Illegal (smuggling)

Operator:

Tiffany Realty

Registration:

N32L

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

2323

YOM:

1943

Location:

Lake Placid

Florida

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

17800

Circumstances:

While flying at low height, the pilot made an evasive maneuver to avoid power cable when control was lost. The airplane crashed in a prairie located near Lake Placid. While the passenger was seriously injured, the pilot was killed. The flight was illegal as 3,244 pounds of marijuana was found on board.

Probable cause:

Improper operation of flight controls on part of the pilot who failed to maintain flying speed. The following factors were reported:
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Unwarranted low flying,
- Evasive maneuver to avoid collision,
- Low level flight,
- Illegal flight.

Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed 18-56 LodeStar in Pompano Beach: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 14, 1974 at 2000 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N2375

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

2455

YOM:

1943

Location:

Pompano Beach

Florida

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5000

Circumstances:

The crew was completing an illegal flight to the US with a load of more than 4,000 pounds of marijuana on board. While flying over Florida, the right engine failed and the crew decided to divert to Pompano Beach Airport for an emergency landing. On final approach, the airplane went out of control and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Engine malfunction on final approach caused by the failure of a cylinder assembly. The following factors were reported:
- Material failure,
- Failed to follow the approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Exercised poor judgment,
- Improperly loaded aircraft and CofG,
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Low ceiling,
- Obstructions to vision,
- Complete engine failure,
- Failure of n°9 exhaust valve on right engine,
- Propeller not feathered,
- Stalled on turn to airport,
- Over gross weight,
- Illegal flight with about 4,000 pounds of marijuana on board.

Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed 18 LodeStar in Placida

Date & Time: Jan 11, 1974 at 0455 LT

Type of aircraft:

Florida Airways International

Operator:

Registration:

N711FN

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

2583

YOM:

1943

Location:

Placida

Florida

Country:

Region:

Beechcraft AT-7 Navigator

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The pilot, sole on board, was completing an illegal flight and the aircraft was carrying a load of one ton of marijuana. While trying to land by night in Placida, the airplane struck power cables and crashed in an open field. The pilot disappeared and was not found. The aircraft was destroyed and the marijuana was found on board.

Probable cause:

Improper in-flight decisions and/or planning on part of the pilot. The following factors were reported:
- Misjudged distance and altitude,
- Failed to see and avoid objects or obstructions,
- Fog,
- High obstructions,
- Aircraft stolen,
- Carrying contraband cargo,
- Pilot unknown,
- Hit powerline pole during a visual approach by night and fog.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft AT-7 Navigator in Searchlight: 3 killed

Date & Time: Nov 28, 1972 at 0505 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

M. J. Herman

Registration:

N5552V

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

San Luis – Searchlight

MSN:

4761

YOM:

1943

Location:

Searchlight

Nevada

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5700

Circumstances:

The twin engine airplane was engaged in a drug smuggling flight from San Luis, Mexico, carrying marijuana. While approaching Searchlight by night, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck power cables 2,5 miles short of runway. After impact, the airplane lost height and crashed in flames. All three occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Collision with high obstructions after the pilot misjudged distance and altitude on approach. The following factors were reported:
- Poorly planned approach,
- High obstructions,
- Hit powerline tower 125 feet above ground level,
- Transporting marijuana.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in White Mountain Lake: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 18, 1972 at 1445 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft D18

Operator:

Miami Aircraft Ventures

Registration:

N5299C

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

A-538

YOM:

1950

Location:

White Mountain Lake

Arizona

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3000

Circumstances:

While completing a last turn in an attempt to land on a road, the pilot lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed in flames. The pilot, sole on board, was killed. He was involved in an illegal smuggling flight, carrying a load of narcotics.

Probable cause:

The pilot failed to maintain flying speed during the last turn, causing the aircraft to stall and to crash. The following factors were reported:
- Poorly planned approach,
- Low altitude turn to land on road,
- Narcotics on board.

Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed 18 LodeStar in Clarendon: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 11, 1972 at 0130 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N1040E

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lioré-et-Olivier LeO 45 (451-459)

MSN:

2543

YOM:

1943

Location:

Clarendon-Vernamfield

Clarendon

Country:

Jamaica

Region:

Central America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Shortly after a night takeoff from Clarendon-Vernamfield Airport, the twine engine airplane struck trees and crashed in a wooded area. A passenger was killed while two other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Collision with trees during initial climb. The following factors were reported:
- Premature liftoff,
- Takeoff from an unlighted runway by night,
- Yawed left into trees,
- Vast amount of ganja on board.

Final Report:

Crash of a Lioré-et-Olivier LeO 451 in Bordeaux: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jun 19, 1940 at 1730 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew refused to be interned and wanted to continue to fight. As four LeO 45 (n°157, 169, 181 & 190) were parked at Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport, the crew stole one of them to reach the front line. One of the crew took his bicycle with him but as it was not properly stored in the cabin, it shifted rearward upon liftoff, causing the elevator system to be jammed. The pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed in a wooded area just past the runway end, bursting into flames. All four crew members were killed.
Crew:
Sgt Paul Michel Jean-Louis André, pilot,
Adj Jean Baptiste Pierre Lucien Chavy, pilot,
Sgt Jean Georges René Cavalié, mechanic.
Passenger:
Asp François Joseph Jean Jacques Ducreuzet.

Probable cause:

Elevator control jammed.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV into the Thames: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 14, 1940

Type of aircraft:

Bristol 142 Blenheim

Operator:

Registration:

L9207

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The airman was supposed to be guarding the aircraft when he decided to take it for a flight without permission as he failed his pilot's course. After takeoff, he lost control of the airplane that crashed in the Thames estuary. The pilot James Frederick Byng Lewis was killed.

Crash of a Fairey Hendon at RAF Marham

Date & Time: Feb 25, 1938

Type of aircraft:

Fairey Hendon

Operator:

Registration:

K5095

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site: