Executive/Corporate/Business

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Middletown - Atlantic City

MSN:

5283

YOM:

1943

Location:

Atlantic City-Pomona

New Jersey

Country:

Region:

Rockwell Aero Commander 680

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2543

Captain / Total hours on type:

965.00

Circumstances:

While descending to Atlantic City-Pomona Airport, the crew completed a 350° turn to join the approach path when control was lost. The airplane stalled and crashed in flames in Egg Harbor, few miles from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were killed.

Probable cause:

Failed to maintain flying speed on initial approach. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Airframe ice,
- Icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain,
- Crashed in steep nose down attitude during a 350° turn heading change to intercept localizer.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 680V in Olathe: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 31, 1975 at 1336 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N399T

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Oklahoma City - Olathe

MSN:

680-1532-2

YOM:

1965

Location:

Olathe

Kansas

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

18843

Captain / Total hours on type:

800.00

Circumstances:

The approach to Olathe-Johnson County Airport was completed in poor weather conditions due to fog and low clouds. When the pilot passed below the clouds, the airplane was at an altitude of 400 feet just over the runway end. control was lost and the airplane crashed by the runway and was destroyed. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

The pilot failed to maintain flying speed on final approach. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper IFR operation,
- Failed to initiate a go-around,
- Low ceiling,
- Icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain,
- Fog,
- Moderate airframe icing in area,
- Aircraft observed to break out of overcast about 400 feet over end of runway.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft A90 King Air in Washington DC: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 25, 1975 at 1210 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft 90 King Air

Operator:

Registration:

N57V

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

City

Schedule:

Columbus - Washington DC

MSN:

LJ-268

YOM:

1967

Location:

Washington DC

District of Columbia

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

9745

Captain / Total hours on type:

50.00

Circumstances:

On a VOR/DME approach to Washington-National Airport, the crew encountered low clouds and failed to realize his altitude was insufficient. On final, the twin engine airplane struck a radio antenna. Upon impact, the left wing was torn off and the aircraft crashed in flames in the garden of the American University campus. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all five occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

The exact cause of the accident could not be determined. The following findings were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- High obstructions,
- Separation of the left wing in flight,
- Descended below minimum approach segment altitude during VOR/DME approach,
- Hit radio tower, causing the left wing to separate.

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo off Fairhope: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 19, 1975 at 1242 LT

Type of aircraft:

Piper PA-31-310 Navajo

Operator:

Registration:

N1FP

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Fairhope-H. L. Sonny Callahan

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Hattiesburg - Fairhope

MSN:

31-768

YOM:

1971

Location:

Alabama

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

6800

Captain / Total hours on type:

1000.00

Circumstances:

On final approach to Fairhope-H. L. Sonny Callahan Airport, the twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed into the Mobile Bay about four miles short of runway 01 threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled descent on approach due to inadequate maintenance and inspection. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Aileron tab control system jammed,
- Foreign material affecting normal operations,
- A screwdriver was inserted in control chain between pins 13 & 14,
- Full right travel could and did lock aileron control.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft A60 Duke in Mammoth Lakes: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 2, 1975 at 0835 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft 60 Duke

Operator:

Registration:

N2855W

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Mammoth Lakes – Santa Ana

MSN:

P-229

YOM:

1973

Location:

Mammoth Lakes-Yosemite

California

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2400

Circumstances:

Shortly after liftoff from Mammoth Lakes-Yosemite Airport, while in initial climb, both propellers oversped. As the airspeed was insufficient, the aircraft stalled and crashed in flames near the airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all five occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Propeller and accessories: hydraulic pitch control mechanism,
- Lack of action on part of the pilot,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Propeller oversped due to congealed oil,
- The pilot failed to exercise props checks before takeoff.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft H18 in Saint Augustine: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1974 at 1025 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft H18

Operator:

Misener Marine

Registration:

N500MM

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Saint Petersburg – Cocoa Beach – Saint Augustine

MSN:

BA-715

YOM:

1964

Location:

Saint Augustine

Florida

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

9293

Captain / Total hours on type:

100.00

Circumstances:

On approach to Saint Augustine Airport, the passenger reported to ATC that pilot had no control over aircraft after controls frozen. The airplane went out of control and crashed in flames, killing both occupants. The aircraft was totally destroyed by a post crash fire, precluding determination of cause.

Probable cause:

Loss of control on approach for undetermined reason. The following findings were reported:
- Fog,
- The passenger reported pilot had not control over aircraft,
- Controls frozen,
- Extensive fire damage precluded determination of cause.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Sabreliner 60 in Lancaster: 3 killed

Date & Time: Dec 27, 1974 at 2005 LT

Type of aircraft:

Rockwell Sabreliner 60

Operator:

Registration:

N920G

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Lancaster-Fairfield County

Schedule:

Denver - Lancaster

MSN:

306-74

YOM:

1974

Location:

Ohio

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

15105

Captain / Total hours on type:

367.00

Circumstances:

While on a night approach to Lancaster-Fairfield County Airport, the crew failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the airplane struck tree tops and crashed in a wooded area located few miles short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and all three crew members were killed.

Probable cause:

Improper IFR operation on part of the crew who disregard of good operating practice. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation and/or planning,
- High obstructions,
- Non-standard approach in night-instrument conditions,
- Flew into mountain.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 100 King Air in Birmingham: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 1, 1974 at 2032 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft 100 King Air

Operator:

Southern Services

Registration:

N50PC

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Chantilly - Birmingham

MSN:

B-19

YOM:

1970

Location:

Birmingham–Shuttlesworth

Alabama

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:

4393

Captain / Total hours on type:

1991.00

Circumstances:

On a night approach to Birmingham Airport, the crew reported trim trouble to ATC and decided to initiate a go-around. While trying to gain altitude, the crew lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed near the airport. Both pilots were killed while both passengers were seriously injured.

Probable cause:

The crew failed to obtain/maintain flying speed, causing the aircraft to stall. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions or planning,
- Airframe ice,
- Icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain,
- Ice engine,
- The pilot commenced a go-around, reported trim trouble and lost control in steep nose up attitude.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II in Mount Vernon

Date & Time: Dec 1, 1974 at 1730 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Coal Resources

Registration:

N3368Q

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Mount Vernon - Cincinnati

MSN:

421B-0252

YOM:

1972

Location:

Mount Vernon

Ohio

Country:

Region: