Executive/Corporate/Business

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Palm Springs - Las Vegas

MSN:

24-192

YOM:

1969

Location:

Palm Springs

California

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:

4150

Captain / Total hours on type:

532.00

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Palm Springs Airport, while climbing by night at an altitude of 9,700 feet, the airplane struck a mountain located in the San Gorgonio Wilderness of the San Bernardino Mountains, about 22 miles northwest of Palm Springs. Due to very poor weather conditions, rescuers were able to reach the crash site three days later only. The aircraft struck the ground at a speed of 325 knots and disintegrated on impact. All four occupants were killed.
Crew:
Donald J. Weier,
Jerald Wayne Foley.
Passengers:
Dolly Sinatra, Frank Sinatra's mother,
Ann Carbone.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain during climb to cruise after the crew misunderstood ATC instructions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Lack of visibility,
- High obstructions,
- Crew misinterpreted IFR clearance and ATC instructions,
- ATC failed to detect deviation from route.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II in Zurich

Date & Time: Dec 21, 1976 at 2031 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Business Flyers

Registration:

HB-LGM

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II

Schedule:

Ajaccio - Zurich

MSN:

421B-0226

YOM:

1972

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

584

Captain / Total hours on type:

9.00

Aircraft flight hours:

1753

Circumstances:

Following an uneventful flight from Ajaccio-Campo dell'Oro Airport, the pilot started the approach to runway 14 at Zurich-Kloten in poor weather conditions. By night and limited visibility, at an excessive speed of 180 knots, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was too low when the twin engine airplane struck the ground and crashed 1,700 metres short of runway 14. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were injured. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were as follow: wind calm, horizontal visibility over 100 metres, RVR of 400 metres for runway 14, freezing fog and vertical visibility less than 100 feet.

Probable cause:

The accident was the consequence of a controlled flight with ground during a night approach under CAT I conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot's experience on this type of aircraft was insufficient,
- The pilot failed to monitor his instruments,
- The aircraft was unstable on final approach,
- The airplane struck the ground without any corrective manoeuvre on part of the pilot who failed to initiate a go-around procedure,
- Poor weather conditions,
- Visibility below minimums,
- A CAT I approach to runway 14 was thoughtless,
- Excessive approach speed, 180 knots instead of the recommended 105-115 knots.

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II in Winchester: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 11, 1976 at 1820 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Overmyer Corporation

Registration:

N570C

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Winchester-Randolph County

Schedule:

Muncie - Winchester

MSN:

421B-0426

YOM:

1973

Location:

Indiana

Country:

Region:

Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5258

Captain / Total hours on type:

1370.00

Circumstances:

The pilot obtained a special VFR clearance to fly from Muncie to Winchester. While descending to Winchester-Randolph County Airport, he encountered poor weather conditions and was forced to make a go-around as he was unable to locate the runway. After 3 or 4 go-around manoeuvres, the twin engine airplane crashed in foggy conditions near the airport and was destroyed upon impact. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain during traffic pattern-circling following improper in-flight decisions and planning. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Misjudged altitude,
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Weather considerably worse than forecast,
- Ceiling at 200 feet,
- IFR weather conditions,
- Witnesses estimated 3 or 4 approaches to airport.

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain off Grand View-On-Hudson: 3 killed

Date & Time: Dec 4, 1976 at 1205 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N59825

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Philadelphia - White Plains

MSN:

31-7652076

YOM:

1976

Location:

Grand View-On-Hudson

New York

Country:

Region:

Convair CV-440 Metropolitan

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3000

Circumstances:

En route from Philadelphia to White Plains with three people on board, the twin engine airplane collided with a Cessna 172 operated by Teterboro Flight Service, registered N75604 and carrying two people. Following the collision, both aircraft went out of control and crashed into the Hudson River near the Tappan Zee Bridge. Both aircraft were destroyed and all five occupants have been killed.

Probable cause:

In-flight collision after the pilot failed to see and avoid other aircraft. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Not under radar contact,
- No control zone,
- Fresh scuff marks on leading edge of deicing boot of vertical stabilizer.

Final Report:

Crash of a Convair CV-440-88 Metropolitan in Cairo

Date & Time: Nov 30, 1976

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

OMCO Petroleum Company

Registration:

N985

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

MSN:

448

YOM:

1957

Location:

Cairo

Country:

Egypt

Region:

Africa

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

During the takeoff roll at Cairo Airport, one of the engine caught fire. The captain decided to abandon the takeoff procedure and initiated an emergency braking manoeuvre. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran and came to rest in flames few dozen metres further. All occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Engine fire on takeoff for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Beechcraft E90 King Air in Tok: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 29, 1976 at 1855 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft 90 King Air

Operator:

Registration:

N6843S

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Tok - Anchorage

MSN:

LW-137

YOM:

1975

Location:

Tok

Alaska

Country:

Region:

Landing (descent or approach)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

6291

Captain / Total hours on type:

311.00

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Tok Airport in poor weather conditions, the pilot lost control of the airplane that descended to the ground and crashed near the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled descent during initial climb after the pilot suffered a spatial disorientation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Turbulences associated with clouds and thunderstorms,
- Rain,
- Fog,
- Ceiling at 400 feet,
- Wind gusting to 40 knots.

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in walney Island: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 26, 1976 at 2005 LT

Type of aircraft:

Piper PA-31-310 Navajo

Operator:

Registration:

G-BBPC

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Edinburgh - Walney Island

MSN:

31-805

YOM:

1973

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

10000

Aircraft flight hours:

1647

Circumstances:

The aircraft was operating a company communications flight from Edinburgh to Walney Island (Barrow-in-Furness) and departed from Edinburgh at 1908 hrs with five passengers on board, one of whom occupied the right hand pilot's seat. The flight proceeded normally on airways at FL080 until leaving controlled airspace south of Dean Cross at 1940 hrs, when the pilot contacted Walney Island aerodrome and requested the latest weather and landing information. The tower reported that there was heavy rain and a strong wind from 300° at 25 to 30 knots, and the pilot was advised that the runway in use was 30 and the QFE 1001. It was dark night with an estimated visibility of 8 km. The aircraft was next in contact with Walney Island at 1952 hrs when the pilot queried the serviceability of the non-directional beacon (NDB) 'WL'. The tower replied that it was operating. The passenger in the right hand seat states that at about this time the lights of Barrow-in-Furness could be seen intermittently through the clouds, but that the pilot was unable to see the runway lights. The pilot then requested the other runway lights to be put on, and the tower confirmed that all the lights were on. A short time later, the pilot called to say that he was on a left hand base leg for runway 30 and he received clearance to land. The wind was reported to the aircraft at that stage as 300°, 25-30 knots and the weather as continuous rain. The aircraft was observed to make its approach over the slag bank to the south-east of the airfield; one witness stated that as it crossed Walney Channel the aircraft was lower than normal. The passenger in the right hand pilot seat states that the approach appeared normal; the landing lights were on and the left hand wind screen wiper was operating and he could see the runway sodium lights ahead. He was next aware of a sudden increase in engine power and looking ahead, he saw that the runway lights ha disappeared from view. He then saw some trees illuminated by the landing lights and immediately afterwards felt the aircraft's impact with the ground. When the aircraft failed to appear on the runway, the tower operator ordered the emergency services to search the approach end of runway 30. Some difficulty was experienced in locating the aircraft which had crashed below aerodrome level into the west bank of Walney Channel and was out of view. It was only when one of the passengers had extricated himself from the wreckage and climbed the bank, that the aircraft was found. There was no fire, but the aircraft was substantially damaged. The pilot received fatal injuries, and two o the passengers, including the one in the right hand pilot's seat were seriously injured.

Probable cause:

The accident was caused by the pilot allowing his aircraft to undershoot whilst making a difficult approach to a poorly lit runway in adverse weather conditions. Tiredness, lack of food, and poor visual accommodation were probably contributory factors. The effect of carbon monoxide in the pilot's blood may also have been a contributory factor. The following findings were reported:
- The approach to runway 30 at night in adverse weather conditions demanded an abnormally high degree of concentration and awareness due to the insufficiency of runway lights and a lack of glide slope guidance.

Final Report:

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

Date & Time: Nov 17, 1976 at 2238 LT

Type of aircraft:

Piper PA-31-310 Navajo

Operator:

Jack R. Sproch

Registration:

N50BB

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Tallahassee - Fort Lauderdale

MSN:

31-323

YOM:

1968

Location:

Tallahassee

Florida

Country:

Region:

Rockwell Grand Commander 690

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3000

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Tallahassee Airport, while climbing by night under instruments, the twin engine airplane descended into ground and crashed. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all three occupants have been killed.

Probable cause:

Controlled collision with ground during climb to cruise after the pilot failed to maintain a positive rate of climb. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Misread or failed to read instruments,
- Low ceiling (200 feet),
- Fog.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 690A near Independence: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 17, 1976 at 1950 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

M I C Corporation

Registration:

N57186

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Kansas City - Oklahoma City

MSN:

690-11186

YOM:

1974

Location:

Independence

Kansas

Country:

Region: