Crash of a Douglas C-49J in Port Mayaca: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 11, 1978 at 0630 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-49 (DC-3)
Operator:
Aircraft Sales & Leasing - ASL
Registration:
N133AC
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
6260
YOM:
1942
Location:
Port Mayaca
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:
467
Captain / Total hours on type:
30.00
Circumstances:
While circling to land on a remote area in Port Mayaca, the airplane lost height, struck trees and crashed. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were killed. The airplane was carrying a load of 2,2 tons of marijuana.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees and subsequent crash in traffic pattern-circling due to mismanagement of fuel. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fuel starvation,
- The pilot attempted operation beyond experience/ability level,
- Unqualified person operated aircraft,
- Complete engine failure - two engines,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Narcotics contraband flight,
- No fuel present in the right engine fuel system.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-4 near Valledupar: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 17, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-4
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Location:
Valledupar
Cesar
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Carrying a load of marijuana, the four engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances near Valledupar. All three crew members were killed.

Crash of a Douglas DC-7CF near Farmerville: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 6, 1978 at 0310 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-7
Operator:
Advance Aviation (USA)
Registration:
N244B
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Willemstad - Almyra
MSN:
44876/673
YOM:
1956
Location:
Farmerville
Louisiana
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:
While flying at low altitude in a limited visibility due to the night, the four engine airplane struck tree tops and crashed in a dense wooded area located 3 miles south of Farmerville, LA. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire. Five occupants were injured while a passenger was killed. A load of about 10 tons of marijuana was found in the wreckage.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with ground after the pilot misjudged altitude and clearance. An inadequate preflight preparation was considered as a contributing factor.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-A80 Queen Air in South Bay: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 4, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 80 Queen Air
Operator:
Rancho San Gabriel
Registration:
N44SG
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
LD-198
YOM:
1965
Location:
South Bay
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 twin engine airplane crashed under unknown circumstances in South Bay, Florida. The aircraft was discovered abandoned and burning in a sod field and the pilot, sole on board, was killed. The circumstances of the accident could not be determined.
Probable cause:
The cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Percival P.66 Pembroke in Sylvester

Date & Time: Aug 3, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Percival P.66 Pembroke
Operator:
Registration:
N51951
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
20
YOM:
1955
Location:
Sylvester
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:
Sole on board, the pilot was completing a drug smuggling flight from Colombia, originally to Valdosta, Georgia. The aircraft was carrying a load of 2,000 lbs of marijuana and supposed to land at Valdosta Airport. For unknown reasons, the runway lights could not be activated so the pilot diverted to Sylvester Airport where the visibility was about half a mile in fog. After landing, the twin engine airplane went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. The pilot deliberately burnt the aircraft after accident.
Final Report:

Crash of a Percival P.66 Pembroke in Ciénaga

Date & Time: Jul 30, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Percival P.66 Pembroke
Operator:
Registration:
N51963
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
66
YOM:
1956
Location:
Ciénaga
Magdalena
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 a banana plantation near Ciéanaga while involved in an illegal flight. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off.

Crash of a Lockheed 18-56-23 LodeStar in Durbin: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 1, 1978 at 0300 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 18 LodeStar
Operator:
Wiley C. Puckett
Registration:
N9051
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
2517
YOM:
1943
Location:
Durbin
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
8000
Circumstances:
While flying by night at low altitude, the twin engine airplane struck obstacles and crashed in flames. All three occupants were killed. Illegal flight suspected. Customs agents were looking for the aircraft.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight with ground during low pass after the pilot-in-command misjudged altitude.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Ocala: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 30, 1978 at 1800 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft D18
Operator:
Southern Aero Traders
Registration:
N800WM
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
A-90
YOM:
1946
Location:
Ocala
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:
370
Captain / Total hours on type:
30.00
Circumstances:
While flying at low height, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed in a field. The aircraft was destroyed by a post impact fire and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees after the pilot diverted attention from operation of aircraft. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Misjudged altitude and clearance,
- Marijuana vegetation found on board.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560F in Holopaw

Date & Time: Apr 22, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 560
Operator:
Sanford Schwartz
Registration:
N36JH
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
560-1283-56
YOM:
1963
Location:
Holopaw
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 crashed under unknown circumstances near Holopaw and collided with fence. The pilot, apparently sole on board, was not found.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident was not determined. The aircraft was under surveillance for drug trafficking.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680 in Fellsmere: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 5, 1978 at 2100 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Mid South Flying Services
Registration:
N2998C
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
680-987-34
YOM:
1960
Location:
Fellsmere
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
Captain / Total flying hours:
18980
Circumstances:
While flying by night at a very low altitude, the twin engine airplane struck an obstacle and crashed. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Nosed down and crashed after the pilot selected an unsuitable terrain. Aircraft found in a canal adjacent to a road. It was under surveillance for suspicion of narcotics contraband.
Final Report:
Subscribe to Illegal (smuggling)