Crash of a Cessna 500 Citation I in Rio de Janeiro

Date & Time: Nov 12, 1976 at 2255 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
PT-KIU
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Araçatuba – Rio de Janeiro
MSN:
500-0172
YOM:
1974
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After landing at Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont Airport, the airplane was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran and came to rest into the Guanabara Bay about 100 metres past the runway end. All eight occupants were quickly rescued and the airplane sank 30 minutes later.

Crash of a Piper PA-31T Cheyenne II in Shannon: 5 killed

Date & Time: Nov 12, 1976 at 1722 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HB-LHT
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Shannon - London - Geneva
MSN:
31-7520003
YOM:
1975
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
1456
Captain / Total hours on type:
30.00
Aircraft flight hours:
877
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was completing an on-demand taxi flight from Shannon to Geneva with an intermediate stop in London, carrying four employees of the Digital Company and one pilot. The takeoff roll was initiated from runway 06 at Shannon Airport in poor weather conditions with a limited visibility due to fog. After liftoff, the airplane failed to maintain a positive vario and failed to gain sufficient height. At a speed of 160 knots, it nosed down to an angle of 5° and struck the runway surface about 1,600 metres from the runway threshold (point of departure). It bounced then struck successively a fence and a stone wall before crashing in flames in a prairie. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all five occupants have been killed.
Probable cause:
At the time of the accident, the runway visual range for runway 06 was 250 metres, which was considered as below the published procedures of the company and the airport which stipulated a minimum of 300 metres. No technical anomalies were found on the aircraft, its engines or instruments. The pilot took the decision to takeoff in below weather minimums and his experience was considered as insufficient with only 30 flying hours on type.

Crash of a Dassault Falcon 20C in Naples

Date & Time: Nov 12, 1976 at 0857 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N27R
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Naples - Winston Salem
MSN:
303
YOM:
1974
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3826
Captain / Total hours on type:
768.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Naples Airport, while initial climb, the airplane collided with a flock of seagulls that entered the engines. Both engines' compressors stalled, the airplane lost speed then stalled and crashed in an open field located past the runway end. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and all 11 occupants were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Bird strike during initial climb. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Failure to provide adequate directives, manual, equipment,
- Failure to notify of unsafe conditions / and or failure to mark obstruction,
- Bird ingestion,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Passengers not briefed,
- Emergency card instructions not correct for exits.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Spring Lake: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 11, 1976 at 1636 LT
Registration:
N74941
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Traverse City - Grand Haven
MSN:
31-7305086
YOM:
1973
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
1798
Captain / Total hours on type:
221.00
Circumstances:
While approaching Grand Haven Airport, both engines stopped quite simultaneously. The pilot lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed in Spring Lake, about three miles north of the airfield. Seven passengers were seriously injured while the pilot and an eighth passenger were killed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure on final approach due to mismanagement of fuel. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fuel starvation,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment,
- Fuel system: pumps,
- Right boost pump inoperative,
- Crossing feed used to start the right engine,
- Crossing feed found ON,
- Left inboard tank dry.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 401B in Hot Springs

Date & Time: Oct 24, 1976 at 0805 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N2WP
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Columbia - Hot Springs
MSN:
401B-0104
YOM:
1969
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
6400
Captain / Total hours on type:
1000.00
Circumstances:
While descending to Hot Springs-Ingalls Field Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with low ceiling, rain falls and fog. The twin engine airplane passed below the decision height when it struck trees and crashed. All six occupants were rescued and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees on final approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Fog,
- Descended below decision height.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 690A in Culver City: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 21, 1976 at 1423 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N568H
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Santa Barbara – Culver City
MSN:
690-11027
YOM:
1972
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
13785
Captain / Total hours on type:
972.00
Circumstances:
While approaching Culver City Airport on a flight from Santa Barbara, the twin engine airplane collided with a Beechcraft 35-C33 registered N21TH and owned by Steven I. Fendrik. Following the collision, both aircraft entered a dive and crashed in a residential area in Culver City. Both aircraft were destroyed as well as several cars and building. Both pilots on both aircraft were killed while there were no casualties on the ground. Both aircraft were under radar contact and flying in the vicinity of a controlled airport.
Probable cause:
In-flight collision in traffic pattern after the pilot failed to see and avoid other aircraft. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Pilot of other aircraft,
- Mid-air collision on downwind for runway 23.
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 25C in Campinas: 7 killed

Date & Time: Sep 26, 1976 at 2000 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
PT-IBR
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Manaus – São Paulo
MSN:
25-072
YOM:
1972
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Manaus-Eduardo Gomes Airport in the afternoon on a flight to São Paulo-Congonhas Airport. En route, the crew was informed about the deterioration of weather conditions at destination and was vectored to Campinas-Viracopos Airport. On final approach by night, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck trees and crashed in an eucalyptus plantation located 2 km short of runway 14. The wreckage was found at 0700LT the following day. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all seven occupants were killed, among them five top managers from the Brazilian Mercedes Benz Branch.
Crew:
Jorge Casara, pilot,
Hugo Fernandes Rosa, copilot.
Passengers:
Friedrich Karl Binder,
Wilhelm Künkele,
Karl-Heinz Eisenmenger,
Willy Weltzer,
Helmut Surkemper.

Crash of a Gulfstream GII in Hot Springs: 11 killed

Date & Time: Sep 26, 1976 at 1038 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N500J
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Trenton - Hot Springs
MSN:
60
YOM:
1969
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Captain / Total flying hours:
16982
Captain / Total hours on type:
523.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Hot Springs-Ingalls Field Airport, the crew encountered very poor weather conditions. On final, he failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck a mountain and crashed short of runway 24. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 11 occupants were killed. The wreckage was found 500 feet below the runway elevation. At the time of the accident, weather was poor with clouds down to 100 feet and fog.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain for undetermined reasons.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II in Ashdown: 3 killed

Date & Time: Sep 18, 1976 at 1450 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N29RX
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Atlanta - Abilene
MSN:
421B-0556
YOM:
1973
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
10079
Captain / Total hours on type:
533.00
Circumstances:
While cruising under VFR mode, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with clouds, turbulences and thunderstorm activity. The airplane suffered overload failure, disintegrated in the air and crashed in Ashdown. The wreckage was found a day later. All three occupants have been killed.
Probable cause:
Airframe failure in flight after the crew continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Overload failure,
- Thunderstorm activity,
- Turbulences associated with clouds and thunderstorms,
- Separation in flight,
- Sky obscured,
- Visibility half a mile or less,
- Aircraft disintegrated.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 414 Chancellor in Florida: 4 killed

Date & Time: Sep 13, 1976 at 0954 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N8PR
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Miami - Fort Lauderdale - Tallahassee
MSN:
414-0254
YOM:
1971
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
798
Captain / Total hours on type:
266.00
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Fort Lauderdale bound for Tallahassee with three passengers and a pilot on board. While cruising at an altitude of 12,500 feet in good weather conditions, the airplane collided with a USAF Douglas F-4E Phantom II registered 67-0255. Engaged in a routine exercise with two other F-4, the fighter departed Homestead AFB with two pilots on board under call sign 'Reed 11' and was descending to enter a restricted area for low-level gunnery practice. Both planes collided outside the boundaries of restricted airspace. The Cessna dove into the ground and crashed in the Brighton Indian Reserve, killing all four occupants. A pilot onboard the F-4E was killed while the second pilot ejected successfully and was injured. Both aircraft were destroyed upon impact.
Probable cause:
Failure of the pilots of the 'Reed 11' flight to maintain adequate vigilance in order to see and avoid the light aircraft. Base Supplement 1 to Tactical Air Command Manual 55-4 which allowed a VFR descent into the Avon Park gunnery range and Air Force Regulation 60-16 which required all flights to be conducted under IFR conditions unless to do so would result in contributing to the accident was the inconsistency between Homestead Air Force unacceptable mission derogation.
Final Report: