone for a local flight with a pilot/passenger. After a few minutes of flight he announced that they did not have any fuel. The aircraft was on an approach to return when both engines began to cut out. The aircraft did not make the runway and impacted in the lake. The occupants were able to evacuate and were picked up by fishermen. The aircraft came to rest on the bottom of the lake. The aircraft had just completed a cross-country with the same pilot-in-command and no refueling was accomplished.

M. H. Yarter

The aircraft was on a local flight involving a parachute jumping activity. In addition to the pilot, there were 12 parachutists and an observer on board. The pilot initiated his takeoff on runway 18. A witness stated that shortly after takeoff, the engine power was reduced to climb power, followed by the gear retraction. Reportedly, the aircraft had climbed to about 150 feet agl when the nose pitched up, the plane rolled to the left and then it crashed in a steep left bank, nose down attitude. An investigation revealed that the aircraft was loaded well beyond its maximum gross weight and aft cg limits. The amount of fuel on board was not verified, but even with no fuel, the plane would have been about 580 lbs over the maximum limit. With 100 gallons, the estimated gross weight would have been about 9,939 lbs with the cg at about 121 inches. The maximum certificated gross weight was 8,750 lbs with an aft cg limit of 117.6 inches. Extensive ground fire damage, but no preimpact, mechanical discrepancies evident.

Panorama Air Tour

The purpose of the flight was to be a reindoctrination/training flight for the second-in-command. Witnesses observed the aircraft off shore flying parallel to the cliffs approximately 500 feet over the water. The aircraft banked left then right to a 90° right wing low attitude wing-over type maneuver and descend into the ocean off Waimanalo. The aircraft was not recovered. All three occupants were killed.

Private American

Crashed in unknown circumstances near Lehigh Acres while engaged in an illegal flight. There were no casualties.

Private American

About 18 minutes after takeoff, the pilot radioed that the n°2 engine had lost power and that he was returning to land at Mcallen. While approaching to land, the aircraft crashed in an open field about 400 yards short of the runway and 115 feet right of the approach lights. During impact, the aircraft was in an inverted attitude, in about a 150 degree right roll and 15 degrees nose down. After impact, an intense fire erupted. An examination of the wreckage revealed no preimpact malfunction or failure except that the right propeller blades were set at 65 degrees. The angle of the blades should have been 86 degrees when in the full feathered position. The aircraft was estimated to be 753 lbs over its maximum gross weight limit at the time of the accident. With the gear down and flaps up, the vmc was calculated to be 92 mph with the propeller windmilling and 87 mph with the propeller feathered.

Jump Hawaii Club

The twin engine airplane departed Honolulu Airport to take part to a local airshow, carrying 11 skydivers and one pilot. While making a turn toward the jump area, the airplane entered a spin. Four occupants parachuted before the airplane crashed in Pearl Harbour. Only one passenger survived the crash and was seriously injured while 11 other occupants were killed. The airplane was destroyed.

Aurora Air Services

While cruising in poor weather conditions on a cargo flight from Barrow to Fairbanks, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed in a wooded and hilly terrain located near a pipeline, in the region of Livengood. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

North Cariboo Flying Service

The aircraft was completing a cargo flight from Yuma to Spokane with an intermediate stop in Beatty, Nevada, and was carrying a load consisting of two tyres and a spare engine. Following several non standard turns in traffic pattern, the twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed. Both occupants were killed.

Express Airways

En route from Hagerstown to Harrisburg, the crew reported engine problems and was cleared to divert to the nearest airport. He eventually decided to attempt an emergency landing in a field near Bermudian Valley Airpark, PA. Both occupants were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Miller Air Transporters Company

The pilot, sole on board, was completing an illegal flight to Santa Barbara when the airplane crashed in a mountainous area located on the San Clemente Island. The accident occurred in unknown circumstances and the wreckage was found seven months later on September 11, 1981. The pilot was killed. A load of 900 lbs of marijuana was also found in and around the wreckage.

ABC Airlines

During a night takeoff roll at Abilene Airport in poor weather conditions, the pilot lost control of the airplane that ground looped. The airplane lost its undercarriage and came to a halt on its belly. The pilot, sole on board, was slightly injured.

Polynesian Air-Ways

En route from San Jose to Honolulu on a delivery flight, the pilot informed ATC about an engine failure and elected to ditch the airplane about 1,500 km northwest of Honolulu. The aircraft came to rest in water and the pilot was killed.

Northern Air Service - USA

While approaching Grand Rapids-Gerald R. Ford Airport on a ferry flight from Baltimore, the twin engine airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in an open field located in Hastings, about 18,5 miles southeast of the destination airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed, debris scattered on a wide area and all four occupants were killed.

Shane Aviation

On approach to Allentown-Bethlehem Easton Airport, the crew encountered limited visibility due to foggy conditions and low ceiling. The twin engine aircraft descended below the glide, struck trees and crashed in a wooded area located in Slatington, about 10,5 miles short of runway 13 threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were injured.

David Brumfield

The twin engine airplane departed a soft runway at Bordelonville-Brumfield Airstrip. After liftoff, it encountered difficulties to gain height, struck trees and crashed on a farm building. A passenger was seriously injured while five other occupants were killed.

Cim Associates

After takeoff from Lake Elsinore-Skylark Field, while climbing, the airplane suffered an engine failure. It lost height and crashed into Lake Elsinore, few hundred yards offshore. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Sizer Airways

Shortly after a night takeoff from Jamestown Airport, the twin engine airplane encountered difficulties to gain height when it struck power cables and crashed in a field located in Spiritwood, about eight miles from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Statewide Air

Shortly after takeoff from Honolulu Airport, while in initial climb, the airplane lost height and crashed into the sea few hundred yards offshore. The pilot was rescued while the aircraft was lost.

Marvin Chrapun

Upon landing at Snow Lake Airstrip, the twin engine airplane went out of control and came to rest upside down. The pilot, sole on board, was killed, and the airplane was destroyed by a post crash fire.

Johnston Airways

On final approach by night to Detroit-Willow Run (Ypsilanti) Airport, the pilot encountered foggy conditions. He failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck the ground and crashed few miles short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.

Jon W. Myers

During an adverse bounced landing at Kasilof Airstrip, the cargo shifted and the airplane went out of control. It crashed and came to rest in flames. Both occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Adrian H. Meredith

On approach to Beatty, one of the engine failed. The pilot elected to make a go-around when the airplane lost height, struck power cables and crashed. All four occupants were slightly injured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Burlington Air Express

On approach to Milwaukee-General Billy Mitchell Airport by night and marginal weather conditions, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the twin engine airplane struck approach lights. It lost height, struck a fence and came to rest near the runway threshold. The pilot, sole on board, was injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

John D. Fonseca

While descending to Sonoma-Skypark by night and low clouds, the twin engine airplane stalled and crashed. Both occupants were killed. A witness at airport heard the aircraft flying low over hanger, turning south, engines surge then silence. At the time of the accident, the visibility was 2 miles or less.

African Overland Safaris

Just after liftoff from Lanseria Airport, the twin engine airplane sank back onto the runway. It slid on its belly and came to rest. There were no casualties.

Open Air International

While taking off from an unlighted grass strip by night, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed in flames. Both occupants were killed.

Bard Air Freight

After takeoff from Detroit-City Airport, the twin engine airplane encountered difficulties to gain height. It struck power cables, stalled and crashed. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Falcon Airways - USA

Shortly after takeoff from Lafayette Regional Airport, while climbing by night, the airplane lost height, struck trees and crashed in a swamp. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed. Weather conditions were marginal at the time of the accidents with fog.

Private American

After landing on a snow covered runway, the twin engine airplane ground looped, hit a barrel and came to rest. The aircraft was set afire and destroyed and the pilot disappeared. Transport of contraband.

Ontario Central Airlines

While landing on rough water at Pickle Lake, the seaplane struck waves. The float dug into water and the airplane overturned and came to rest upside down. All occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Southern Aviation - USA

Just after liftoff from Tulsa Airport, while on a night cargo flight from Lawton to Kansas City, the left engine failed. As the crew was unable to feather the propeller due to congealed oil, the airplane stalled, struck power cables and crashed in a huge explosion. The aircraft was totally destroyed and both occupants were killed.

George A. Sanborn

The pilot, sole on board, was completing a drug smuggling light and the aircraft was carrying a load of marijuana. Following a complete failure of both engines, the pilot attempted an emergency landing in a desert area when the airplane crash landed in a dry lake bed and hit a ditch. The aircraft was abandoned and the pilot was not found.