Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680FP in Fall City: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 27, 1976 at 1550 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Wayne W. Johnson
Registration:
N680FP
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Wenatchee - Seattle
MSN:
680-1322-135
YOM:
1963
Location:
Fall City
Washington
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:
950
Circumstances:
The pilot started the descent to Seattle-Boeing Field Airport when the left engine failed. The airplane entered a dive, went through the clouds and crashed in flames in Fall City. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent following an in-flight powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Improper operation of flight controls,
- Cause of feathered propeller could not be found,
- Observed spinning out of clouds.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402 in Nigeria: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 6, 1976
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
Somergul
Registration:
CS-AHP
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Jos - Port Harcourt
Location:
Nigeria
All Nigeria
Country:
Nigeria
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances while completing a flight from Jos to Port Harcourt. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Crash of a Cessna 402B in Elk City

Date & Time: Jul 23, 1976 at 1445 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
Thermo Dyne
Registration:
N3775C
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Phoenix - Elk City
MSN:
402B-0624
YOM:
1974
Location:
Elk City
Oklahoma
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:
3900
Captain / Total hours on type:
11.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Elk City Airport, both engines failed simultaneously. The pilot reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing off airport on land. The aircraft crash landed and came to rest in a field. All three occupants were injured, two of them seriously.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure caused by a fuel exhaustion. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Instructions misinterpreted.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 401A off Toronto: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jul 23, 1976
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 401
Operator:
Fafo Inc.
Registration:
N6203Q
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
401A-0003
YOM:
1969
Location:
Toronto City-Billy Bishop
Ontario
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
On final approach to Toronto City-Billy Bishop Airport, while completing a last turn, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed into the Lake Ontario. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed. They were flying to Toronto to take part to a physicians annual convention. The pilot, Dr. Donald Frankel, was the president of the Flying Physicians Association. His secretary Luella Roberts and Jacquelin Ann Boehne were also killed.

Crash of a Learjet 24D in Mexico City: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jun 29, 1976
Type of aircraft:
Learjet 24
Operator:
Registration:
XB-JOY
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Monterrey – Mexico City
MSN:
24-263
YOM:
1973
Location:
Mexico City-Benito Juarez
Federal District of Mexico City
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
On approach to Mexico City-Benito Juarez Airport, the airplane struck a hill and crashed few km from the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and all four occupants were killed.

Crash of a Pilatus PC-6/B1-H2 Turbo Porter in Cooma: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 20, 1976 at 1002 LT
Type of aircraft:
Pilatus PC-6 (Porter & Turbo Porter)
Operator:
Registration:
VH-SMB
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Talbingo – Khancoban – Cooma
MSN:
657
YOM:
1967
Location:
Cooma-Polo Flat
New South Wales
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
13138
Captain / Total hours on type:
3000.00
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Polo Flat at 0750 hours on a planned flight to Khancoban, Talbingo and return. There was dense fog at Polo Flat at this time and the aircraft took off and climbed through fog until it was in clear conditions above. At Cooma Aerodrome, fog which had existed earlier dissipated about 0715 hours and the weather at that location then remained clear. When the aircraft returned to the Polo Flat area shortly after 0930 hours, fog was still present but it was commencing to break with patches of blue sky visible from time to time. Information regarding the weather conditions was communicated to the, pilot who had established radio contact with the base operations officer at Polo Flat. Shortly after the aircraft arrived in the area it was observed to make what appeared to be a landing approach into the north but when it had descended to a height of 10 to 15 feet the approach was discontinued and it climbed away. After flying for some time above the fog at a height of about 500 feet the aircraft was heard approaching from the south and the operations officer heard the pilot transmit the words 'hit the...'. Shortly afterwards the sound of an impact was heard. The port wing of the aircraft had struck the radio transmitter mast 32 feet from the top and the aircraft crashed to the ground in a steep nose-down attitude some 146 metres north of the mast. A fierce fire developed shortly after impact.
Crew:
John Howard, pilot.
Passengers:
Evelyn Anne Harvey,
Patricia Joy Harvey.
Probable cause:
The probable cause of the accident was that the aircraft was operated at an unsafe height in weather conditions in which the pilot was not able to maintain the visual reference necessary to ensure adequate clearance from obstructions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680 in Sinclair

Date & Time: May 15, 1976 at 1157 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Registration:
N6275D
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Scottsbluff – Eugene
MSN:
680-0544-213
YOM:
1957
Location:
Sinclair
Wyoming
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
4518
Captain / Total hours on type:
780.00
Circumstances:
While cruising VFR on top on a flight from Scottsbluff to Eugene, the right engine failed. The pilote reduced his altitude to attempt an emergency landing and descended through adverse weather. After gears and flaps were extended, the airplane crashed in an open field. The pilot was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Airframe ice,
- Icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Conditions conducive to carburetor icing,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Snow,
- Propeller not feathered.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed L-1329 JetStar 6 in Chicago: 4 killed

Date & Time: Mar 25, 1976 at 1431 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-1329 JetStar
Operator:
International Air Service
Registration:
N1EM
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Chicago - San Jose
MSN:
5077
YOM:
1966
Location:
Chicago-Midway
Illinois
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
12250
Captain / Total hours on type:
61.00
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Chicago-Midway Airport runway 13R, the nose gear lifted off twice but the airplane failed to takeoff. Decision to abandon the takeoff procedure was taken too late. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran at a speed of about 60-80 knots, crossed a perimeter road, went through a fence, struck an ILS antenna and came to rest in flames against concrete blocks. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Collision with fence posts after an aborted takeoff. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Delayed action in aborting takeoff,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Ran off the end of runway,
- Pilot-in-command flew JetStar version 8 and never flew the 6 version which has 1,200 lbs less thrust than the 8 version.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Shafter

Date & Time: Mar 6, 1976
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft E18
Operator:
Swift Air Charter
Registration:
N4277B
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Desert
MSN:
BA-80
YOM:
1955
Location:
Shafter
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:
5000
Captain / Total hours on type:
3500.00
Circumstances:
En route to Pontiac, Michigan, the pilot encountered technical problems with the engines that stopped almost simultaneously. He completed a intentional wheels-up landing in a desert area located in Shafter and the twin engine airplane came to rest after sliding for few dozen yards. While the airplane was damaged beyond repair, both occupants escaped uninjured.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure caused by a fuel starvation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Intentional wheels-up,
- Fuel system,
- Unapproved modification,
- Rough terrain,
- Three 80 gallons tanks installed in fuselage.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560E in Reading: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 4, 1976 at 1208 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 560
Operator:
Silvio J. Adamo
Registration:
N3842C
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Albany - Reading
MSN:
560-727
YOM:
1959
Location:
Reading
Pennsylvania
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
2850
Captain / Total hours on type:
107.00
Circumstances:
The approach to Reading Airport was initiated in marginal weather conditions with fog and low clouds. On final, the airplane struck the ground and crashed 3,6 miles south of Reading LOM while cleared for an ILS approach to runway 36. The pilot was killed while both passengers were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain on final approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Fog.
Final Report:
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