Crash of a Beechcraft 65 Queen Air near Preston: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 13, 1979 at 2000 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 65 Queen Air
Operator:
Thomas J. Rose
Registration:
N111WP
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
LC-132
YOM:
1962
Location:
Preston
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:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
333
Circumstances:
While in normal cruise, one of the engine failed due to low compression. The pilot reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing when the airplane crashed near Preston. The pilot, sole on board, was killed. A load of marijuana and drugs was found on board the aircraft that was stolen.
Probable cause:
Engine failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection on part of the maintenance personnel,
- Low compression,
- Stolen aircraft,
- Illegal flight,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Complete engine failure.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-6BF in Charleston

Date & Time: Jun 6, 1979 at 0417 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-6
Operator:
Registration:
AN-BFN
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
45322/939
YOM:
1958
Location:
Charleston-Yaeger (Kanawha)
West Virginia
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing an illegal flight and the airplane was carrying a load of 20,000 lbs of marijuana. After touchdown at an excessive speed, the four engine airplane was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran and collided with obstacles before coming to rest in fire. All three crew members were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Overshoot and subsequent collision with objects after the crew misjudged distance and speed on approach. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Attempted operation beyond experience/ability level,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Ran off end of runway,
- Crew not type-rated in aircraft.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in LaBelle: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 28, 1979 at 0330 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
Operator:
Florida Aircraft Exchange
Registration:
N6478L
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
31-358
YOM:
1968
Location:
LaBelle
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:
2200
Captain / Total hours on type:
40.00
Circumstances:
The crew was completing an illegal flight and was attempted to land near LaBelle by night and ground fog when the airplane struck trees and crashed. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees during go-around after the crew selected an unsuitable terrain. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Misjudged distance, speed, altitude and clearance,
- Fog,
- VFR flight,
- Pilot-in-command did not possess a multi engine rating,
- Narcotics contraband flight,
- Local ground fog.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421C Golden Eagle III near Kenansville

Date & Time: Apr 23, 1979
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 421C Golden Eagle III
Operator:
Aero Facilities Corporation
Registration:
N8432N
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
421C-0491
YOM:
1978
Location:
Kenansville
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 twin engine airplane was engaged in an illegal flight, carrying drugs. It crashed in unknown circumstances near Kenansville and was destroyed. The pilot was not recovered.
Probable cause:
The cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed 18 LodeStar in Lincolnton

Date & Time: Apr 12, 1979 at 0645 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 18 LodeStar
Operator:
McCollum Aviation
Registration:
N250W
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
2025
YOM:
1940
Location:
Lincolnton-Prater Ranch
Georgia
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll, the crew decided to abandon the takeoff procedure. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the twin engine airplane overran, struck trees and crashed in flames. Both occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed by fire. A load of 2,000 lbs of marijuana was found on board.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees after an aborted takeoff because the crew delayed action in aborting takeoff.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed PV-1 Ventura in Belle Glade

Date & Time: Apr 11, 1979 at 0500 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed PV-1 Ventura
Operator:
World Photography Corporation
Registration:
N8GW
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
4676
YOM:
1942
Location:
Belle Glade
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 a night landing at Belle Glade, the twin engine airplane overran, collided with trees and crashed in flames. The pilot, sole on board, evacuated the cabin and was not recovered by authorities. The flight was illegal and a load of 4,000 lbs of marijuana was found on board.
Probable cause:
Overshoot and subsequent collision with trees during landing roll after the pilot misjudged distance and speed and failed to initiate a go-around.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65 Queen Air in Arcadia: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 19, 1979 at 0423 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 65 Queen Air
Operator:
Registration:
N70GC
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
LC-237
YOM:
1966
Location:
Arcadia
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:
3400
Circumstances:
While in traffic pattern by night, the twin engine airplane stalled and crashed in flames. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Stall following engine failure for unknown reasons. The following findings were reported:
- Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons,
- Complete failure two engines,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Fire after impact,
- Marijuana stakeout.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 520 off New Orleans: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 4, 1979 at 1630 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 520
Operator:
Oklahoma Aircraft
Registration:
N4178B
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
South Bimini – Tampico
MSN:
520-85
YOM:
1953
Location:
New Orleans
Louisiana
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:
664
Captain / Total hours on type:
12.00
Circumstances:
En route from South Bimini to Tampico, Mexico, the airplane suffered a double engine failure. The pilot ditched the aircraft off New Orleans. Seriously injured, he was rescued but apparently died a week later.
Probable cause:
As the airplane was not recovered, it was not possible to establish the cause of the accident. Illegal flight suspected.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Kenansville: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 16, 1979 at 2000 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft D18
Operator:
Steele Aviation
Registration:
N80W
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
A-267
YOM:
1946
Location:
Kenansville
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:
310
Circumstances:
While flying at low height by night on an illegal flight, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed in flames. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees on final approach and subsequent stall and crash after the pilot misjudged altitude and clearance. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Stolen or unauthorized,
- Fire after impact,
- Unauthorized use of aircraft,
- Transporting marijuana.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-1-DK in Belle Glade

Date & Time: Dec 14, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Jose Rodriguez
Registration:
N4996E
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
12141
YOM:
1943
Location:
Belle Glade
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 airplane crash landed in a sugar cane field in Belle Glade and was damaged beyond repair. The pilot, apparently sole on board, was not found. Illegal flight with a load of marijuana on board.
Probable cause:
Ground loop during landing roll after the pilot selected an unsuitable terrain. The following contributing factors were reported.
- Misjudged distance and speed,
- High vegetation,
- Rough terrain,
- Illegally transporting marijuana,
- Crew not apprehended.
Final Report:
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