November 19, 1996
Quincy, Illinois
United Express, Flight 5925
Beechcraft 1900-C
N87GL
While landing on Runway 13 at Baldwin Field, the United Express collided with
the King Air which was taking off on Runway 4. The collision took place where
the two runways intersect. Both planes caught fire and rescuers were unable to
open the door to the Beech 1900-C because of impact damage. All twelve aboard
the United Express and the two pilots aboard the King Air were killed. King Air
pilots' failure to use proper communications and "see-and-avoid" procedures at
an uncontrolled airport. Involvement of a third aircraft that transmitted
unnecessary and inappropriate messages.
4:52:07 CAPT sent a radio transmission on the common traffic advisory
frequency, stating the plane was about 30 miles north of the airport and would
be landing on runway 13. She asked for any other traffic in the area to
acknowledge their presence.
4:52:19 F/O: "OK, cruise if you want. "
4:54:56 CAPT: "Look at that sunset man, that's gorgeous."
4:55:19 KING AIR: "Quincy traffic, King Air ... taxiing out uh, takeoff
on runway four, Quincy."
4:55:26 F/O: "Sounds like a little kid."
4:55:40 CHEROKEE sent a radio transmission to say his plane was taxiing
to runway four.
4:55:48 CAPT: "They're both using four"
4:56:13 F/O said the airfield was in sight
4:56:16 "Okeydoky." She then asked the F/O if they were still planning on
using runway 13.
4:56:46 "Yeah, unless it doesn't look good then we'll just do a downwind
for four. But, uh, right now plan one-three."
4:56:56 CAPT sent a radio transmission, saying the plane was 10 miles
north of the airport. Again, she requested that any other traffic in the area
advise them of their presence.
4:57:20 to 4:58:32 Standard checklist for landing performed
4:59:03 KING AIR: "Quincy traffic, King Air 1127D holding short of runway
four ... [will] be takin' the runway for departure and heading uh, southeast
Quincy."
4:59:13 CAPT: "Does sound little doesn't she?"
4:59:18 CAPT: "She's takin' runway four right now?"
F/O: "Yeah."
4:59:29 CAPT announced that her plane was about to turn a five-mile final
for runway 13 and asked if the King Air was going to hold on the runway or
depart.
5:00:16 CAPT "Quincy traffic, Lakes Air 251's on short final for Runway
13, the aircraft gonna hold in position on Runway 4 or yoy guys gonna take-off?"
5:00:28 CHEROKEE said he was holding on runway four.
[part of the transmission was interrupted by the GPWS 200ft altitude alert in
the United Express plane. The cockpit voice recorder caught the last part of the
transmission with words that included "King Air."]
5:00:35 CAPT: "OK, we'll, we'll get through your intersection in just a
second sir . . . we appreciate that. "
5:00:42 CAPT confirmed that the landing gear was down and 'finals are
complete"
5:00:48 CAPT: "We kinda .... "
F/O: "Kinda what?"
CAPT: "We kinda fudged, in there a little. "
5:00:59 Touchdown
5:01:01 CAPT: "Max reverse."
CAPT: "Oh (expletive). "
5:01:03 F/O: "What, oooh (expletive)."
5:01:07 F/O: "Oh (expletive) me."