Two deadly Beechcraft King Air accidents at the end of June 2019 helped propel aviation safety into one of its darkest periods on record. The fact that both accidents occurred shortly after takeoff—and several recent similar events—might be cause for alarm for this popular twin turboprop.
Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters on Friday said bad weather was also responsible for the crash of a Nigerian Air Force Beachcraft 350 aircraft at the Kaduna International Airport that killed 10 people including the Army Chief, General Ibrahim Attahiru.
Since October 2014 there have been at least five King Air accidents during takeoff or initial climb.
During each of these events, including the two most recent crashes, the pilot lost control of the aircraft shortly after takeoff. In four of these events, the aircraft wreckage hit structures on or near an airport.
The crash on Friday in Kaduna occurred close to the airport after takeoff also.
On June 30, 2019, nine days after an Hawaii crash involving a Beechcraft 350 aircraft, another King Air 350 collided with a hangar and terrain after takeoff from Addison Airport in Texas. Two pilots, one an ATP and the other commercial-rated, and eight passengers died. The Part 91 cross-country flight was planned to depart Addison and fly to St. Petersburg, Florida.
According to the preliminary report, the takeoff and departure of the airplane were captured by several video cameras, radar, and observed by witnesses. One witness stated that as the aircraft went down the runway, “it seemed quieter than normal and sounded like it didn’t have sufficient power to takeoff.”
Per Second News takes a look at more crash involving the Beechcraft 350 aircraft.
A Beechcraft 350ER Super King crashed in Ji’an China killing 5 onboard on March 1, 2021.
Per Second News gathered that while completing a cloud seeding mission in the region of Ji’an, the twin engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances into three houses located in the Ji’an area. All five occupants were killed and one person on the ground was slightly injured.
On February 21, 2021 A Beechcraft 350 Super King Air crashed in Abuja, Nigeria killing 7 people.
Registration number NAF 201, according to this newspaper’s investigation after takeoff from Abuja-Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, while climbing, the crew informed ATC about an engine failure and was cleared for an immediate return. On final approach to runway 22, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in an open field, bursting into flames. The aircraft was destroyed and all 7 occupants were killed, among them two pilots, four ATOS specialists (Airborne Tactical Observation System) and one technician.
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On July 15, 2020 A Beechcraft 350i crashed in Turkey killing 7 people
The twin engine aircraft departed Van-Ferit Melen Airport at 1834LT on a survey/reconnaissance mission over the province of Hakkari and Van, carrying five passengers and two pilots. At 2232LT, the crew informed ATC about his position vertical to Başkale on approach to Van-Ferit Melen Airport. Thirteen minutes later, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Artos located 30 km southwest of runway 03 threshold. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all seven occupants were killed.
The Beechcraft Super King Air family is part of a line of twin-turboprop aircraft produced by Beechcraft. The Model 200 and Model 300 series were originally marketed as the “Super King Air” family; the “Super” designation was dropped in 1996.
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