19971220039289A

Acft crashed und unk circum shortly after takeoff all 3 POB suffered fatal inj. Findaly, OH. (.19) on December 20, 1997, at 0700 eastern standard time, a Beech A36, N5050G, operated by g f aviation inc. of Findlay, Ohio, was destroyed when it collided with trees during initial climb from Findlay Airport, Findlay, Ohio. The pilot in command, a certified airline transport pilot, occupied the right front seat, and the non-instrument rated private pilot that occupied the left front seat, were fatally injured. Also a pilot rated passenger seated in the rear was fatally injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan had been filed for the flight that was conducted under 14 CFR part 91. The flight originated at Findlay, and was destined for white plains, new york. According to the general manager of the parent company of g f aviation, the pilot in the left front seat was the ceo of the company, and the owner of the airplane. The purpose of the flight was to fly the ceo home for the weekend. A weather observer at the airport said, the airplane radioed that he was departing runway 18. The observer issued the altimeter setting, and the pilot of 5050G commented that the visibility was getting better. The observer said he went outside to check the weather to issue a special report when he heard sirens, and saw the police heading south on state route 15. Several witnesses heard the airplane takeoff, and also heard the impact. A witnes driving on the southbound lane of state route 15 said, she observed a white light and green light pass in front of her car, and then an explosion followed. Another witness who lived on a nearby raod, said she awoke to the sound of an airplane taking off. She said shortly after, she heard a hight pitched explosion. When she looked outside she saw a huge ora en an explosion followed. Preliminary examination of the accident site revealed impact scars at the tops of 75 foot high trees in a wooded area, off the departure end of runway 18. Paint chips and broken limbs along the wreckage path indicated a general magnetic heading of 114 degrees. Beyond the wooded area, the left wing tip was found alongside the southbound lane of state route 15. Impact scars were also observed on a fence beyond route 15, and then another road. Both wings, the fuselange, and engine came to rest inv erted in a second wooded area where he wings, fuselange and flight instruments were destroyed by fire. Initial examination revealed no external evidence of catastrophic engine failure; however, the engine was removed fur further examination. The Findlay 0650 weather observation reported the winds from 310 degrees at 4 knots; visibility, 1/4 statue miles in fog; ceiling, 100 feet indefinite; temperature 32 degrees fahrenheit (f); dew point, 30 degrees f, and altimeter, 30.00 hg. (.4)the purpose of the flight was to fly the chief executive officer home for the weekend. Several witnesses heard the airplane takeoff, and also heard the impact. A witness driving on the southbound lane of state route 15 said she observed a white light and a green light pass in front of her car, and then an explosion followed. After departing on runway 18, the airplane impacted the tops of 75 foot high trees in a wooded area, along the east side of the airport approximately mid-way between the runway and accident site. The aircraft then impacted the edge of a road, continued across a service road and ditch, and was destroyed by fire. Paint chips and broken lim bs along the wreckage path indicated a general magnetic heading of 114 degrees and 7 feet of the outboard section of left wing was found about 150 feet from the initial ground impact point. The manipulator of the controls at the time of the accident could not be determined, as the pilot in command, a certificated airline transport pilot, occupied the right front seat, and the non-instrument rated private pilot occupied the left front seat. The reported weather at the time of the accident was ceiling 100 feet, visibility 1/4 mile in fog. Dawn lighting conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. (-23) the aircraft took off runway 18 and turned left before the end of the runway to exit the airport area. The weather was observed at 0650 to be 100 foot overcast and 1/4 mile visibility and fog. A special observation was taken at 0719 showing overcast at 7500 feet with 1 mile visibility and mist. The pilot in the left front seat was a private pilot and president of the corporation that owned the airplane. The pilot in the right front held an ATP and was the company cheif pilot. The aircraft reached its highest point at the beginning of a woods adjacent to the east of the runway. The aircraft brushed the tree tops at the beginning and descended through the woods and becoming inverted. The airplane impacted the ground inverted and became temporarily airborne and then crashed into another woods. The airplane exploded resulting in demolition. The three occupants were killed.