Aircraft accident off Waimanalo during training flight

3 fatalities • Bellows Field AFB (Waimanalo), United States of America • Flight

A training flight involving a second-in-command ended in a fatal crash into the ocean near Waimanalo after an improper maneuver.

What happened

A flight intended for the purpose of reindoctrination and training for a second-in-command resulted in a fatal accident off the coast of Waimanalo. During the operation, observers noted the aircraft flying at an altitude of approximately 500 feet above the water, maintaining a path parallel to the nearby cliffs.

The flight sequence involved a series of banking turns, moving from left to right. This culminated in a wing-over maneuver that brought the aircraft into a 90-degree right wing-low attitude. Following this maneuver, the aircraft descended into the ocean. The wreckage was not recovered following the impact. There were three fatalities among the occupants of the aircraft.

Findings

Investigations into the accident identified the primary factor as an improper use of flight controls by the pilot in command during a maneuvering phase of flight. This led to an in-flight collision with the water.

Probable cause

The pilot in command improperly utilized the aircraft's flight controls during a maneuver, resulting in a collision with the ocean surface.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1982-10-03 Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor accident near Bellows Field AFB (Waimanalo), United States of America?

A training flight involving a second-in-command ended in a fatal crash into the ocean near Waimanalo after an improper maneuver.

Were there any fatalities in the 1982-10-03 Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 3 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1982-10-03 involved a Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor, registration N215H, operated by Panorama Air Tour, at Bellows Field AFB (Waimanalo), United States of America.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot in command improperly utilized the aircraft's flight controls during a maneuver, resulting in a collision with the ocean surface.

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