Crash of a Beechcraft C-45H Expeditor in Grand Coss

Date & Time: Sep 19, 1966
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
EL-AFO
Flight Phase:
MSN:
AF-638
YOM:
1954
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances. Occupant's fate remains unclear.

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Houston: 5 killed

Date & Time: May 11, 1966 at 1155 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N189L
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
A-180
YOM:
1946
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
9500
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll, after a course of 1,058 feet, the undercarriage were retracted. The aircraft sank on runway and both engines struck the ground. Out of control, the aircraft crashed in flames, killing all five occupants.
Probable cause:
Premature gear retraction on part of the crew who failed to abort takeoff. The aircraft needed more than 1,525 feet ground roll for takeoff and the props hit the runway surface 1,058 feet from start of roll.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft King Air 90 in Greencastle: 5 killed

Date & Time: Mar 11, 1966 at 1220 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N529N
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
LJ-112
YOM:
1966
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
11000
Captain / Total hours on type:
34.00
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude, the crew informed ATC about a double engine failure and was cleared to divert to the nearest airport for an emergency landing. Unable to maintain a safe altitude, the pilot-in-command attempted to land in a field when the airplane struck trees and crashed. Four passengers and a pilot were killed while three other occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure in flight for undetermined reason. Powerplant/engines would not airstart for unknown reason.
Final Report:

Crash of a Hawker-Siddeley HS.125-1A in Des Moines

Date & Time: Feb 24, 1966 at 1357 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N1135K
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Des Moines – Omaha
MSN:
25019
YOM:
1965
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
7330
Captain / Total hours on type:
375.00
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll, the pilot-in-command attempted to rotate when an unexpected situation was encountered. The captain decided to abort the takeoff and started an emergency braking procedure. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran and struck ditches before coming to rest in a field. While all four passengers were unhurt, both pilots were seriously injured. The aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the crew who attempted to takeoff with the gust locks still engaged. Delayed action in aborting the takeoff was considered as a contributing factor.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 680 in Kite: 6 killed

Date & Time: Dec 6, 1965 at 1610 LT
Registration:
N6819S
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
680-325-19
YOM:
1956
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
2100
Circumstances:
En route, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with snow showers. In a visibility reduced to two miles, the pilot-in-command lost control of the airplane that dove into the ground and crashed in a huge explosion in an open field. The aircraft was destroyed and all six occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The crew failed to maintain the flying speed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 23 near Palm Springs: 8 killed

Date & Time: Nov 14, 1965 at 1721 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N243F
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Palm Springs – Hollywood
MSN:
23-063
YOM:
1965
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Captain / Total flying hours:
15100
Captain / Total hours on type:
125.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
160
Copilot / Total hours on type:
24
Aircraft flight hours:
43
Circumstances:
About 1721 P.s.t., November 14, 1965, Lear Jet Model 23, N243F, operated as a free transportation flight by the Paul Kelly Flying Service, Inc., crashed shortly after a night takeoff from the Palm Springs Airport at Palm Springs, California. The crash was in the Indio Hills approximately 13 miles east of the airport. The six passengers and two crewmembers were fatally injured. The aircraft was destroyed by impact and fire. The flight, which was to transport the passengers to Burbank, California, was observed to depart Runway 13 in a normal manner, commence a low-angle climbout, and accelerate to a relatively high speed. Shortly after takeoff the pilot called the Thermal, California Flight Service Station. Although station personnel responded immediately, there were no other transmissions from the flight. About this time the aircraft was observed to make a left turn beneath a low cloud base of about 3,000 feet, proceed in a northerly direction and then enter a steep dive from horizontal flight, and crash. All eight occupants were killed.


Probable cause:
The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was spatial disorientation of the pilot, resulting in a loss of control.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 680 in Meeker

Date & Time: Oct 18, 1965 at 0840 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N6228D
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
7300
Captain / Total hours on type:
420.00
Circumstances:
En route, the pilot informed ATC that one of the engine failed and obtained the permission to divert to the nearest airport for an emergency landing. Shortly later, the pilot realized it would be impossible for him to reach the airport so he decided to attempt an emergency landing in an open field. The airplane slid for several yards before coming to rest. All four occupants were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure caused by fuel contaminated with water. Investigations determined that the aircraft was refueled during a heavy rainstorm at the departure airport, causing water to spill into fuel tanks.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas A-26B Invader in Scottsbluff: 3 killed

Date & Time: Sep 17, 1965 at 2009 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N67907
Survivors:
No
MSN:
28036
YOM:
1944
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
10846
Captain / Total hours on type:
94.00
Circumstances:
While approaching Scottsbluff Airport in marginal weather conditions, the airplane went out of control and crashed in flames few miles short of runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control apparently caused by icing conditions. The pilot entered an area of known icing conditions and the airplane was not adequately equipped for airframe icing.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C18 in Charlotte Amalie: 3 killed

Date & Time: Sep 15, 1965 at 1926 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N8063H
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
8540
YOM:
1945
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
2000
Captain / Total hours on type:
200.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Charlotte Amalie-Harry S. Truman Airport, while climbing, the twin engine aircraft disappeared and crashed in unknown circumstances. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the three occupants was found. It is believed the airplane may have crashed into the sea.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidence, the cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of an Aero Commander 500B in Rockford: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 29, 1965 at 1337 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N78333
Survivors:
No
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
2424
Captain / Total hours on type:
367.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Rockford-Greater Rockford Airport, one of the engine failed. Due to insufficient speed, the pilot lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed in a field. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure caused by a technical issue on the fuel/injection system. Investigations determined that a fuel-flow distributor diaphragm p/n 383237 failed.
Final Report: