Crash of an Antonov AN-24 in Camagüey

Date & Time: Aug 29, 1966
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CU-T875
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Camagüey - Camagüey
MSN:
67302402
YOM:
1966
Country:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training flight at Camagüey Airport. While flying in the vicinity of the airport, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and it was decided to attempt an emergency landing in a field. On touchdown, the left wing was torn off and the airplane came to rest. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina off Highland Park

Date & Time: Aug 27, 1966 at 0935 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N331RS
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
2072
YOM:
1944
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3800
Captain / Total hours on type:
61.00
Circumstances:
The crew was completing landing practices onto Lake Michigan. Upon landing off Highland Park, Illinois, the left pontoon struck an unknown floating object, causing a rupture of the fuselage. The airplane came to rest and sank rapidly. Both pilots were quickly rescued.
Probable cause:
Collision with submerged object. Foreign object damage.
Final Report:

Crash of a Convair CV-880-22M-3 in Tokyo: 5 killed

Date & Time: Aug 26, 1966 at 1428 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
JA8030
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Tokyo - Tokyo
MSN:
22-00-45M
YOM:
1961
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
8446
Captain / Total hours on type:
1265.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
2618
Copilot / Total hours on type:
25
Aircraft flight hours:
5290
Circumstances:
JA8030 started a take-off run on runway 33R of Tokyo International Airport under VFR conditions at approximately 1428 hours with the pilot-in-command Manshichi Harano, examinees Yoshiomi Motouchi and Shuji Daikoku, flight engineer Terumitsu Fujimaki, and Chief Examiner of the Civil Aviation Bureau of Ministry of Transport Yukiaki Kawata, on board for the purpose of conducting a practical examination necessary for change in type rating to Convair 880-22M. About the time the aircraft took a nose-up attitude, it began to yaw left and entered into a right side-slip. At approximately 1 500 m from the runway threshold marking, the right main landing gear started to go off the ground, and while the yaw and side-slip further increased, the under-surface of No. 1 engine began to contact the runway at approximately 1 600 m from the marking. The aircraft continued to side-slip with the nose coming down and deviated from the runway at approximately 1 700 m from the marking. The aircraft moved on the lawn area, crossed taxiway C-4, then while proceeding in the direction of approximately 35O left in reference to the runway bearing, moved the heading to approximately 145O left in reference to the runway bearing, thence yawed right and continued the side-slip. Although the aircraft was in a slight nose-up attitude during this period, it went abruptly into a nose-down and almost at that time a fire started near No. 3 engine. During this period the aircraft further proceeded with the left main landing gear, nose landing gear and Nos. 3, 2, 1 and 4 engines separated in this sequence, and came to a stop at a point approximately 2 100 m from runway 33R threshold marking and approximately 200 m from the runway centre line with a heading of 90° in reference to runway 33L. The fire expanded explosively and the aircraft was damaged by fire or burnt except for the aft fuselage, empennage and a portion of the main wings. All five persons on board died. The flight was performed on behalf of Japan Air Lines.
Probable cause:
The reason for the uncontrollable left yaw was not determined. The following findings were reported:
- No evidence related to the cause of the accident could be found from qualifications, working conditions and others of the flight crew,
- No evidence related to the cause of the accident could be found from investigation of the aircraft wreckage,
- It was recognized that JA 8030 was flown by pilot Daikoku in the left-hand seat,
- It was estimated that the aircraft was taking off with left rudder and right wing down to counteract a cross-wind from the right,
- It was estimated that No. 1 engine was idled around the time VR was reached,
- Although it was estimated that the left rudder was in operation around the time No. 1 engine was idled, it was not clear why and when the rudder came to operation,
- It was estimated that the aircraft was in a right side-slip conditions at the time the tire trace of the right main landing gear started to be marked. It was estimated that, at the time the tire trace of the right main landing gear had disappeared, it became impossible for the crew to counteract by control the rolling moment to the left due to the right side-slip. It is also estimated that the rolling moment produced to a considerable extent resulted from an abrupt increase in side-slip angle due to yawing acceleration after the time the tire trace of the right main landing gear started to be marked.
Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman CS-2A Tracker in Oranjestad: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 26, 1966
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
195
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Oranjestad - Oranjestad
MSN:
23
YOM:
1957
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Shortly after a morning takeoff from Oranjestad-Princess Beatrix Airport, while in initial climb, the twin engine aircraft encountered difficulties to gain height. It struck a kiwi tree then crashed near houses. Two crew members were injured while two others were killed. Few hours later, one of the survivor died from his injuries.
Crew:
Lt E. Ijpma, †
G. Folkerts, †
Lt J. J. Mantel, †
K. Kuik.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 at Santa Lucía AFB: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 17, 1966
Operator:
Registration:
6006
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Santa Lucía - Santa Lucía
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training flight at Santa Lucía Airbase. While flying in the vicinity of the airbase in a limited visibility due to fog, the airplane collided with a Mexican Air Force North American T-28 Trojan registered 793. While the pilot of the Trojan was able to make an emergency landing, the C-47 went out of control and crashed, killing both pilots.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 520 in Gary

Date & Time: Aug 14, 1966 at 1545 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N1914
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Gary - Gary
MSN:
520-122
YOM:
1953
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a local training flight in Gary, Indiana, simulating engine failure. En route, one of the pilot voluntarily cut one of the engine to simulate a failure. After few seconds, he was unable to restart the engine nor to raise the gear and due to an insufficient speed, the airplane stalled and crashed in a gravel pit. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
The crew failed to follow the approved procedures. Improper emergency procedures.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-8-51 in Acapulco: 6 killed

Date & Time: Aug 13, 1966 at 0215 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XA-PEI
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Acapulco - Acapulco
MSN:
45652
YOM:
1962
Country:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
15712
Captain / Total hours on type:
1256.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
13630
Copilot / Total hours on type:
7
Aircraft flight hours:
10030
Circumstances:
After an uneventful scheduled flight from New York, U.S.A. to Acapulco, Mexico, with an intermediate stop at Mexico City, the aircraft arrived at Acapulco International Airport at 0012 hours local time. It was then serviced and refuelled and took off from runway 10 at approximately 0114 hours on a local crew training flight. At about 0150 hours the aircraft reported over the station at 16 000 ft and requested clearance from the tower to carry out a simulated descent. Clearance was granted and the aircraft was instructed to report at 6 000 ft overhead which it did and was seen by the tower controller who then requested it to report on procedure turn. The aircraft reported on procedure turn at 2 500 ft and this was the last message received. At approximately 0215 hours explosions were heard and a fire was reported southeast of the airport. The wreckage was found on the slope of Mt El Salado, about 33 km from Acapulco Airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all six crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Careless and untimely descent in the course of a procedure turn which wan continued below established minimum altitude. The following findings were reported:
- Weather was not a factor in this accident,
- The aircraft was carrying out a simulated descent approach procedure and the desCe2t from 2 500 ft was initiated in the middle of the procedure turn, whereas according to the standard procedure it should have been initiated on completion of the procedure turn when the aircraft was aligned with the runway. The aircraft's descent was continued below the minimum altitude limit until the aircraft struck the ground in a nearly level attitude, slightly banked to the right, with the undercarriage extended and 50° of flaps (instead of the normal 35°),
- No evidence of a malfunction or failure of the aircraft, its engines or equipment, or of a loss of control of the aircraft was found,
- Evidence of complacency in the supervision of the flight was found.
Final Report:

Crash of a Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar in Jacksonville

Date & Time: Jul 16, 1966
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Jacksonville - Jacksonville
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
30
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Jacksonville-Towers Field NAS, while climbing, the crew informed ATC about the failure of the left engine and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. Smoke spread in the cockpit and the cabin so it was decided to abandon the aircraft. All 34 occupants bailed out and the airplane crashed in a field and was destroyed. There were no casualties.
Probable cause:
Failure of the left engine after takeoff.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560E in Parsippany: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 10, 1966 at 1252 LT
Registration:
N3804C
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Morristown - Morristown
MSN:
560-732
YOM:
1959
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
2500
Captain / Total hours on type:
500.00
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training flight from Morristown Airport when, while in cruising altitude, control was lost. The airplane went into a dive and eventually crashed in an open field located near Parsippany. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control in flight after the right wing spar failed because the pilot was doing steep, low altitude maneuvers. Forces exceeded the designed stress limits of the aircraft. Overload failure.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-8-52 in Auckland: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 4, 1966 at 1559 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ZK-NZB
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Auckland - Auckland
MSN:
45751
YOM:
1965
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
17966
Captain / Total hours on type:
497.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4200
Copilot / Total hours on type:
21
Aircraft flight hours:
2275
Circumstances:
The aircraft was making the first take-off of a routine crew training flight at Auckland International Airport, New Zealand. Time of departure was 1559 hours New Zealand Standard Time. All five occupants were seated on the flight deck. Shortly after rotation, the starboard wing dropped, the aircraft failed to accelerate and gain height normally and side-slipped inward until the wing tip struck the ground. The aircraft then cartwheeled clockwise about the nose radome and progressively disintegrated. Initial impact took place 3,865 feet beyond the threshold and 97.5 ft to starboard of runway 23, the active runway. Two crew members were killed and three others were injured. The aircraft was totally destroyed.
Probable cause:
The primary cause of this accident was,the incurrence of reverse thrust during simulated failure of No. 4 engine on take-off. That condition arose when very rapid rearward movement of the power lever (customary only on crew training flights involving simulated engine failure) generated an inertia force which caused the associated thrust brake lever to rise and enter the reverse idle detent. After lift-off, the minimum control speed essentially required to overcome the prevailing state of thrust imbalance was never attained and an uncontrollable roll, accompanied by some degree of yaw and side-slip in the same direction, ensued. When the condition of reverse thrust was recognized and eliminated,insufficient time and height were available to allow the aircraft to recover from its precarious attitude before it struck the ground.
Final Report: