Executive/Corporate/Business

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Anchorage-Ted Stevens Intl

Schedule:

Juneau - Anchorage

MSN:

25-094

YOM:

1973

Location:

Alaska

Country:

Region:

Swearingen SA26T Merlin II

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

7000

Captain / Total hours on type:

650.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

2635

Copilot / Total hours on type:

Aircraft flight hours:

1549

Circumstances:

Following an uneventful flight from Juneau, the crew completed the final approach and was attempting to land on runway 06R when the airplane rolled sharply and struck the ground. out of control, it crashed inverted in a snow covered area near the runway. Two passengers were seriously injured while five other occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the probable cause of the accident was an encounter with strong, gusting crosswinds during the landing attempt, which caused the aircraft to roll abruptly and unexpectedly. The ensuing loss of control resulted from inappropriate pilot techniques during the attempt to regain control of the aircraft. Suspected light ice accumulations on the aerodynamic surfaces may have contributed to a stall and loss of control.

Final Report:

Crash of a Swearingen SA26T Merlin IIA in Olive Branch: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 22, 1978 at 1851 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N2301N

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Jackson - Memphis

MSN:

T26-002

YOM:

1967

Location:

Olive Branch

Mississippi

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5000

Captain / Total hours on type:

100.00

Circumstances:

On approach to Memphis International Airport in marginal weather conditions, the twin engine airplane struck the ground and crashed in Olive Branch, about 8 miles southeast of the airport. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Controlled collision with ground on final approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling (300 feet),
- Visibility less than a mile,
- Weather conditions below minimums,
- Controller warned pilot of low altitude alert three times.

Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-44 Widgeon near Cordova: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 31, 1978

Type of aircraft:

Grumman G-44 Widgeon

Operator:

C. R. Morse

Registration:

N444W

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Cordova - Juneau

MSN:

1450

YOM:

1944

Location:

Cordova

Alaska

Country:

Region:

Acme Plywood & Veneer Company

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While cruising unde VFR mode in poor weather conditions, the pilot lost control of the seaplane that entered a dive and crashed in flames in an isolated area located in the region of Cordova. SAR operations were initiated but eventually suspended as no trace of the aircraft nor the three occupants was found. The wreckage was eventually localized on May 21, 1979.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled descent and ground collision after the pilot initiated flight in adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Continued VFR flight in adverse weather conditions,
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Snow,
- Icing conditions.

Final Report:

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-21 Islander near Divilacan: 8 killed

Date & Time: Oct 7, 1978

Type of aircraft:

Britten-Norman Islander

Operator:

Registration:

RP-C2152

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

MSN:

487

YOM:

1976

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While cruising in thunderstorm activity, the twin engine airplane crashed on the slope of a mountain located near the municipality of Divilacan, east part of Luzon Island. Two passengers were rescued while eight other occupants were killed.

Crash of a Piper PA-31P-425 Pressurized Navajo in Lexington: 5 killed

Date & Time: Oct 3, 1978 at 2145 LT

Type of aircraft:

Piper PA-31-310 Navajo

Operator:

Leisure Lodges

Registration:

N338J

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Lexington - Fort Smith

MSN:

31P-051

YOM:

1971

Location:

Lexington-Blue Grass

Kentucky

Country:

Region:

Grumman G-159 Gulfstream I

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

11226

Circumstances:

Following a night takeoff from Lexington-Blue Grass Airport, the twin engine airplane encountered difficulties to gain height. It struck tree tops, stalled and crashed in flames in a wooded area. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Collision with trees and subsequent crash during climb following an engine failure caused by a crankshaft failure. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Material failure,
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Rain,
- Fog,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Visibility less than a mile,
- Both propeller blade angles found at 30° settings,
- Flaps found extended.

Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-159 Gulfstream GI in Houston

Date & Time: Sep 24, 1978 at 1447 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N91G

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Ponca City - Houston

MSN:

YOM:

1960

Location:

Houston-William P. Hobby

Texas

Country:

Region:

Rockwell Shrike Commander 500

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

10284

Captain / Total hours on type:

955.00

Circumstances:

On approach to Houston-William P. Hobby Airport, a low oil pressure in the right engine gearbox forced the crew to shut down the engine and to feather its propeller. For unknown reason, the propeller was not properly feathered and the airplane was approaching too low and too fast. After touchdown, as the airplane already rolled half of the landing distance (7,600 feet), the captain decided to initiate a go-around. After liftoff, fire was observed coming out from the tail exhaust pipe while the left engine lost power. The crew attempted an emergency landing and completed a belly landing in an open field near the airport. All 20 occupants were rescued, among them a passenger was seriously injured. The aircraft was written off.

Probable cause:

Wheels-up landing following a go-around after the crew failed to follow approved procedures. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Poorly planned approach,
- Failure of both engines,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Right engine shut down in flight due to low oil pressure,
- Right propeller not fully feathered,
- Left engine not able full accelerate.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Shrike Commander 500S in Hammondsport: 3 killed

Date & Time: Sep 11, 1978 at 1925 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Mercury Aircraft

Registration:

N40MA

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Raleigh - Hammondsport

MSN:

500-3234

YOM:

1975

Location:

Hammondsport

New York

Country:

Region:

Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

6300

Circumstances:

While on approach to Hammondsport-Taylor-Van Gelder Airstrip in excellent weather conditions, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck a mountain and crashed few miles from Hammondsport. Two passengers were rescued while three other occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Stall on final approach after the pilot misjudged distance and altitude and failed to maintain flying speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Obstructions to vision,
- Sunglare,
- Haze,
- Aircraft was approaching toward rising terrain.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II in Bilbao

Date & Time: Aug 26, 1978

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Kenton Utilities & Developments

Registration:

G-BAEI

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

J. Ray McDermott & Company

MSN:

421B-0259

YOM:

1972

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

On final approach, the twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed on the Getxo golf course located approximately six km short of runway 12 threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and all four occupants were injured.

Crash of a Beechcraft A100 King Air near lagos

Date & Time: Aug 11, 1978

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft 100 King Air

Operator:

Registration:

N81MD

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors: