Narrative:
The Martin, loaded with 600gal of pesticide settled back on the runway after a long takeoff run. The aircraft struck a 12 feet high dirt mound, flipped inverted and caught fire. It was determined that the pilot held a private certificate with ASMEL ratings and his medical certificate was denied. The co-pilot held a commercial certificate with ASEL rating, but none of the pilots appeared to have any operating experience on the Martin 4-0-4. The weight of the aircraft on takeoff was calculated to be 44,492 pounds, while the maximum gross total weight for a 4500 feet runway 'dry' takeoff was approx. 37,900 pounds.
PROBABLE CAUSE:
- Inadequate certification/approval - Op'n/operator..Company/operator mgmt
- Aircraft performance,takeoff capability..Exceeded
- Aircraft weight and balance..Exceeded..Pilot in command
- Airspeed(Vlof)..Not attained..Pilot in command
- Proper climb rate..Not possible..Pilot in command
- Remedial action..Not possible..Pilot in command
Contributing Factors:
- Fluid,ADI fluid..Inoperative
- Preflight planning/preparation..Poor..Pilot in command
- Lack of total experience in kind of aircraft..Pilot in command
- Lack of recent experience in type of aircraft..Pilot in command
- Lack of total experience..Copilot/second pilot
accident date: 27-06-1986
type: Martin 4-0-4
registration: N40443
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Friday 27 June 1986 |
| Time: | 05:45 MDT |
| Type: |  Martin 4-0-4 |
| Operator: | Frontier Airways |
| Registration: | N40443 |
| MSN: | 14228 |
| First flight: | 1952 |
| Engines: | 2 Pratt & Whitney R-2800-CB |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Aircraft fate: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | Buffalo Municipal Airport, WY (BYG) ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Takeoff (TOF) |
| Nature: | Agricultural |
| Departure airport: | Buffalo Municipal Airport, WY (BYG/KBYG), United States of America |
| Buffalo Municipal Airport, WY (BYG/KBYG), United States of America |
The Martin, loaded with 600gal of pesticide settled back on the runway after a long takeoff run. The aircraft struck a 12 feet high dirt mound, flipped inverted and caught fire. It was determined that the pilot held a private certificate with ASMEL ratings and his medical certificate was denied. The co-pilot held a commercial certificate with ASEL rating, but none of the pilots appeared to have any operating experience on the Martin 4-0-4. The weight of the aircraft on takeoff was calculated to be 44,492 pounds, while the maximum gross total weight for a 4500 feet runway 'dry' takeoff was approx. 37,900 pounds.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE:
- Inadequate certification/approval - Op'n/operator..Company/operator mgmt
- Aircraft performance,takeoff capability..Exceeded
- Aircraft weight and balance..Exceeded..Pilot in command
- Airspeed(Vlof)..Not attained..Pilot in command
- Proper climb rate..Not possible..Pilot in command
- Remedial action..Not possible..Pilot in command
Contributing Factors:
- Fluid,ADI fluid..Inoperative
- Preflight planning/preparation..Poor..Pilot in command
- Lack of total experience in kind of aircraft..Pilot in command
- Lack of recent experience in type of aircraft..Pilot in command
- Lack of total experience..Copilot/second pilot
Sources:
» NTSBPhotos
accident date: 27-06-1986
type: Martin 4-0-4
registration: N40443
Map
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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