Cessna 340 Safety Record

The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions and failure to maintain terrain clearance while en route. Contributing to the accident were clouds and mountainous terrain.

The pilot's intentional visual flight rules (VFR) flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain clearance from the trees and terrain during climb. Contributing to the accident were the weather conditions of fog and a low ceiling, and the mountainous/hilly terrain.

The pilot's misjudgment of speed and distance, which resulted in an overrun of the runway. Contribution factors are the pilot's inadvertent landing at the wrong airport with a shorter runway than his intended destination and limited braking effectiveness resulting from the wet runway condition.

The loss of engine power from both engines due to fuel starvation resulting from the pilot's improper fuel tank selector position. Contributing factors were the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Failure of the right main landing gear extension and retraction linkage, which allowed the gear assembly to collapse during landing rollout. An additional cause was the improper adjustment procedure(s) by undetermined mechanic(s). The runway lights struck during the accident sequence were contributing factors.

The pilot's continued flight into adverse weather, and his failure to maintain altitude during the instrument approach. Contributing factors were the presence of severe icing, moderate turbulence, and low-level wind shear.

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a turn from base to final, resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin. Contributing to the accident was the impairment of the pilot due to the combination of drugs found in his toxicological report.

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed to avoid a stall during the final approach to land. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to the use of a sedating antihistamine.

total failure of the main landing gear due to improper installation of the push-pull tubes by maintenance personnel, and their failure to follow proper procedures/directives.

the pilot's improper use of the throttles during an aborted landing attempt that resulted in an engine over-boost condition requiring a reduction in power that then resulted in a runway overrun and collision with a ditch.

The proper touchdown point not obtain/maintained by the pilot following a single-engine approach to landing. Contributing factors were the vacuum pump oil leak, the low oil pressure of the propeller control system, and the unfeathered propeller.

Failure to maintain directional control during landing. Collapse of the nose landing gear, the muddy grass/turf and the berm were contributing factors.

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering. An inadvertent stall, the pilot's failure to follow engine operation procedures and engine detonation were factors.

The pilot's inadequate compensation for downdrafts on final approach resulting in an excessive descent rate on short final. Factors include downdrafts off the approach end of the selected runway, and low clouds/fog.

the pilot's in-flight loss of control due to a Somatogravic illusion and/or spatial disorientation. Factors in the accident were the dark lighting conditions and the pilot's lack of familiarity with the airplane.

the airport committee members failure to repair or mark the faulty telephone junction box cover as a hazard. A factor in the accident was the inadequate notification process of the airport and city personnel.

An improper maintenance inspection of the landing gear system by other maintenance personnel that resulted in a worn/loose over center spring for the right main landing gear being kept in service which caused the right main landing gear not to go over center and lock, which resulted in the right main landing gear collapsing and damage to the airplane.