Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Youngstown

Date & Time: Apr 10, 1979 at 1442 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N617M
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Flint - Youngstown
MSN:
BA-322
YOM:
1957
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1369
Captain / Total hours on type:
106.00
Circumstances:
For unknown reasons, the twin engine airplane landed hard and bounced. It went out of control and crashed. The pilot, sole on board, was uninjured.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with ground following an improper level off. The following contributing factors were reported.
- Improper recovery from bounced landing,
- Touch and go landing,
- Aircraft porpoised.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith Aerostar 601P) in Columbus: 3 killed

Date & Time: Mar 14, 1979 at 0930 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N8061J
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Logansport - Columbus
MSN:
61-0544-232
YOM:
1978
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
469
Captain / Total hours on type:
82.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Columbus-Ohio State University Airport in clouds, the twin engine airplane stalled and crashed in flames. All three occupants were killed. Icing conditions were forecasted.
Probable cause:
Stall on final approach due to improper in-flight decisions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Airframe ice,
- Icing conditions including sleet, freezing rain,
- Sigmet and airmet warned of icing conditions in clouds above freezing level,
- The aircraft was not certified for flight in known icing conditions.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DH.114 Heron 2 in Cleveland

Date & Time: Dec 18, 1978 at 1431 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N3FB
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Mansfield - Cleveland
MSN:
14111
YOM:
1957
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
15
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3311
Captain / Total hours on type:
908.00
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Mansfield, the crew was cleared to land at Cleveland-Hopkins Airport. After touchdown, while decelerating on runway, the four engine airplane collided with an airport vehicle that was crossing the runway from a position on airport to terminal area. Following the collision, the crew stopped the airplane on runway and all 17 occupants were evacuated safely. The aircraft was however considered as damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Ground collision with airport vehicle after ATC personnel issue improper or conflicting instructions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Driver of vehicle,
- Ground controller cleared airport vehicle from position on airport to terminal area.
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 25 in Vickery: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 20, 1978 at 1033 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N100MK
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Cleveland - Cleveland
MSN:
25-019
YOM:
1968
Location:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
4800
Captain / Total hours on type:
150.00
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Cleveland-Hopkins Airport in the early morning for a training mission consisting of a perfection course for one of the pilot. While cruising at an altitude of 16,500 feet, the airplane went out of control and nosed down to an angle of 60°. It partially disintegrated in the air and eventually crashed in an open field located near Vickery. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all three crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Airframe failure in flight following poor/inadequate design. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Systems - autopilot: servo,
- Material failure,
- Abrupt nose down pitch.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft G18S in Cleveland

Date & Time: Oct 11, 1978 at 2045 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N11Z
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bowling Green - Cleveland
MSN:
BA-510
YOM:
1960
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2673
Captain / Total hours on type:
267.00
Circumstances:
The airplane landed hard on its belly after the pilot forgot to lower the landing gear on approach. Upon touchdown, he decided to initiate a go-around manoeuvre when the cargo shifted as it was not properly secured. The airplane stalled and crashed in flames. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and the pilot, sole on board, was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Hard and wheels-up landing following an improper level off. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- cargo shifted as improperly secured,
- No cargo net or rope found in the cabin,
- First flight in this model.
Final Report:

Crash of a Ford 4 in Put-in-Bay

Date & Time: Jul 1, 1977 at 1346 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N7584
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Put-in-Bay - Port Clinton
MSN:
4-AT-38
YOM:
1928
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3576
Captain / Total hours on type:
879.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff, two of the three engines lost power. The pilot elected to return when the airplane struck power cables and crashed in a field. All three occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure during initial climb due to mismanagement of fuel. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fuel selector positioned between tanks,
- Fuel starvation,
- Failure of two engines,
- Unfavorable wind conditions, gusting to 40 knots,
- Collision with wires/poles.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Springfield: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 3, 1977 at 1626 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N68A
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
BA-229
YOM:
1957
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
318
Captain / Total hours on type:
60.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Springfield Airport, the twin engine airplane became unstable. It lost speed and height then stalled and crashed short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed by fire and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Stall on approach while attempting a go-around procedure. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Delayed in initiating go-around,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Improperly loaded aircraft,
- CofG range 107 to 120.5 inches, computed CofG at time of accident 100.2.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600) in Mansfield

Date & Time: Dec 10, 1975 at 2215 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N12PB
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Elyria – Cincinnati
MSN:
60-0023-41
YOM:
1969
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
4610
Captain / Total hours on type:
392.00
Circumstances:
While cruising by night on a cargo flight from Elyria to Cincinnati, the pilot encountered technical problems with an engine and was cleared to divert to Mansfield-Lahm Airport. While completing a last turn, the airplane stalled and crashed few miles from the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure due to fuel injection system issue. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Foreign material affecting normal operations,
- Engine loaded up,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Misjudged distance and altitude,
- Airport conditions,
- Complete engine failure,
- Rubber diaphragm ruptured,
- Engine flooded,
- Low approach due to wrong visibility cues-upsloping runway,
- Spun during turn.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-35-DL in Wakeman: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 11, 1975 at 1300 LT
Registration:
N144A
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Wakeman - Miami
MSN:
9723
YOM:
1943
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
18000
Captain / Total hours on type:
8000.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Wakeman Airport, while in initial climb, the airplane nosed down, collided with trees and crashed in flames near the airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed and both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control during initial climb for undetermined reasons. The following findings were reported:
- High obstructions,
- Aircraft observed in shallow descent to ground impact,
- High power noted during descent,
- Pilots oxygen masks used,
- No oxygen in the system.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Toledo: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 26, 1975 at 2228 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N791A
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Detroit - Louisville - Paducah
MSN:
BA-103
YOM:
1955
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
6062
Captain / Total hours on type:
2890.00
Circumstances:
While cruising by night on a cargo flight, the crew encountered technical problems and the copilot informed ATC about the failure of an engine. The crew was cleared to divert to Toledo-Express for an emergency landing when, on final approach, the airplane struck power cables and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure following cylinder assembly failure. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fatigue fracture,
- Improper maintenance,
- Unapproved modification,
- Oil exhaustion on engine lubrication system,
- Oil exhaustion on propeller system,
- Fatigue of the cylinder head,
- Standpipe cut off flush with bottom of oil tank.
Final Report: