Crash of a Cessna 411 in Endicott

Date & Time: Dec 21, 1973 at 0750 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N424RF
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Endicott - Toronto
MSN:
411-0058
YOM:
1965
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
4828
Captain / Total hours on type:
268.00
Circumstances:
While taking off from a snow covered runway, the airplane became unstable and directional control was lost. The pilot reduced the power on the right engine to compensate but this was insufficient. The airplane overran and came to rest in a snow covered area. All four passengers were injured and the pilot was seriously wounded. The aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Loss of control during takeoff after the pilot selected an unsuitable terrain. The following factors were reported:
- Snow on runway,
- Delayed action in aborting takeoff,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Snow,
- Unfavorable wind conditions,
- Overload failure,
- Reduced power on right engine to correct skid,
- Unable to obtain takeoff speed and overran runway.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C90 King Air in Columbia: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 20, 1973 at 1317 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N711FC
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Edenton - Columbia
MSN:
LJ-516
YOM:
1971
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
6125
Circumstances:
On approach to Columbia Airport, the pilot encountered below minima weather conditions with low ceiling, fog and rain falls. On final, the pilot descended below MDA when the twin engine airplane collided with trees and crashed. The pilot and a passenger were killed while a second passenger was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Improper IFR operation on part of the pilot. The following factors were reported:
- Low ceiling, rain and fog,
- Pilot fatigue,
- High obstructions,
- Weather conditions below minimums,
- Descended below MDA.
Final Report:

Crash of a Dassault Falcon 20C in Norwich

Date & Time: Dec 12, 1973 at 1538 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
LN-FOE
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Norwich - Göteborg
MSN:
62
YOM:
1967
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5939
Captain / Total hours on type:
1902.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
5814
Copilot / Total hours on type:
864
Aircraft flight hours:
4779
Circumstances:
The Dassault Falcon 20C jet aircraft was on charter to fly passengers from Norwich, U.K. to Gothenburg, Sweden, and during the morning it made an uneventful positioning flight from Oslo, Norway, to Norwich where it landed at 12:28 hrs. The six passengers boarded the aircraft at about 15:20 hrs and the aircraft received clearance from Norwich Tower to taxi out for take-off on runway 28. While taxying the crew received an airways clearance and the aircraft was lined up on the runway without delay. The co-pilot, a qualified commander on this type of aircraft, was in the left hand pilot's seat, and the aircraft commander in the right hand seat. No bird flocks were seen by either of the pilots whilst taxying to the active runway. The aircraft took-off at 15:37 hrs piloted from the left hand seat. On becoming airborne, at a position a little over halfway down the runway, the crew saw a flock of birds ahead flying just above the ground. The pilot increased slightly the aircraft's climb attitude and the flock passed underneath. A few seconds later a second flock was seen at a higher level and directly in the aircraft's flight path. The pilot lowered the aircraft nose and the flock passed overhead. On re-establishing the climb and at a height of between 100 and 200 feet a third flock was seen, again directly ahead. This flock extended from ground level to well above the aircraft and there was no possible way for the pilot to avoid it; almost immediately the crew heard the sound of multiple bird strikes on the aircraft, the commander described the noise as 'like a machine gun'. The pilot maintained the aircraft in the climb attitude and the commander, who was checking the aircraft's instruments, noticed the RPM on both engines running down very fast, he also observed the engine pressure ratio (EPR), and exhaust gas temperature (EGT) instrument readings dropping. The pilot heard a bang from the engines, followed by the sound of the engines running down in a rough and abnormal manner. He quickly asked if both engines had failed. This was confirmed by the commander who tried to move the thrust levers without any response from the engines. By this time the aircraft was at a height of approximately 300 feet with the landing gear still down, the crew not having had time to select it up because of their preoccupation with avoiding the bird flocks. The speed, which had been about 150 knots prior to the bird strikes, had dropped to 135 knots. The control column was eased forward to maintain speed and the aircraft began to lose height. The pilot saw a field ahead and slightly left of the aircraft which he considered the best forced landing area. On receiving confirmation of his decision from the commander, the pilot made a turn to the left and lined up the aircraft for an approach to the selected field. Visibility was not good because of approaching darkness but the crew were able to see some trees at the approach end of the field. These were avoided and a positive touch down made; the stall warning sounded just before the aircraft hit the ground. Battery and fuel switches were turned off either just before or after ground impact and an attempt was made to close the thrust levers, but these would not move. All three landing gear legs were torn off shortly after ground impact and the aircraft finally came to rest on the belly of the fuselage. The commander, although partially blinded by blood from cuts on his head, made his way to the main cabin door, which he opened, and all the occupants were evacuated.
Probable cause:
The accident was caused by failure of both engines because of mechanical damage due to bird ingestion. The following factors were reported:
- Prior to takeoff no concentration of birds was seen on the airport by the aircraft crew or by ATC personnel in the tower,
- A large concentration of seagulls was either on the active runway or was arriving over the airport at the time of takeoff,
- The aircraft suffered multiple bird strikes immediately after takeoff and both engines failed due to bird ingestion,
- The crew made a successful forced landing in a field near the end of the runway and are to be commanded for the high degree of professional airmanship displayed,
- During the forced landing the aircraft was substantially damaged but the passengers did not suffer any appreciable injuries; the three crew members however suffered varying degree of injury.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402A in San Vicente

Date & Time: Nov 29, 1973 at 1455 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N111RN
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Acapulco - Cozumel
MSN:
402A-0131
YOM:
1969
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2518
Captain / Total hours on type:
40.00
Circumstances:
En route from Acapulco to Cozumel, the pilot informed ATC about the malfunction of both engines and was cleared to divert to San Vicente Airfield, Chiapas. On approach, the twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed in flames. Both occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
Partial loss of power on both engines for undetermined reason.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle I in Roosevelt: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 21, 1973 at 1050 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N2217Q
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Provo - Omaha
MSN:
421B-0017
YOM:
1970
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
18000
Captain / Total hours on type:
458.00
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude, the pilot encountered problems with the left propeller and lost control of the airplane that dove into the ground and crashed in Roosevelt. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure caused by a propeller and accessories (governors) technical issue. The following factors were reported:
- Governors disconnected,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Improper operation of flight controls,
- Physical impairment,
- Suspected mechanical discrepancy,
- Left governors lower spring seat/thrust bearing of pilot valve plunger loose,
- Possibility of hypoglycemic reaction.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601) in Raymond: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 3, 1973 at 1930 LT
Registration:
N7430S
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Albany - Tulsa
MSN:
61-0015
YOM:
1968
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
1234
Captain / Total hours on type:
57.00
Circumstances:
On a flight from Albany to Tulsa, while cruising in marginal weather conditions, the twin engine airplane went out of control and entered a dive until it crashed in an open field located in Raymond, Ohio. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control and uncontrolled descent for undetermined reason. The following factors were reported:
- Low ceiling, rain and fog,
- No dual check-out.02 system empty,
- Top clouds to 10,000 feet,
- Aircraft intact until impact.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680FL in Van Nuys: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 12, 1973 at 1021 LT
Registration:
N7377B
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Van Nuys - Fullerton
MSN:
680-1402-57
YOM:
1964
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
16000
Captain / Total hours on type:
3500.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Van Nuys Airport, while climbing, both engines stopped simultaneously. The pilot informed ground and completed a 180 turn to attempt an emergency landing when the airplane stalled and crashed few miles from the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of both engines caused by a fuel exhaustion. The following factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Fuel exhaustion,
- Fuel selectors found on empty auxiliary tanks.
Final Report:

Crash of a BAe 125-1A in Acapulco: 8 killed

Date & Time: Oct 12, 1973
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
XA-COL
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Houston - Acapulco
MSN:
25086
YOM:
1966
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
While approaching Acapulco-General Juan N. Álvarez Airport in marginal weather conditions, the crew failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the airplane struck the ground and crashed few km from the runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and all eight occupants were killed.

Crash of a Learjet 25 in Lincoln: 3 killed

Date & Time: Sep 25, 1973 at 0618 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N40LB
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Lincoln - Omaha
MSN:
25-009
YOM:
1968
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
2690
Circumstances:
The takeoff from Lincoln Airport was initiated in low ceiling and fog. Just after liftoff, the twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control in initial climb following an inadequate preflight preparation on part of the crew. The following factors were reported:
- Low ceiling and fog,
- Poor crew coordination,
- The pilot-in-command was rated in this model the previous day.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed 18-56LodeStar in Pecos: 3 killed

Date & Time: Sep 4, 1973 at 0554 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N669M
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
2591
YOM:
1943
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
3290
Captain / Total hours on type:
13.00
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Pecos Airport, the pilot lost control of the airplane swerved and eventually crashed. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and all three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot failed to maintain directional control during takeoff. The following factors were reported:
- Attempted operation beyond experience and ability level,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Exceeded design stress limits of aircraft,
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Exercised poor judgment.
Final Report: