Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2 in Luydinovo: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 14, 1982 at 1537 LT
Type of aircraft:
PZL-Mielec AN-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-07552
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Lyudinovo - Lyudinovo
MSN:
1G154-53
YOM:
1974
Location:
Lyudinovo
Kaluga oblast
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Aircraft flight hours:
6957
Aircraft flight cycles:
23546
Circumstances:
After consuming alcohol during the day, the crew decided to takeoff for a local unauthorized flight with a passenger on board. After takeoff, the pilot initiated a right turn toward Lompad Lake. At a height of about 15-17 meters, the single engine airplane struck power cables, crashed into the lake and sank. All three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The crew was intoxicated at the time of the accident. The copilot had a blood alcohol level of 1.3 ‰.

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45G Expeditor in Lehigh Acres

Date & Time: Sep 15, 1982
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
Operator:
Registration:
N469DM
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
AF-341
YOM:
1953
Location:
Lehigh Acres
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances near Lehigh Acres while engaged in an illegal flight. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 in Vargas: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 13, 1982
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Location:
Vargas
Veracruz
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was conducting an illegal flight and was attempting to land on a clandestine airstrip when the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances. Both occupants were killed. The aircraft was carrying a load of electronic equipment.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 in Polonuevo

Date & Time: Apr 16, 1982
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Location:
Polonuevo
Atlántico
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in an illegal flight between Colombia and the United States. While flying by night, the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in Polonuevo, about 14 km southwest of Barranquilla-Ernesto Cortissoz Airport. Both pilots were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Charlotte

Date & Time: Mar 8, 1982
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft E18
Operator:
Federated Air Freight
Registration:
N700W
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
BA-54
YOM:
1955
Location:
Charlotte
Texas
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
Aircraft flight hours:
12746
Circumstances:
The aircraft crashed during takeoff from a clearing on a ranch and then was abandoned. The aircraft landing gear struck a concrete trough for watering cattle. Drugs were found on board the aircraft.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: in flight collision with object
Phase of operation: takeoff
Findings
1. (f) stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - performed - pilot in command
2. (c) reason for occurrence undetermined
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Fort Pierce

Date & Time: Feb 6, 1982 at 2115 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
Operator:
Aircraft Maintenance Corporation
Registration:
N747CE
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Montego Bay - Fort Lauderdale
MSN:
31-673
YOM:
1970
Location:
Fort Pierce
Florida
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
Aircraft flight hours:
5211
Circumstances:
The aircraft crashed at night near a private strip in marginal weather conditions. The gear was found in the up position, the right engine was broken off, the nose section was crushed back to the windshield, and both propellers were bent and twisted. About 1,300 lbs of marijuana was found on board.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: unknown
Findings
1. (f) stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - performed - pilot in command
2. (f) light condition - dark night
3. (f) weather condition - low ceiling
4. (c) vfr flight into imc - continued - pilot in command
5. (c) altitude - misjudged - pilot in command
6. (f) visual/aural perception - pilot in command
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Port Mansfield: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 17, 1982 at 1500 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
Operator:
Aviation Services International
Registration:
N9181Y
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
31-240
YOM:
1968
Location:
Port Mansfield-Charles R. Johnson
Texas
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:
3200
Circumstances:
The aircraft crashed and burned about half a mile from the approach end of runway 12. A witness reported that 'the plane just fell' while the pilot was making a sharp turn. An estimated 1,500 lbs of marijuana was on board.
Probable cause:
Loss of control on BFR approach pattern after the pilot failed to maintain flying speed. The following findings were reported:
- Stolen aircraft, unauthorized use,
- Inadvertent stall by the pilot.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 414A Chancellor in Homestead

Date & Time: Sep 19, 1981
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 414 Chancellor
Operator:
Registration:
N90673
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
414A-0255
YOM:
1979
Location:
Homestead AFB
Florida
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
Circumstances:
The pilot, probably sole on board, was completing an illegal flight from Mexico to Florida with contraband on board. En route, the pilot was forced to attempt an emergency landing due to fuel exhaustion. The airplane crash landed near Homestead and was abandoned. The pilot was not recovered and a load of 1,000 lbs of marijuana was found onboard. The aircraft has been stolen.
Probable cause:
Engine failure or malfunction due to fuel exhaustion. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Fuel exhaustion,
- Stolen aircraft,
- Injury index presumed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 404 Titan in St Simons Island

Date & Time: Aug 11, 1981
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 404 Titan
Operator:
Registration:
N2684L
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
404-0610
YOM:
1979
Location:
St Simons Island
Georgia
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
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in a swampy area located near Frederica River, St Simons Island, Georgia. The wreckage was found partially submerged and the pilot was not found. It is believed the airplane crashed after becoming entangled with a trawler net. Injury index presumed.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-A80 Queen Air near Gerlach

Date & Time: Jul 17, 1981
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 80 Queen Air
Operator:
Soren Edward Jensen Jr.
Registration:
N6867Q
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
LD-223
YOM:
1965
Location:
Gerlach
Nevada
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
Circumstances:
The pilot was attempting to land in a rough terrain when the airplane crash landed, lost its undercarriage and came to rest in flames. The pilot was injured while the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Gear collapsed on touchdown after the pilot selected an unsuitable terrain. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Rough/uneven terrain,
- Marijuana residue found at crash site.
Final Report:
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