Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2 in Krasnaya Zarya

Date & Time: Mar 23, 1980
Type of aircraft:
PZL-Mielec AN-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-32588
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
1G105-02
YOM:
1969
Location:
Krasnaya Zarya
Orel oblast
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane crashed for unknown reasons shortly after takeoff. Both occupants were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident remains undetermined. However, it was reported that the crew was not authorized to perform the flight.

Crash of a Convair CV-240-0 off Haïti: 3 killed

Date & Time: Feb 15, 1980
Type of aircraft:
Convair CV-240
Operator:
William J. Evans
Registration:
N8330C
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
109
YOM:
1948
Location:
Haiti
All Haiti
Country:
Haiti
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Port-au-Prince Airport on an illegal flight to the US. About 45 minutes after takeoff, the crew declared an emergency and reported a fire on the right engine and right wing. He was cleared to return to Port-au-Prince when the airplane went out of control and crashed into the sea few km offshore. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Engine fire in flight for undetermined reasons.

Crash of a Cessna 421C Golden Eagle III near Plato

Date & Time: Dec 20, 1979
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 421C Golden Eagle III
Operator:
Horizon Partners
Registration:
N6814C
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
421C-0472
YOM:
1978
Location:
Plato
Magdalena
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances on a mountain located in the region of Plato while engaged in an illegal flight. Both occupants were seriously injured.

Crash of a Douglas RC-54V Skymaster in McCormick: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 19, 1979 at 0610 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-54 Skymaster
Operator:
Tiburon Aircraft
Registration:
N8060C
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
10563
YOM:
1945
Location:
McCormick
South Carolina
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:
24200
Circumstances:
By night, the crew was flying at low altitude in the region of McCormick to find a suitable area to land while completing an illegal smuggling flight. In limited visibility due to fog, the airplane struck trees and crashed in flames in a prairie. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed. The aircraft was carrying a load of 15,000 lbs of marijuana.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees and subsequent crash while in traffic pattern-circling after the crew misjudged distance, speed, altitude and clearance. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fog,
- Ground fog,
- Visibility below minimums,
- Collided with trees on rising terrain near sod strip at daybreak.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 404 Titan near Fort Lauderdale: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 30, 1979 at 1945 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 404 Titan
Operator:
Ambergate
Registration:
N88696
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
404-0228
YOM:
1978
Location:
Fort Lauderdale
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:
1
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1927
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a drug smuggling flight in Florida. While flying by night at low height in the region of Fort Lauderdale, the twin engine airplane struck an electric tower, lost height and crashed in a field. The captain was not apprehended while the copilot was killed in the accident.
Probable cause:
Collision with electric tower after the crew failed to see and avoid objects or obstructions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Aircraft stolen,
- Unwarranted low flying,
- Aircraft was hauling marijuana,
- Cocaine found in copilot's blood.
Final Report:

Crash of a Convair CV-440 Metropolitan in San Juan

Date & Time: Aug 26, 1979 at 0450 LT
Type of aircraft:
Convair CV-440 Metropolitan
Operator:
Cornerstone Construction
Registration:
N14478
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
103
YOM:
1953
Location:
San Juan-Luis Muñoz Marín (Isla Verde)
All Puerto Rico
Country:
Puerto Rico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On approach to San Juan-Isla Verde Airport, the right main landing failed to extend. The captain decided to complete two touch-and-go but the right main gear remained blocked in its wheel well. The decision to complete a belly landing was taken. After landing on runway 10, the airplane slid for few dozen meters before coming to rest. All three occupants escaped the scene and were not recovered. It was later reported that parts of the right main gear and the outboard five feet from the right horizontal stabilizer were missing.
Probable cause:
Suspected collision with object and subsequent wheels-up landing. The following findings were reported:
- Failed to see and avoid objects or obstructions,
- Intentional wheels-up landing,
- Forced landing on airport,
- Suspected or known aircraft damage,
- Right main landing gear struck unknown object.
Final Report:

Crash of an Avro 748-260-2A in Bogotá: 4 killed

Date & Time: Aug 22, 1979 at 0540 LT
Type of aircraft:
Avro 748
Operator:
Registration:
FAC-1101
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
City
MSN:
1702
YOM:
1971
Location:
Bogotá-El Dorado
Bogotá Capital District
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Parked at Bogotá-El Dorado Airport, the airplane was stolen by a 23 year old man who had been fired after working as a mechanic at the airport. Following a night takeoff, the pilot completed low passes when the airplane crashed into several houses located in a populated area near the airport. The aircraft and few houses were destroyed. The 'pilot' and three people on the ground were killed while seven others were injured.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo near Naples

Date & Time: Jul 20, 1979
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
Operator:
DuPont Oil Company
Registration:
N101MC
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
31-219
YOM:
1964
Location:
Naples
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 being stolen for an illegal mission, the twin engine airplane crash landed near Naples. The pilot selected an unsuitable terrain and the gear collapsed upon landing. The aircraft was then destroyed by a deliberate fire.
Probable cause:
Gear collapsed upon landing after the pilot selected an unsuitable terrain. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Stolen aircraft,
- Illegal flight,
- Found on 20JUL1979,
- Destroyed by deliberate fire.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in San Juan

Date & Time: Jul 13, 1979 at 0100 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft E18
Operator:
Registration:
N62B
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
BA-112
YOM:
1955
Location:
San Juan
All Puerto Rico
Country:
Puerto Rico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The pilot, apparently sole on board, was engaged in an illegal flight and attempted to land at night on a unsuitable terrain (runway closed). After landing, the twin engine airplane ground looped, struck a dirt bank and came to rest in flames. The pilot was not found and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Ground loop, swerved after landing on an abandoned strip during an illegal flight. The following findings were reported:
- The pilot selected an unsuitable terrain,
- Runway closed,
- Police confirmed traces of cocaine in aircraft.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-7CF in Barstow: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 22, 1979 at 2012 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-7
Operator:
Go Transportation
Registration:
N357AL
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
45229/904
YOM:
1957
Location:
Barstow-Daggett
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Just after liftoff from Barstow-Daggett Airport, both engines n°3 and 4 lost power. The crew attempted an emergency landing when the airplane lost height and crashed in flames in an open field. A pilot was killed while five other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire. Illegal smuggling flight.
Probable cause:
Engine malfunction during initial climb due to inadequate preflight preparation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper fuel grade,
- Improperly loaded aircraft, CofG,
- Failed to abort takeoff,
- Partial loss of power on two engines,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- 2,981 lbs over maximum gross weight,
- N°3 & 4 engines showed severe detonation damages,
- Fueled with 100 octane,
- Smuggling flight.
Final Report:
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