Aircraft stall and crash during final approach

No fatalities • Hawesville-Hancock County-Ron Lewis Field, United States of America • Landing (descent or approach)

A twin-engine airplane crashed short of the runway during its final approach, resulting in no injuries but significant damage to the aircraft.

What happened

During the final approach phase of flight, a twin engine airplane experienced an aerodynamic stall. The loss of lift caused the aircraft to descend prematurely, leading to a crash located short of the runway threshold.

Despite the impact, all seven occupants on board were able to exit the wreckage without sustaining any injuries. While there were no casualties, the aircraft sustained damage that was classified as beyond repair.

Findings

Investigations into the accident determined that the crew misjudged both their altitude and their distance from the runway. This error in spatial awareness led to a failure to maintain the necessary flying speed, which ultimately resulted in the stall that caused the crash.

Probable cause

The crew failed to maintain adequate airspeed due to incorrect assessments of altitude and distance from the runway during final approach.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1978-01-19 Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquise accident near Hawesville-Hancock County-Ron Lewis Field, United States of America?

A twin-engine airplane crashed short of the runway during its final approach, resulting in no injuries but significant damage to the aircraft.

Were there any fatalities in the 1978-01-19 Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquise accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1978-01-19 involved a Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquise, registration N115S, operated by Southwire Company, at Hawesville-Hancock County-Ron Lewis Field, United States of America.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The crew failed to maintain adequate airspeed due to incorrect assessments of altitude and distance from the runway during final approach.

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