Cessna 340A Safety Record

The pilot's improper decision to attempt a visual approach and landing in instrument meteorological conditions and his failure to follow instrument flight rules procedures.

The hard landing of the aircraft resulting from the pilot's excessive rate of descent on the VFR approach. A factor was the loss of right engine power for an undetermined reason.

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a single engine emergency landing, after experiencing a failure of the left engine. A factor in this accident was the failure of the left engine's camshaft due to a fatigue crack.

the pilot's improper use of the throttle in not using full power for takeoff, the pilot's failure to use proper aborted takeoff procedures, and the inadvertant stall/mush. A factor associated with the accident was inadequate preflight/planning by the pilot.

The pilot's flight into known adverse weather conditions which resulted in an inadvertent stall due to airframe ice. A factor was the icing conditions.

the pilot did not comply with the decision height and his attention was diverted from his cockpit scan. The factors involved were the weather conditions were at landing minimums and a flight to his destination alternate was not performed.

failure of the pilot to comply with the published instrument approach procedure, by continuing the ILS approach below the decision height, rather than performing a missed approach; and his failure to attain a proper touchdown point for the continued landing. Factors relating to the accident were: weather below approach minimums, wet runway, and hydroplaning conditions.

The pilot's attempt to fly in adverse meteorological conditions which led a loss of aircraft control. Factors contributing to the accident include: the pilot's failure to obtain the most current information of the meteorological conditions prior to departure, a thunderstorm, and turbulence.

The pilot-in-command's allowing the aircraft's airspeed to decrease below the single-engine minimum control speed (Vmc) resulting in a stall/spin condition. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot-in-command's allowing the left engine to be shut down as well as his allowing the aircraft's airspeed to decelerate below the manufacturer's recommended intentional one-engine inoperative airspeed. A third factor was the aircraft's low altitude at the stall/spin entry which precluded a successful recovery.

the pilot's inability to maintain visual contact with the runway environment due to 'flash blindness' when he turned on the airplane's landing light, and his subsequent inability to regain control of the airplane after turning off the landing light due to his loss of night vision. A factor was the bright light condition encountered by the pilot.

the pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance in mountainous terrain. Factors contributing to the accident were: dark night conditions, mountainous terrain, and instrument meteorological conditions.

the pilot's impairment of judgment and performance due to drugs, his resultant improper planning/decision, his failure to follow proper IFR procedures, and his failure to maintain proper altitude during a missed approach. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's inadequate weather evaluation, and the adverse weather condition (below landing minimums).

THE MECHANICS IMPROPER MAINTENANCE OF THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT BRAKE SYSTEM BY FAILING TO SERVICE ITS HYDRAULIC RESERVOIR. THE LACK OF HYDRAULIC FLUID IN THE LEFT BRAKE RESERVOIR WHICH PRECIPITATED THE LEFT BRAKE FAILURE IS A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT.

THAT THE PILOT FAILED TO FOLLOW THE CORRECT EMERGENCY PROCEDURES WHEN HE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE ENGINE PROBLEMS AND IMPROPERLY USED THE FUEL BOOST PUMPS CONTRARY TO THE PILOT'S OPERATING HANDBOOK. THE INITIAL CAUSE OF THE ENGINE SURGING COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.