Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680F off Great Inagua: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 7, 1978 at 1106 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Registration:
N669SA
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
680-1667-131
YOM:
1967
Location:
Great Inagua Island
Inagua
Country:
Bahamas
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
1800
Captain / Total hours on type:
17.00
Circumstances:
While approaching Great Inagua Island, the pilot declared an emergency and reported an engine fire. He elected to divert to the nearest airport but eventually ditched the aircraft into the sea. SAR operations did no find any trace of the aircraft nor both occupants.
Probable cause:
Ditching following fire in engine in flight for undetermined reasons.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 414 Chancellor in Bluefield

Date & Time: Aug 4, 1978 at 2204 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 414 Chancellor
Operator:
Registration:
N33BN
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Wise - Bluefield
MSN:
414-0079
YOM:
1970
Location:
Bluefield-Mercer County
West Virginia
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3458
Captain / Total hours on type:
97.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Bluefield-Mercer County, the pilot encountered technical problems with one engine. He decided to attempt an emergency landing when the airplane struck trees and crashed few miles from the airfield. All three occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees during a missed approach due to improper maintenance. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Lubricating system: magnetic plugs, missing
- Oil exhaustion-engine lubrication system,
- High obstructions,
- Oil sump drain plug was not found, threads on sump hole clean and undamaged.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402B in Indianapolis

Date & Time: Jul 28, 1978 at 1219 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
W. J. Medical Consulting
Registration:
N4167G
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Indianapolis - Morristown
MSN:
402B-1214
YOM:
1976
Location:
Indianapolis-Regional
Indiana
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:
5259
Captain / Total hours on type:
87.00
Circumstances:
During the takeoff run, the pilot decided to abort for unknown reason. The twin engine airplane was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran, went through a fence and came to rest. Both occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
Collision with fence posts after an aborted takeoff for unknown reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Spontaneous improper action,
- Delayed action in aborting takeoff,
- PIlot's decision to abort unknown.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600) in Jacksonville: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 19, 1978 at 0050 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600)
Operator:
Custom Air
Registration:
N868Y
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Bridgeport – Jacksonville
MSN:
60-0010
YOM:
1969
Location:
Jacksonville
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:
10457
Captain / Total hours on type:
6.00
Circumstances:
While circling in the traffic pattern to Jacksonville Airport, both engines failed. The crew attempted an emergency landing when the airplane struck trees and crashed. It was destroyed upon impact and both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
Double engine and subsequent crash due to mismanagement of fuel. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Fuel starvation,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Fuel valves in crossfeed,
- 16 gallons of fuel found in fuselage tank not available to engine in crossfeed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 60 Duke in Faribault: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jul 12, 1978 at 0758 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 60 Duke
Operator:
Southwest Aircraft Leasing
Registration:
N777HH
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Olivia - Lafayette
MSN:
P-109
YOM:
1969
Location:
Faribault
Minnesota
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
3209
Captain / Total hours on type:
338.00
Circumstances:
En route from Olivia to Lafayette, Indiana, while in normal cruise, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity and turbulences. The airplane went out of control, entered an uncontrolled descent, suffered a general disintegration and crashed in an open field. All six occupants were killed. It was determined that the pilot departed Olivia with the aircraft's weather radar inoperative.
Probable cause:
Airframe failure and subsequent uncontrolled descent after the pilot attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Exceeded designed stress limits of aircraft,
- Thunderstorm activity,
- Turbulences associated with clouds and thunderstorm,
- Separation in flight,
- Weather radar inoperative.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-A90 King Air in Aurora: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jul 10, 1978 at 1046 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 90 King Air
Operator:
Great Western Mineral Corporation
Registration:
N278DU
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
City
Schedule:
Denver - Richfield
MSN:
LJ-243
YOM:
1967
Location:
Aurora
Colorado
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
2715
Captain / Total hours on type:
810.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Denver-Stapleton Airport, while climbing, the left engine failed. The pilot lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed in flames in the Aurora district. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all six occupants were killed. There were no injuries on the ground.
Probable cause:
Stall during initial climb due to engine failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failure of the fuel pump system,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Improperly loaded aircraft,
- Left engine boost pump inoperative, switched off,
- Crossfeed off,
- Approximately 700 lbs over max gross weight.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft G18S in McAllen

Date & Time: Jul 5, 1978 at 0500 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft G18S
Operator:
PCD Corporation
Registration:
N807P
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
McAllen - Tampico
MSN:
BA-557
YOM:
1960
Location:
McAllen
Texas
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:
16660
Captain / Total hours on type:
2060.00
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at McAllen-Miller Airport, one of the engine failed. The pilot abandoned the takeoff procedure and initiated an emergency braking maneuver. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran, struck a drainage ditch and came to rest. Both occupants were slightly injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the engine failure could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-80 Queen Air in Mobile: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 27, 1978 at 1640 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 80 Queen Air
Operator:
Solaqueen
Registration:
N975SQ
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Houston - Mobile
MSN:
LD-78
YOM:
1963
Location:
Mobile-Bates Field
Alabama
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:
3572
Captain / Total hours on type:
2150.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Mobile-Bates Field, the pilot was advised by tower that the landing gear were up. The pilot initiated a go-around and made a steep slow climb during which he lowered the gear. The aircraft stalled and crashed in flames. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Stall during a go-around after the pilot failed to maintain flying speed. the following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Failed to extend landing gear,
- Delayed in initiating go-around,
- Powerplant-instruments: fuel pressure gauge leak,
- Fumes in cabin.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft A100 King Air in Muscle Shoals

Date & Time: Jun 22, 1978 at 0712 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 100 King Air
Operator:
Registration:
N941K
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Chattanooga - Muscle Shoals
MSN:
B-111
YOM:
1972
Location:
Muscle Shoals
Alabama
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
20834
Captain / Total hours on type:
24.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Muscle Shoals Airport, the airplane lost speed, stalled and crashed short of runway. All six occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Stall on final approach after the pilot-in-command failed to maintain flying speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper operation of powerplant and powerplant controls,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Fog,
- Poor crew coordination,
- Visibility one mile or less,
- The pilot-in-command reduced props instead of throttles.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-A80 Queen Air in Mexico City: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jun 16, 1978 at 1630 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 80 Queen Air
Operator:
Registration:
XB-ABG
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
City
Schedule:
Tampico – Mexico City – Martinez de la Torre
Location:
Mexico City-Benito Juarez
Federal District of Mexico City
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was performing an executive flight from Tampico to Martinez de la Torre, Veracruz, with an intermediate stop in Mexico City. On final approach, one of the engine apparently failed. The airplane lost height, struck antennas and the roofs of several houses before crashing in flames in the district of Jardín Balbuena, about 3 km short of runway 05. One of the occupant survived while five others were killed.
Crew:
Jorge Azcárraga, pilot,
Mario Vértiz, copilot.
Passengers:
Mario Bairón,
J. Haele,
Enrique Silva,
Javier Ortiz.
Probable cause:
Engine failure for undetermined reasons.
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