20010331008129A

(-23)During the attempted landing/go around the aircraft was observed in an extremely nose high attitude. Winds were approximately 230/15. Aircraft impacted the ground left of the runway at mid-field. The aircraft caught fire and burned. No indication of aircraft mechanical malfunctions were noted. (.19)on March 31, 2001, about 1015 eastern standard time, an Aerostar PA-60-601P, N900CE, registered to crosco, inc., operating as a title 14 CFR part 91 personal flight, crashed while attempting a landing at the Marco Island executive airport, Marco Island, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was destroyed and the commercially-rated pilot, the sole occupant, recieved fatal injuries. The flight departed venice municipal airport, venice, Florida, about 30 minutes before the accident. According to eyewitnesses, N900CE'S approach to runway 17 appeared unstable. The winds were from the southwest at about 15 knots, gusting to about 20 knots, and the pilot appeared to have a hard time lining up with the runway centerline. The pilot appeared to either attempt a g o-around, climbing to about 50 feet AGL, with little or no power advance, or attempt to touchdown further down the runway. At about mid-length of the runway, the aircraft entered a steep left bank and nose drop until the left wingtip contacted the terrain. The aircraft skidded sideways and came to rest about 180 feet east of the runway, heading about 10 degrees magnetic, in mangrove growth and burned. (.4) on March 31, 2001, about 1015 eastern standard time, an Aerostar PA-60-601P, N900CE, registered to crosco, inc., operating as a title 14 CFR part 91 personal flight, crashed while attempting a landing at the Marco Island executive airport, Marco Island, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was destroyed and the commercially-rated pilot, the sole occupant, received fatal injuries. The flight departed venice municipal airport, venice, Florida, about 30 minutes before the accident. According to eyewitnesses, N900CE'S approach to runway 17 appeared unstable. The winds were from the southwest at about 15 knots, gusting to about 20 knots, and the pilot appeared to have difficulty lini ng lining up with the runway centerline, as well as appearing excessively fast on approach. The pilot appeared to either attempt a go-around, climbing to about 50 feet AGL, with little or no power advance, or attempt touching down further down the runway. At about 1/3 to 1/2 way down the runway, the aircraft entered a steep left bank and nose drop until the left wing tip contacted the terrain. The aircraft skidded sideways into mangrove tree growth and burned. All witnesses stated the aircraft was operating on both engines. One witness who was positioned near the FBO radio stated N900CE'S pilot sounded "normal" and mentioned no abnormalities during his initial call up prior to his landing approach. According to two passengers, an faa-rated current pilot and his wife, who accompanied the pilot/owner the day before the accident during the flight leg from akron, Ohio to venice, the pilot/owner flew the aircraft on an instrument meteorological conditions, (IMC) flight plan while the passenger/pilot handled the radios. The flight, as well as the descent, approach, and landing at venice was normal and unremarkable. The pilot/passenger stated that the pilot/owner tended to use differential engine power to maintain runway centerline tracking during crosswind landings. Thunderstorms in the southwestern Florida peninsular precluded the pilot/owner from continuing the flight to Marco Island that evening, and he overnighted with the couple near venice. Following dinner that included two tall iced teas or diet cokes, and definitely no mixed drinks containing quinine water, the couple and the pilot/owner retired about 10 o'clock. The next morning the couple and the pilot/owner arose, had breakfast, drove the pilot/owner to the airport, and watched his uneventful departure at about 0930 to 0945.