Zone
Florida

Crash of a Douglas DC-9-31 in Fort Lauderdale

Date & Time: May 18, 1972 at 1521 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-9
Operator:
Registration:
N8961E
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Miami – Fort Lauderdale – Cleveland
MSN:
45870/332
YOM:
1968
Flight number:
EA346
Location:
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
16500
Captain / Total hours on type:
960.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
3000
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1500
Aircraft flight hours:
10928
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing flight EA346 from Miami to Cleveland with an intermediate stop in Fort Lauderdale. On approach to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity and limited visibility due to rain showers. Following a wrong approach configuration, the aircraft landed hard on runway 09L with a rate of descent of 2,000 feet per minute. On impact, the undercarriage and the tail were torn off and the airplane slid on the wet runway before coming to rest in flames. Three occupants were injured while seven others escaped unhurt. The aircraft was destroyed by a ground fire.
Probable cause:
The decision of the pilot to initiate and continue an instrument approach under weather conditions which precluded adequate visual reference and the faulty techniques used by the pilot during the landing phase of that approach. The Safety Board also finds that the flight crew's non-adherence to prescribed operational practices and procedures compromised the safe operation of the flight.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed 18-56 LodeStar in Okeechobee: 8 killed

Date & Time: May 12, 1972 at 1112 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 18 LodeStar
Operator:
Carolina Aircraft Corporation
Registration:
N211L
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Fort Lauderdale - Raleigh
MSN:
2626
YOM:
1943
Location:
Okeechobee
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Captain / Total flying hours:
2300
Circumstances:
En route from Fort Lauderdale to Raleigh, North Carolina, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity. Control was lost and the airplane entered a dive during which both wings separated as well as the stabs and tail. The airplane crashed near Okeechobee and disintegrated on impact. All eight occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The crew continued under VFR mode in adverse weather conditions. The following factors were reported:
- Exceeded designed stress limits of aircraft,
- Overload failure,
- Thunderstorm activity,
- Turbulences associated with clouds and thunderstorms,
- Separation in flight,
- Flight and navigation instruments failure (corroded),
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection,
- Gyro instrument had rust and corrosion,
- Both wings, horizontal stabs and vertical stab separated.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45G Expeditor in Fort Lauderdale

Date & Time: Jun 25, 1971 at 1820 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
Operator:
West End International
Registration:
N355D
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Fort Lauderdale – West End
MSN:
AF-233
YOM:
1952
Location:
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood
Florida
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:
1657
Captain / Total hours on type:
1454.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport, while in initial climb, one of the engine failed. The airplane lost height, struck trees and power cables then crashed in flames. The pilot was injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure during initial climb for undetermined reasons. Engine lost power at a critical altitude.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 401A in Fort Lauderdale: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 29, 1970 at 1531 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 401
Operator:
Registration:
N6235Q
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Augusta – Fort Lauderdale
MSN:
401A-0035
YOM:
1969
Location:
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood
Florida
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:
2575
Captain / Total hours on type:
418.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport, the pilot was too close to a preceding Boeing 727 and was cautioned by ATC about wake turbulences. Shortly later, the twin engine aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed few miles short of runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and all four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control on final approach because the pilot failed to follow the approved procedures. The airplane encountered turbulences approximately 95 seconds behind and below a landing Boeing 727 flight path. The pilot was cautioned by tower about wake turbulences.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45G Expeditor off Fort Lauderdale

Date & Time: Jul 9, 1968 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
Operator:
Air Vac
Registration:
N199E
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
AF-175
YOM:
1952
Location:
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood
Florida
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:
2648
Captain / Total hours on type:
94.00
Circumstances:
While cruising along the east coast of Florida, the pilot encountered serious vibrations on one engine and was forced to shut it down and to feather its propeller. He decided to divert to the nearest airport but unable to do so, he eventually ditched the aircraft offshore. Both occupants were rescued while the aircraft sank and was lost.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reason.
Final Report:

Crash of a Chase C-122C Avitruc off Bimini: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jan 11, 1967 at 0937 LT
Type of aircraft:
Chase YC-122 Avitruc
Operator:
Bush Aviation
Registration:
N122E
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Fort Lauderdale - Bimini
MSN:
CY-879
YOM:
1954
Location:
Bimini
Bimini
Country:
Bahamas
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
4042
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a flight from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini, carrying various equipment for a movie. While approaching Bimini Island, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later asa no trace of the aircraft nor the four crew members was found. Some debris were eventually spotted few days later floating on water northwest of Bimini Island.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidence, the cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft SNB-5 Navigator in Fort Lauderdale: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 20, 1964 at 1350 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft SNB-2 Navigator
Operator:
Ohio Valley Aviation
Registration:
N90280
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
6539
YOM:
1944
Location:
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood
Florida
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:
1071
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Fort Lauderdale-Bradley Airport, while climbing,both engines stopped. The airplane stalled, dove into the ground and crashed in a huge explosion. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of both engines after takeoff due to a fuel starvation, a mismanagement of fuel and an inadequate inspection of the aircraft prior to takeoff on part of the pilot. It was determined that the fuel selector valve decal was missing and the pilot made erroneous determination of the valve position.
Final Report:

Crash of an Aero Commander 520 in Fort Lauderdale

Date & Time: Apr 26, 1964 at 0450 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 520
Operator:
Registration:
N9094R
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Location:
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood
Florida
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:
14000
Captain / Total hours on type:
450.00
Circumstances:
While on a night approach to Fort Lauderdale-Bradley Airport, one of the engine failed. The pilot attempted a go around when the aircraft stalled and crashed short of runway. The pilot was injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Improper operation of powerplant & powerplant controls on part of the pilot. Engine loaded up and partial loss of power on one engine was a contributing factor.
Final Report:
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