King Air 350 down in Addison, TX
07-03-2019 | 10:43 AM
#11
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10k lb plane, plus 10 people, their luggage, and enough fuel for a 1000 mile trip plus reserves? They were likely very close to the MTOW of 15k lbs.
The 350 is a workhorse, but it can certainly be overloaded or loaded out of CG. Likely an engine failure and or auto feather issue combine with a plane near its MTOW.
The 350 is a workhorse, but it can certainly be overloaded or loaded out of CG. Likely an engine failure and or auto feather issue combine with a plane near its MTOW.
07-03-2019 | 11:26 AM
#12
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From: Freight Dawg
This kind of crash in a twin turboprop usually involves on or more of these factors...
Engine fail/prop did not feather.
Prop governor fail.
Pilot didn't react properly to engine or prop problem.
Improper W&B combined with engine or prop failure.
Not familiar with the KA, but some prop failures can be hard or even impossible to control. W&B can do the same.
When I flew turboprops, I was always nervous about the props. I was always meticulous about the W&B.
Unless the pilot was inept, I would suspect some sort of prop failure, possibly autofeather, or W&B issue.
Engine fail/prop did not feather.
Prop governor fail.
Pilot didn't react properly to engine or prop problem.
Improper W&B combined with engine or prop failure.
Not familiar with the KA, but some prop failures can be hard or even impossible to control. W&B can do the same.
When I flew turboprops, I was always nervous about the props. I was always meticulous about the W&B.
Unless the pilot was inept, I would suspect some sort of prop failure, possibly autofeather, or W&B issue.
07-03-2019 | 02:48 PM
#13
In a land of unicorns
Joined: Apr 2014
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From: Whale FO
10k lb plane, plus 10 people, their luggage, and enough fuel for a 1000 mile trip plus reserves? They were likely very close to the MTOW of 15k lbs.
The 350 is a workhorse, but it can certainly be overloaded or loaded out of CG. Likely an engine failure and or auto feather issue combine with a plane near its MTOW.
The 350 is a workhorse, but it can certainly be overloaded or loaded out of CG. Likely an engine failure and or auto feather issue combine with a plane near its MTOW.
They weren't big people, and 2 children. I really don't see W&B being an issue.
07-03-2019 | 04:02 PM
#14
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Assuming and average weight of 180lbs over 10 people and 50 lbs of baggage per (one carry on and one checked) and you’re quickly in the 2300 lbs of payload plus probably another 2200lbs of fuel or so. That puts you within 500lbs of MTOW right there.
W/B issues are well within the realm of possibility.
07-03-2019 | 07:04 PM
#16
Prime Minister/Moderator
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From: Engines Turn or People Swim
A 2017 King Air 350i has an auto feather switch that per the checklist is turned on before takeoff and left on until cruise. If the switch is on the prop will feather faster than a pilot could manually feather after recognizing the engine failure. I don’t know if the NTSB will be able to tell if the switch was in the off position or if it was on and something failed in the system.
The switch position can likely be determined by inspection. That kind of switch will have an over-center detent so the crash probably wouldn't change it's position.
But both auto and manual Fx with the condition lever can fail, and it's not that uncommon at least on certain types.
07-03-2019 | 07:07 PM
#17
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Their filed route was 962 miles. I didn’t pull that 1000 number out of my rear. And the size of the people is only part of the equation. Their luggage counts too, and some people pack the kitchen sink.
Assuming and average weight of 180lbs over 10 people and 50 lbs of baggage per (one carry on and one checked) and you’re quickly in the 2300 lbs of payload plus probably another 2200lbs of fuel or so. That puts you within 500lbs of MTOW right there.
W/B issues are well within the realm of possibility.
Assuming and average weight of 180lbs over 10 people and 50 lbs of baggage per (one carry on and one checked) and you’re quickly in the 2300 lbs of payload plus probably another 2200lbs of fuel or so. That puts you within 500lbs of MTOW right there.
W/B issues are well within the realm of possibility.
When the same airframe (-ER) can carry another 240 gal of fuel and gets a 500 lb bump in MZFW, I don’t thing W/B will factor in.
07-03-2019 | 07:35 PM
#18
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Per Beechcraft’s specs sheet the 350i has a MTOW of 15,000. My scenario has it easily at 14,500. I flew 91k for 11 years and saw people pack a lot more than 50lbs per person which is what I used as a guesstimate here. W/B is most certainly something to be considered, and I bet it’s still in the running with the investigators.
07-03-2019 | 07:36 PM
#19
Gets Weekends Off
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Autofeather isn’t a lever lock switch on King Airs. Simple toggle switch that might not retain its position in a crash. However, it’s should be on before takeoff and armed on the roll. I think it’s a very low failure rate for the system too.
07-03-2019 | 07:37 PM
#20
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