Crash of a Cessna 414 Chancellor in Sturgis: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 25, 1972 at 1110 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N8168Q
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Sturgis - Sturgis
MSN:
414-0068
YOM:
1970
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
2067
Captain / Total hours on type:
1727.00
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training flight at Sturgis-Kirsch Airport, Michigan. On final approach, the twin engine airplane stalled and crashed few miles short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot-in-command failed to maintain flying speed, causing the aircraft to stall.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 690 in Wellsburg: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 14, 1972 at 1010 LT
Registration:
N1NR
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Pittsburgh – Wheeling
MSN:
690-11024
YOM:
1972
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
5507
Captain / Total hours on type:
7.00
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a training mission from Pittsburgh to Wheeling. While cruising at an altitude of 5,000 feet, the crew decided to perform several stalls when control was lost. The airplane entered a dive and crashed in flames in an open field located near Wellsburg. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control in stall maneuver for unknown reason. Control not recovered before impact.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-9-14 in Fort Worth: 4 killed

Date & Time: May 30, 1972 at 0724 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N3305L
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Fort Worth - Fort Worth
MSN:
45700/11
YOM:
1965
Flight number:
DL9570
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
6220
Captain / Total hours on type:
845.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
7800
Copilot / Total hours on type:
450
Aircraft flight hours:
18998
Circumstances:
The crew (three company pilots and a FAA pilot) were completing a local training flight at Fort Worth-Greater Southwest (Amon Carter Field) Airport. Following a normal approach to runway 13, the airplane passed over the threshold when it rolled left and right, causing the right wing struck the runway surface. Out of control, the airplane rolled to the right and crashed in flames. All four crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
An encounter with a trailing vortex generated by a preceding "heavy" jet which resulted in an involuntary loss of control of the airplane during final approach. Although cautioned to expect turbulence the crew did not have sufficient information to evaluate accurately the hazard or the possible location of the vortex. Existing FAA procedures for controlling VFR flight did not provide the same protection from a vortex encounter as was provided to flights being given radar vectors in either IFR or VFR conditions.
Final Report:

Crash of an Antonov AN-12AP in Panevėžys: 6 killed

Date & Time: May 26, 1972
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
2 4 010 03
YOM:
1962
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a training mission with other similar aircraft. While cruising by night in marginal weather conditions, the crew lost visual contact with the leader. While trying to regain contact, the airplane lost height then struck the ground and crashed in a field. The flight engineer was injured while six other crew members were killed.

Crash of a Beechcraft 18 Expeditor 3TM in Van Nuys: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 13, 1972 at 1650 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N6674
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Van Nuys - Van Nuys
MSN:
A-762
YOM:
1952
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
875
Captain / Total hours on type:
37.00
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Van Nuys Airport, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed in flames onto a hangar. The aircraft was destroyed as well as two other airplanes, a Beechcraft 35 registered N5312E and a Beechcraft 23 registered N2380L. All three occupants were killed. No one on the ground was injured.
Probable cause:
The pilot failed to maintain directional control and failed to abort takeoff. The following factors were reported:
- Unfavorable wind conditions,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- No weather briefing received (no record),
- The pilot reported to have about an hour dual in type.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing B-52G-110-BW Stratofortress at Griffiss AFB

Date & Time: May 8, 1972
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
59-2574
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Griffiss - Griffiss
MSN:
464337
YOM:
1959
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While in a low level rout one of the engines on the left side of the aircraft malfunctioned and became uncontrollable and was shut down. Hours later on final approach to Griffiss, in a driving rainstorm at night, the copilot, following the checklist turned on the starter switches for all the engines including the one that had been shut down. The shutdown engine that was now wind milling somewhere in the descent reignited and started to increase to max power. The pilots were unaware of this. As the aircraft flared out over the runway with the engine heading toward max power and the landing gear barely touching the ground the aircraft was unable to slow down to engage the brakes. The drag shut was released but failed to deploy. Unable to stop the pilot elected to go-around and increased power…but then made the decision there was not enough runways remaining and cut back the power and announced to the crew that they were going of off the end of the runway. The impact resulted in the aircraft breaking in half just behind the crew compartment and skidding down the embankment with the outboard run-away engine still running as the gear, and AGM 28 Missiles were sheared off. The Boeing reprehensive stated that most likely the only reason the aircraft did not explode on impact was due to the mud caused by the heavy rain. All crew members survived.
Source: ASN
Probable cause:
The official cause of the accident was listed as hydroplaning.

Crash of an Avro 696 Shackleton at RAF Lossiemouth

Date & Time: Apr 7, 1972
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
WR967
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Lossiemouth - Lossiemouth
YOM:
1954
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
For unknown reason, the airplane landed hard and was considered as damaged beyond repair and retired from service. All seven crew airman were uninjured.

Crash of a Boeing B-52D-80-BO Stratofortress at McCoy AFB: 8 killed

Date & Time: Mar 31, 1972 at 1120 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
56-0625
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
McCoy - McCoy
MSN:
17308
YOM:
1956
Flight number:
SIR 21
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training flight at McCoy AFB, Orlando, Florida. En route, a fire erupted on engine n°7 and the captain decided to return to McCoy AFB for an emergency landing. On final approach to runway 18R, the airplane went out of control and crashed in flames onto several houses located one mile north of the airfield. The aircraft and four houses were totally destroyed and all seven crew members were killed. On ground, eight people were seriously injured, among them seven children. Three days after the accident, Anthony Ellington aged 10 died from his injuries.
Crew:
Cpt Wendell W. Campbell, pilot,
Cpt Barry E. Applebee, copilot,
1st Lt Robert Heatherly, navigator,
Lt Col George P. Gamache, navigator,
Maj James J. Hammons,
Maj William E. Kesler,
M/Sgt Allen H. Murray.
Probable cause:
Engine failure and fire for unknown reason.

Crash of a Douglas C-47D in Lake Charles: 4 killed

Date & Time: Mar 24, 1972
Operator:
Registration:
44-77228
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Lake Charles - Lake Charles
MSN:
16812/33560
YOM:
1945
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a local training flight at Lake Charles Airport. After completing several touch-and-go maneuvers, the airplane approached the airport when it landed very hard. Out of control, it veered off runway to the left then crashed into a covered concourse, the roof of which was about the same height of the windshield of the aircraft. All four crew members were killed. They were based at England AFB.
Probable cause:
The investigation was thorough, with extensive interviews, and it was determined that the accident was the consequence of a pilot error.

Crash of a Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanker at Carswell AFB: 5 killed

Date & Time: Mar 13, 1972
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
58-0048
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Carswell - Carswell
MSN:
17793/263
YOM:
1959
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training flight at Carswell AFB. During the last segment, while trying to land, the right wing dropped and struck the runway surface. The airplane went out of control, cartwheeled and crashed in flames, killing all five crew members.