Swearingen SA226T Merlin III crash, Apr 1, 1993 (4 killed)
Swearingen SA226T Merlin III accident on April 1, 1993 near Bristol-Tri-Cities, Tennessee, United States with 4 fatalities. Cause: The pilot did not...
- Date: April 1, 1993
- Aircraft: Swearingen SA226T Merlin III
- Location: Bristol-Tri-Cities, Tennessee, United States
- Fatalities: 4
- Phase of flight: Approach and landing
- Cause: The pilot did not follow the engine inlet anti-ice and continuous ignition procedures in icing conditions, leading to engine power loss, then failed to maintain airspeed, resulting in a stall.
A Swearingen Merlin III operated by Eastern Foods, carrying NASCAR driver Alan Kulwicki, crashed at night on approach to Tri-Cities Airport in Bristol, Tennessee. Ice in the engine inlets led to a loss of engine power, and the aircraft stalled on its descent. All four occupants were killed. The NTSB cited the pilot's failure to follow anti-ice and continuous ignition procedures and his failure to keep sufficient airspeed.