Crash of a Beechcraft 65-80 Queen Air off Port Maria: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 25, 1980 at 0640 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 80 Queen Air
Operator:
George E. Harris & Company
Registration:
N218K
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
LD-98
YOM:
1963
Location:
Port Maria
Saint Mary
Country:
Jamaica
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
32000
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, departed Boscobel-Ian Fleming Airport on an illegal flight. While cruising along the shore, the twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea off Port Maria. The aircraft was not recovered and the pilot was presumed dead. The airplane was carrying a load of marijuana at the time of the accident.
Probable cause:
As the wreckage was not found, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 411A in Cape Coral: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 18, 1980 at 0515 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 411
Operator:
Burt H. Clubb
Registration:
N1411M
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
411-0160
YOM:
1966
Location:
Cape Coral
Florida
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
Captain / Total flying hours:
7250
Captain / Total hours on type:
48.00
Circumstances:
Crashed near the end of an unlighted and isolated road on a moonlight night while completing a contraband flight from Colombia. The twin engine airplane struck trees, crashed and burst into flames. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees on final approach after the pilot misjudged altitude and clearance. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot-in-command exercised poor judgment,
- Pilot fatigue,
- Approximately 1,000 lbs of marijuana/pills found on board,
- Crew flew 14 hours prior to the accident.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 404 Titan near Fort White: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 30, 1980 at 2315 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 404 Titan
Operator:
First Interamerica Corporation
Registration:
N37097
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
La Guajira - Fort White
MSN:
404-0105
YOM:
1977
Location:
Fort White
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:
1000
Captain / Total hours on type:
50.00
Circumstances:
While on an illegal flight from Colombia, carrying a load of cocaine, the pilot attempted to land in a rural area near Fort White when the airplane struck trees and crashed in an isolated zone. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees during a low pass after the pilot misjudged altitude. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Physical impairment,
- Pilot fatigue,
- Cocaine paste on board,
- Pilot's toxicology showed cocaine, methaqualone blood, urine.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680FLP near Iola: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 25, 1980 at 1310 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Flying Eagles
Registration:
N6515V
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
680-1599-25
YOM:
1966
Location:
Iola
Texas
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
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft has been stolen in an airport and used for marijuana transportation. En route, one of the engine stopped due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed in a prairie near Iola, Texas. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled collision with ground following an engine failure in flight due to inadequate preflight preparation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions on part of the pilot,
- Fuel exhaustion,
- Stolen aircraft,
- Complete failure one engine,
- Owner reported aircraft stolen,
- 935 lbs of marijuana found in aircraft,
- CofG approximately 5 inches behind aft limit.
Final Report:

Crash of a Convair CV-240-62 in Florida

Date & Time: Jul 23, 1980
Type of aircraft:
Convair CV-240
Operator:
Registration:
HI-899
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
236
YOM:
1952
Location:
Florida
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 somewhere in Florida while engaged in an illegal flight.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3 in Port-au-Prince: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jul 12, 1980 at 2115 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-3
Operator:
Unknown
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Location:
Port-au-Prince-Toussaint Louverture (François Duvalier)
West
Country:
Haiti
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
On final approach to Port-au-Prince-François Duvalier Airport by night, the airplane went out of control, rolled on its back and crashed in flames short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed. A load of marijuana was found on board. It was reported by Haitian Authorities that the pilot did not file any flight plan. The airplane was not scheduled to land at Port-au-Prince Airport and the pilot did not maintain any radio contact with ATC at all.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560A in San Miguel

Date & Time: Jun 15, 1980
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 560
Operator:
Registration:
HP-776
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Location:
San Miguel
San Miguel
Country:
Salvador
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Parked at Paitilla Airport, Panama, the aircraft was stolen by two pilots who wanted to transfer a load of ammunition to Nicaragua. En route, the crew was forced to attempt an emergency landing for unknown reasons. The aircraft crash landed near San Miguel and was damaged beyond repair in the accident. Both occupants were not recovered.

Crash of a Piper PA-31P Prerssurized Navajo in Ocala

Date & Time: Jun 4, 1980 at 0615 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
Operator:
Air Activities
Registration:
N7651L
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
31P-7300125
YOM:
1973
Location:
Ocala
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:
Parked at a local airport, the twin engine airplane was stolen during the night and the 'pilot' attempted a local flight when the left engine caught fire in flight. The airplane crash landed and came to rest in flames. The sole occupant was not recovered.
Probable cause:
Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot. Fire in left engine due to oil filler cap not secured. The crew fled from stolen aircraft after landing allowing fire to spread and destroy the airplane.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 404 Titan in Dade-Collier

Date & Time: Apr 25, 1980 at 0430 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 404 Titan
Operator:
Registration:
N3994C
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
404-0021
YOM:
1976
Location:
Dade-Collier
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
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was engaged in an illegal flight, carrying a load of marijuana. While flying at low height by night in the vicinity of Dade-Collier Airport, the airplane struck trees and crashed. The passenger was seriously injured and the pilot disappeared and was not found.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees by night for unknown reasons. Illegal flight.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-80 Queen Air in Sebring

Date & Time: Apr 6, 1980 at 2200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 80 Queen Air
Operator:
George H. Bailey Company
Registration:
N717Q
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
LD-66
YOM:
1963
Location:
Sebring
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
Circumstances:
While flying at low height by night on an illegal flight, both engines failed. The airplane descend, collided with trees and crash landed in a swamp. Both occupants were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure or malfunction for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- 16 bales of marijuana found aboard the aircraft.
Final Report:
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