Crash of a Beechcraft C-45H Expeditor in the Pacific Ocean: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 4, 1979 at 1529 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
Operator:
Polynesian Air-Ways
Registration:
N145DC
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Delivery
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
San Jose - Honolulu
MSN:
AF-564
YOM:
1953
Location:
Pacific Ocean
All World
Country:
World
Region:
World
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
En route from San Jose to Honolulu on a delivery flight, the pilot informed ATC about an engine failure and elected to ditch the airplane about 1,500 km northwest of Honolulu. The aircraft came to rest in water and the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45H Expeditor in Hastings: 4 killed

Date & Time: Sep 15, 1979 at 0204 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
Operator:
Northern Air Service - USA
Registration:
N600NA
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Baltimore - Grand Rapids
MSN:
AF-726
YOM:
1954
Location:
Hastings
Michigan
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
4902
Captain / Total hours on type:
430.00
Circumstances:
While approaching Grand Rapids-Gerald R. Ford Airport on a ferry flight from Baltimore, the twin engine airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in an open field located in Hastings, about 18,5 miles southeast of the destination airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed, debris scattered on a wide area and all four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
In-flight fire or explosion on approach and subsequent uncontrolled descent after the air condition, heating and pressurization system failed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Material failure,
- Fire in brakes, wheel assembly and wheel well,
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection,
- Smoke in cockpit,
- Pilot fatigue,
- No log book entries for heater, Southwind model 853A, operation or required inspections/overhauls.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45H Expeditor in Slatington

Date & Time: Jun 29, 1979 at 0613 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
Operator:
Shane Aviation
Registration:
N281M
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Charleston - Allentown
MSN:
AF-644
YOM:
1954
Location:
Slatington
Pennsylvania
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
6042
Captain / Total hours on type:
2000.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Allentown-Bethlehem Easton Airport, the crew encountered limited visibility due to foggy conditions and low ceiling. The twin engine aircraft descended below the glide, struck trees and crashed in a wooded area located in Slatington, about 10,5 miles short of runway 13 threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees during initial approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Visibility two miles or less.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45G Expeditor in Bordelonville: 5 killed

Date & Time: Dec 19, 1978 at 1045 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
Operator:
David Brumfield
Registration:
N37JR
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Bordelonville - Bordelonville
MSN:
AF-13
YOM:
1952
Location:
Bordelonville-Brumfield
Louisiana
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
10000
Captain / Total hours on type:
400.00
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed a soft runway at Bordelonville-Brumfield Airstrip. After liftoff, it encountered difficulties to gain height, struck trees and crashed on a farm building. A passenger was seriously injured while five other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees during initial climb after the pilot misjudged distance, speed and altitude. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Airport conditions: soft runway,
- High obstructions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45G Expeditor into Lake Elsinore: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 11, 1978 at 1505 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
Operator:
Registration:
N63H
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Lake Elsinore - Chino
MSN:
AF-344
YOM:
1953
Location:
Lake Elsinore-Skylark Field
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
1800
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Lake Elsinore-Skylark Field, while climbing, the airplane suffered an engine failure. It lost height and crashed into Lake Elsinore, few hundred yards offshore. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Stall and crash during initial climb following an engine failure for undetermined reasons and because the pilot failed to follow approved procedures.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft VC-45J Expeditor near Jamestown: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 2, 1978 at 2350 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
Operator:
Sizer Airways
Registration:
N94460
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Jamestown - Fargo
MSN:
5867
YOM:
1943
Location:
Jamestown
North Dakota
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
2510
Captain / Total hours on type:
1222.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after a night takeoff from Jamestown Airport, the twin engine airplane encountered difficulties to gain height when it struck power cables and crashed in a field located in Spiritwood, about eight miles from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Collision with power lines for undetermined reasons.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45G Expeditor off Honolulu

Date & Time: Dec 17, 1977 at 1558 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
Operator:
Statewide Air
Registration:
N2874G
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Honolulu - Kahului
MSN:
AF-168
YOM:
1952
Location:
Honolulu
Hawaii
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1984
Captain / Total hours on type:
251.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Honolulu Airport, while in initial climb, the airplane lost height and crashed into the sea few hundred yards offshore. The pilot was rescued while the aircraft was lost.
Probable cause:
Engine malfunction during climb due to material failure. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Powerplant - propeller and accessories: governors,
- engine structure: other,
- Unfavorable wind conditions,
- Aircraft came to rest in water,
- Left propeller governor drive gears failed,
- Right engine operated at full power failed over water short of airport, landed on reef.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45H Expeditor in Snow Lake: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 25, 1977
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
Operator:
Marvin Chrapun
Registration:
C-FPCK
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
AF-479
YOM:
1953
Location:
Snow Lake
Manitoba
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Upon landing at Snow Lake Airstrip, the twin engine airplane went out of control and came to rest upside down. The pilot, sole on board, was killed, and the airplane was destroyed by a post crash fire.

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45H Expeditor in Detroit: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 31, 1977 at 0403 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
Operator:
Johnston Airways
Registration:
N125TF
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Cleveland - Detroit
MSN:
AF-351
YOM:
1953
Location:
Detroit-Willow Run (Ypsilanti)
Michigan
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
6331
Captain / Total hours on type:
851.00
Circumstances:
On final approach by night to Detroit-Willow Run (Ypsilanti) Airport, the pilot encountered foggy conditions. He failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck the ground and crashed few miles short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain on final approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fog,
- Visibility half a mile or less,
- Weather conditions below minimums.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45G Expeditor in Kasilof

Date & Time: Aug 5, 1977 at 2200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
Operator:
Jon W. Myers
Registration:
N2853G
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Tyonek - Kasilof
MSN:
AF-188
YOM:
1952
Location:
Kasilof
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2907
Captain / Total hours on type:
250.00
Circumstances:
During an adverse bounced landing at Kasilof Airstrip, the cargo shifted and the airplane went out of control. It crashed and came to rest in flames. Both occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled collision with ground after the 2,000 pounds cargo shifted upon landing. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Cargo not tied down.
Final Report:
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