Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Clewiston: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 11, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft D18
Operator:
C & M Aircraft Parts & Salvage Company
Registration:
N80FA
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
A-857
YOM:
1952
Location:
Clewiston
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
Circumstances:
While completing a low pass, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees during a low pass after the pilot misjudged altitude and clearance. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Unwarranted low flying,
- High obstructions,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Bale of marijuana found along flight path in open field.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680 near Katherine

Date & Time: Jan 22, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Location:
Katherine
Northern Territory
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a drug smuggling flight and attempted to land on an abandoned airstrip located about 6 km west of Katherine. After the mishap, the crew set afire the airplane and left before being arrested by the police. On board was a load of 200,000 opium sticks for a total value of 3 millions US$.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-85-DL near Villavicencio

Date & Time: Oct 2, 1977
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Jack Lenhardt
Registration:
N98H
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
20061
YOM:
1944
Location:
Villavicencio
Meta
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a drug smuggling flight when he was forced down by Colombian Air Force. The aircraft crash landed near Villavicencio. Both pilots were arrested and the airplane was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Forced down by Colombian Air Force during an illegal flight.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3C near Newton

Date & Time: Jun 13, 1977 at 0030 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-3
Operator:
Hall Mining Company
Registration:
N38AP
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
10217
YOM:
1943
Location:
Newton
Georgia
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 pilot attempted to land by night on an unsuitable terrain located near Newton that was lighted by flashlights. Upon landing, the gear collapsed and the airplane crashed. The passenger was slightly injured while the pilot was seriously wounded. The aircraft was written off. This was probably a drug smuggling flight.
Probable cause:
Gear collapsed on landing after the pilot selected an unsuitable terrain. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Misjudged distance and speed,
- Not aligned with the intended landing area,
- Intentional ground loop,
- Overload failure,
- Landing area lighted by flashlights.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3A-408 near Vero Beach

Date & Time: Jun 12, 1977
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-3
Operator:
Tony Perez
Registration:
N33649
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
4809
YOM:
1941
Location:
Vero Beach
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:
0
Circumstances:
While completing a drug smuggling flight, the crew was forced to make an emergency landing for unknown reasons. There were no casualties and the aircraft was written off.

Crash of a Lockheed 18-56-23 LodeStar near Lone Pine

Date & Time: May 20, 1977
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 18 LodeStar
Operator:
Transalaska Produce Corporation
Registration:
N20GY
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
2437
YOM:
1943
Location:
Lone Pine
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:
0
Circumstances:
Following an improper level off, the twin engine airplane crash landed near Lone Pine. The undercarriage collapsed on landing then the airplane slid on its belly and came to rest in flames. The pilot disappeared and was not found while the aircraft was destroyed by fire. It was engaged in a contraband flight.
Probable cause:
Improper level off and hard landing caused the undercarriage to fail.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3A-201A in LaBelle

Date & Time: Mar 17, 1977
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-3
Operator:
Registration:
N101MX
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
2102
YOM:
1939
Location:
LaBelle
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 pilot, apparently sole on board, was completing an illegal flight and elected to land on an unsuitable terrain located near LaBelle, Florida. Upon landing on soft ground, the airplane nosed down and came to rest. The pilot was not recovered but a load of 4,000 lbs of marijuana was found on board.
Probable cause:
Landing on an unsuitable terrain while completing an illegal flight.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-54E-1-DO Skymaster near Monroe Station

Date & Time: Mar 3, 1977 at 2100 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-54 Skymaster
Operator:
Interamerica Air Lease
Registration:
N174DP
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Ponce - Miami
MSN:
27263
YOM:
1944
Location:
Monroe Station
Florida
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 four engine aircraft departed Ponce on a flight to Miami. The crew attempted to land on an unsuitable terrain located north of Monroe Station, while completing an illegal smuggling flight. Upon landing on muddy ground, at least one landing gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest. All three occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. A load of 1,700 kilos of marijuana was found on board.
Probable cause:
Gear collapsed upon landing on an unsuitable terrain. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Stolen or unauthorized flight,
- Wet, soft ground,
- Overload failure.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed P-1 Ventura in the Yosemite National Park: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 9, 1976
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed PV-1 Ventura
Operator:
Red River Ranch Inc.
Registration:
N80BD
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Baja - Reno
MSN:
5375
YOM:
1943
Location:
Yosemite National Park
California
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:
5000
Circumstances:
The crew was completing an illegal flight from Mexico to Reno. En route, the twin engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in the Yosemite National Park. SAR operations were initiated but eventually suspended after few days as no trace of the aircraft nor both occupants was found. Walkers found the wreckage in an isolated area on 14 June 1977.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined. However, the following findings were reported:
- Airframe failure,
- Wing attachment fittings, bolts,
- Overload failure,
- Separation in flight,
- Transportation of narcotics.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680E in Mineral

Date & Time: Dec 9, 1976
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Andan G. Oscar
Registration:
N344V
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
680-0770-46
YOM:
1959
Location:
Mineral
Texas
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:
While completing an illegal drug transportation flight, the pilot elected to land on a private terrain when the airplane struck power cables and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and pilot was not found.
Probable cause:
Collision with wires/poles after the pilot failed to see and avoid objects or obstructions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- High obstructions,
- Illegal flight,
- Aircraft believed burned by pilot.
Final Report:
Subscribe to Illegal (smuggling)