Zone
Michigan

Crash of a Swearingen SA226AT Merlin IV/Ain North Carolina: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 14, 1975 at 2205 LT
Type of aircraft:
Swearingen SA226AT Merlin IV
Operator:
Registration:
N960M
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Flushing - Southern Pines
MSN:
AT-005
YOM:
1972
Location:
Southern Pines-Moore County
North Carolina
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
18000
Captain / Total hours on type:
493.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Southern Pines-Moore County Airport, the captain informed ground he would complete a visual approach to runway 05. On short final, the airplane struck tree tops and crashed half a mile short of runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and both crew members were killed. At the time of the accident, the visibility was limited due to the night, low ceiling, raing and localised patches of fog.
Probable cause:
The accident occurred after the pilot-in-command suffered a spatial disorientation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Fog.
Final Report:

Crash of a Hawker-Siddeley HS.125-3A in Findlay

Date & Time: Dec 12, 1972 at 1938 LT
Type of aircraft:
BAe 125
Operator:
Registration:
N521M
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Flushing - Findlay
MSN:
25129
YOM:
1967
Location:
Findlay
Ohio
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
10966
Captain / Total hours on type:
2117.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Findlay Airport by night, the crew encountered below minima weather conditions with fog and low ceiling. Unable to locate the runway, the captain decided to abandon the approach and initiated a go-around. Few minutes later, a second attempt to land was also abandoned. During a third attempt, the pilot-in-command descended below the minimum descent altitude when the aircraft struck tree tops, stalled and crashed in a wooded area located few dozen yards short of runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and all seven occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
Improper in-flight decisions and improper IFR operation on part of the crew. The following factors were reported:
- Poor crew coordination,
- Low ceiling and fog,
- Weather conditions below minimums,
- Missed two straight-in VOR approaches,
- Attempted VOR circling approach in below minimum conditions,
- Descended below MDA.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing B-29A-70-BN Superfortress in Flushing: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 22, 1951
Type of aircraft:
Boeing B-29 Superfortress
Operator:
Registration:
44-62215
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Minneapolis - Griffiss
MSN:
11692
YOM:
1944
Location:
Flushing
Michigan
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a training mission from Minneapolis to Griffiss AFB when an engine failed in flight. All eight occupants decided to bail out and abandoned the aircraft that dove into the ground and crashed in a field located one mile southeast of Flushing, Michigan. Seven crew members were evacuated while the eight occupant died as his parachute failed to open.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.
Subscribe to Flushing