NTSB Reports February 2014: Recent general aviation and air carrier accidents

Thursday, January 16, 2014 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A significant number of incidents involved a total loss of engine power, leading to forced landings, crashes, or a ditching, sometimes linked to fuel management issues or maintenance.
Several fatal accidents occurred in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) or under IFR flight plans, often involving rapid descents, in-flight breakups, or loss of control, with some reports of icing or engine problems.
Other notable occurrences included mechanical failures like an engine cowling departing in flight and various operational incidents during landing or takeoff, resulting in substantial aircraft damage.

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December 1, 2013, Yellow Pine, Idaho Beech B36TC Turbocharged Bonanza
At 1303 Mountain time, radar and radio communication with the aircraft were lost. The instrument-rated private pilot and his four passengers are missing at this writing; the airplane has not been located. Instrument conditions prevailed and an IFR flight plan was in effect.

While cruising at 13,000 feet, the pilot reported he was picking up significant icing and requested a descent, then a diversion. The controller observed the airplane descend below 11,900 feet, the minimum safe altitude, and alerted the pilot. The pilot informed the controller he was having engine problems and was unable to maintain altitude. Subsequently, radar and radio contact was lost.