Executive/Corporate/Business

Flight Type:

Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Lagos - Abidjan

MSN:

1028

YOM:

1967

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The aircraft was performing an executive flight from Lagos to Abidjan. While completing a last turn to the right to join the glide for runway 03, the airplane lost height then crashed into the sea, about 500 meters offshore. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed. No flight plan was filed and it was reported that the aircraft did not have all required certificates while flying for the first time since its delivery two years ago.

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II in Nashville

Date & Time: Jul 8, 1977 at 0802 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

J. D. Mullican Construction Company

Registration:

N1504G

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

McMinnville - Nashville

MSN:

421B-0601

YOM:

1974

Location:

Nashville

Tennessee

Country:

Region:

Rockwell Grand Commander 680

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5571

Circumstances:

On approach to Nashville Airport, the pilot reported smoke in the cockpit and attempted an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed few miles from the airport and was destroyed b a post impact fire. The pilot, sole on board, was seriously injured.

Probable cause:

Fire in cabin for undetermined reasons. The following findings were reported:
- Fire in cabin, cockpit, baggage compartment,
- Fire in engine,
- Smoke in cockpit,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Suspected or known aircraft damage.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680FP in Bergerac

Date & Time: May 27, 1977

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Société Aviaffaires & Cook International

Registration:

F-BNPE

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

680-1385-145

YOM:

1964

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances near Bergerac Airport. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Learjet 25B in Detroit

Date & Time: May 26, 1977 at 0940 LT

Type of aircraft:

Learjet 25

Operator:

Registration:

N501PS

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Detroit-Metropolitan-Wayne County

Schedule:

Detroit - Detroit

MSN:

25-153

YOM:

1974

Location:

Michigan

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

9291

Captain / Total hours on type:

218.00

Circumstances:

The crew departed Detroit-Ypsilanti Airport on a positioning (exec) flight to Detroit-Wayne County Airport. After touchdown on runway 33, the airplane encountered difficulties to decelerate. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, it overran, struck a fence and came to rest in flames against a concrete pole located 950 feet further. Both pilots were injured and the airplane was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot-in-command caused the airplane to ran off the end of the runway. The thrust reversers were found in stowed position.

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Taplin: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 6, 1977 at 0615 LT

Type of aircraft:

Piper PA-31-310 Navajo

Operator:

Cherokee Enterprise

Registration:

N7439L

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Taplin - Ambler

MSN:

31-328

YOM:

1968

Location:

Taplin

West Virginia

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

18000

Captain / Total hours on type:

1000.00

Circumstances:

The takeoff was initiated in adverse weather conditions with fog. After takeoff, the twin engine airplane descended and crashed half a mile east of the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain during climb after the pilot initiated flight in adverse weather conditions. The exact cause of the accident could not be determined. The following findings were reported:
- Fog,
- Visibility 1/4 mile or less.

Final Report:

Crash of a Hawker-Siddeley HS.125-600A in McLean: 4 killed

Date & Time: Apr 28, 1977 at 2038 LT

Type of aircraft:

BAe 125

Operator:

Southern Services

Registration:

N40PC

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

City

Schedule:

Washington DC - Birmingham

MSN:

256010

YOM:

1973

Location:

McLean

Virginia

Country:

Region:

Rockwell Grand Commander 690

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

7807

Captain / Total hours on type:

1900.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

4049

Copilot / Total hours on type:

114

Aircraft flight hours:

1904

Circumstances:

The airplane departed Washington-National Airport bound for Birmingham, Alabama. Four minutes later, while climbing to an altitude of 9,300 feet, monitoring radar stations lost continuous reception of the aircraft's primary and secondary radar target information. Shortly thereafter, ground witnesses saw an explosion in the sky followed by the wreckage of the aircraft falling to the ground. the sky was overcast and light rain was falling. The four persons aboard were killed and the aircraft was destroyed. One residence and two automobiles were destroyed by impact and fire and several other homes were damaged by falling debris.

Probable cause:

A failure or malfunction of an undetermined nature in the pilot's attitude indicating system which led to a loss of control and overstress of the aircraft structure.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 690 off Chicago: 4 killed

Date & Time: Apr 23, 1977 at 1550 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

J. D. Barter Construction Company

Registration:

N847

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Chicago - Harrisburg

MSN:

690-11140

YOM:

1973

Location:

Chicago-Merrill C. Meigs

Illinois

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

6707

Captain / Total hours on type:

1200.00

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Chicago-Merrill C. Meigs Airport, while climbing, the airplane collided with a flock of seagulls. An engine lost power and the airplane lost speed and height. The pilot elected to return when the airplane stalled and crashed into Lake Michigan. The aircraft was destroyed and all four occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Stall and spin after the airplane collided with a flock of seagulls. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Exercised poor judgment,
- Bird ingestion,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Airport supervisory personnel,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Pilot advised of seagulls on runway,
- Ineffective bird removal technique,
- Failed to retract flaps.

Final Report:

Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2-25 Marquise in Detroit

Date & Time: Apr 4, 1977 at 2004 LT

Type of aircraft:

Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquise

Operator:

Registration:

N321MA

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Detroit-Willow Run (Ypsilanti)

Schedule:

Boston - Detroit

MSN:

276

YOM:

1973

Location:

Michigan

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2993

Captain / Total hours on type:

144.00

Circumstances:

On final approach to Detroit-Willow Run Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and decided to make a go-around for unknown reasons. Shortly later, the twin engine crashed near the airport. Both occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Collision with ground during a missed approach due to improper maintenance. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Flight control systems: elevator tab control system, frayed and binding,
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Maintenance conducted on elevator trim tab bracket a day prior to the accident.

Final Report:

Crash of a Dassault Falcon 10 in Denver: 4 killed

Date & Time: Apr 3, 1977 at 0452 LT

Type of aircraft:

Dassault Falcon 10

Operator:

Mountain Bell

Registration:

N60MB

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Denver - Cheyenne

MSN:

YOM:

1974

Location:

Denver

Colorado

Country:

Region: