Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500 near Flagler Beach: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 11, 1981 at 0202 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 500
Operator:
A. W. Hirshberg
Registration:
N711MK
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
500-0810
YOM:
1959
Location:
Flagler Beach
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:
1
Circumstances:
While flying at low height by night, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed near Flagler Beach, bursting into flames. The passenger was killed in the accident while the pilot was not found. Injury is presumed. The aircraft was destroyed. A load of marijuana was found in the wreckage.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees after the pilot exercised poor judgment and unwarranted low flying.
Final Report:

Crash of a Swearingen SA226T Merlin III in Cameron: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 10, 1981 at 2100 LT
Type of aircraft:
Swearingen SA226T Merlin III
Operator:
Registration:
N555AM
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
T-201
YOM:
1970
Location:
Cameron
Louisiana
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity. The pilot-in-command suffered a spatial disorientation and lost control of the aircraft that entered a dive and crashed into gulf of Mexico off Cameron. Both occupants were killed. They were engaged in an illegal smuggling flight.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent and subsequent crash after the pilot-in-command continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot-in-command suffered a spatial disorientation,
- Thunderstorm activity,
- Aircraft came to rest in water,
- Aircraft loaded with marijuana,
- Severe thunderstorm in progress.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Dove 5A in Sebring

Date & Time: May 1, 1981 at 0830 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.104 Dove
Operator:
Registration:
N630H
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
04378
YOM:
1952
Location:
Sebring
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:
After takeoff from Sebring Airport, while in initial climb, one of the engine failed. The pilot attempted an emergency landing when the airplane crash landed in a swampy area located on the north shore of Lake Istokpoga, about 2,5 miles south of Sebring airport. The pilot was not recovered and the airplane was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 680 near LaBelle: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 2, 1981 at 0015 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 680
Operator:
Registration:
N777A
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
680-0477-147
YOM:
1957
Location:
LaBelle
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:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
1200
Circumstances:
The pilot was completing an illegal flight and while attempting to land in dark night on a road located near LaBelle, the twin engine airplane crashed. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The aircraft stalled on final approach after the pilot failed to maintain flying speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Improperly loaded aircraft,
- Dark night,
- CofG in front of forward limit,
- Approximately 1,100 lbs of quaalude pills found on board.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-30-DL near Jareros: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 2, 1981
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Skytrain Air
Registration:
N258M
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
9555
YOM:
1943
Location:
Jareros
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 completing an illegal flight and was approaching an airstrip located near Jareros when the airplane struck a hill and crashed. Both occupants were killed.

Crash of a Beechcraft UC-45J on San Clemente Island: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 2, 1981
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
Operator:
Miller Air Transporters Company (MATCO)
Registration:
N68392
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
5615
YOM:
1943
Location:
San Clemente Island NAS
California
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:
300
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was completing an illegal flight to Santa Barbara when the airplane crashed in a mountainous area located on the San Clemente Island. The accident occurred in unknown circumstances and the wreckage was found seven months later on September 11, 1981. The pilot was killed. A load of 900 lbs of marijuana was also found in and around the wreckage.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain after the pilot misjudged altitude and clearance.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-7CF in Colombia

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1980
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-7
Operator:
Aero Services - USA
Registration:
N8219H
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
45214/897
YOM:
1957
Location:
Colombia
All Colombia
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed somewhere in Colombia while on a drug smuggling flight after being shot down by the Colombian Army. The exact date remains unknown (somewhere in 1980) as well as the crew's fate.
Probable cause:
Shot down by the Colombian Army.

Crash of a Convair CV-440-38 Metropolitan in Colombia

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1980
Type of aircraft:
Convair CV-440 Metropolitan
Operator:
Farm-Kem
Registration:
N102US
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
378
YOM:
1956
Location:
Colombia
All Colombia
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances while trying to land on a remote airstrip somewhere in Colombia. The accident occurred somewhere in 1980 (the exact date remains unknown) during a drug smuggling flight.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain near Tamarac: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 11, 1980 at 2130 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain
Operator:
Registration:
N19GA
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
31-7405252
YOM:
1974
Location:
Tamarac
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:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot was completing an drug smuggling flight and was attempting to land by night in a remote area near Tamarac when the airplane struck obstacles and crashed, bursting into flames. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Ground loop and nose down after the pilot selected an unsuitable terrain. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Unqualified person operated aircraft,
- High vegetation,
- Night landing on levee,
- No flight records on occupant,
- Marijuana on board.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-6A off Alice Town: 4 killed

Date & Time: Nov 28, 1980
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-6
Operator:
Registration:
N844TA
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Alice Town - Miami
MSN:
44421
YOM:
1954
Location:
Alice Town
Bimini
Country:
Bahamas
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Alice Town, Bimini, the four engine airplane lost height and crashed into the sea. All four occupants were killed. It is believed that the crew was engaged in a drug smuggling flight.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined but an engine failure was suspected.
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