Crash of a Rockwell Sabreliner 60 in Lancaster: 3 killed

Date & Time: Dec 27, 1974 at 2005 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N920G
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Denver - Lancaster
MSN:
306-74
YOM:
1974
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
15105
Captain / Total hours on type:
367.00
Circumstances:
While on a night approach to Lancaster-Fairfield County Airport, the crew failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the airplane struck tree tops and crashed in a wooded area located few miles short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and all three crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Improper IFR operation on part of the crew who disregard of good operating practice. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation and/or planning,
- High obstructions,
- Non-standard approach in night-instrument conditions,
- Flew into mountain.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II in Mount Vernon

Date & Time: Dec 1, 1974 at 1730 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N3368Q
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Mount Vernon - Cincinnati
MSN:
421B-0252
YOM:
1972
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
4030
Captain / Total hours on type:
250.00
Circumstances:
The takeoff was attempted from a runway contaminated with snow windrows. During takeoff roll, the twin engine airplane was unstable and the pilot decided to lift off prematurely. The aircraft stalled then collided with a snow bank and crashed in flames. All four occupants were injured, two of them seriously.
Probable cause:
Stall during initial climb after the pilot failed to maintain directional control. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to abort takeoff,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Premature lift off,
- Snow on runway,
- Snow windrows.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Hillsboro

Date & Time: Jul 9, 1974 at 2056 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N193CP
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Hillsboro - Pontiac
MSN:
A-830
YOM:
1952
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
10500
Captain / Total hours on type:
3500.00
Circumstances:
While rotating at Hillsboro-Highland County Airport, the pilot decided to abandon the takeoff procedure and initiated an emergency braking maneuver. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the twin engine airplane overran, collided with trees and came to rest in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was injured.
Probable cause:
Engine malfunction during takeoff run due to inadequate maintenance and inspection. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Trees,
- Failure of the ignition system: magnetos,
- Improper alignment,
- Delayed action in aborting takeoff,
- Improper operation of flight controls,
- Rough terrain,
- High obstructions,
- Became airborne during abort.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing B-52H-135-BW Stratofortress at Wright-Patterson AFB

Date & Time: May 30, 1974
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
60-0006
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Wright-Patterson - Wright-Patterson
MSN:
464372
YOM:
1960
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training flight at Wright-Patterson AFB. On final approach, the airplane went out of control and crashed in a field. All seven crew members were rescued while the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control on final approach after rudder and elevators failed.

Crash of a Piper PA-31P Pressurized Navajo in Willoughby: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jan 25, 1974 at 1850 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N7672L
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Canton - Detroit - Willoughby
MSN:
31-7300154
YOM:
1973
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
4951
Captain / Total hours on type:
29.00
Circumstances:
While approaching Willoughby-Cuyahoga County Airport by night, one of the propeller oversped. The pilot lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed onto a house located few miles short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and all four occupants were killed. Two people leaving in the house were also killed. Those killed in the plane were the pilot Elmer Holomok Jr. and the passengers Charles Kinzig and Mr. & Mrs. Cecil Kopperman. Those killed in the house were Mr. & Mrs. John Macek.
Probable cause:
Loss of control on final following a propeller failure. The following factors were reported:
- Improper operation of powerplant & powerplant controls,
- Inadequate inspection of aircraft on part of the maintenance personnel,
- Inadequate inspection of aircraft on part of the pilot/owner,
- Failure of propeller and accessories,
- RPM uncontrollable and overspeed,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Suspected mechanical discrepancy,
- Schrader valve cap and stem were missing,
- No aircharge in cylinder.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-9-31 in Akron

Date & Time: Nov 27, 1973 at 2129 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N8967E
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Miami - Pittsburgh - Akron
MSN:
47267/361
YOM:
1968
Flight number:
EA300
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
21
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
10881
Captain / Total hours on type:
736.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
7000
Copilot / Total hours on type:
23
Aircraft flight hours:
15615
Circumstances:
The crew started the approach to Akron-Canton Airport by night and marginal weather conditions. The approach speed was too high and the airplane was also too high and the glide so the crew landed 2,400 feet to far down the runway 01. After touchdown on a wet runway, the airplane was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran and came to rest. All 26 occupants were evacuated, 15 of them were injured. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The captain's decision to complete the landing at an excessive airspeed and at a distance too far down a wet runway to permit the safe stopping of the aircraft. Factors which contributed to the accident were:
- Lack of airspeed awareness during the final portion of the approach,
- An erroneous indication of the speed command indicator,
- Hydroplaning.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601) in Raymond: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 3, 1973 at 1930 LT
Registration:
N7430S
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Albany - Tulsa
MSN:
61-0015
YOM:
1968
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
1234
Captain / Total hours on type:
57.00
Circumstances:
On a flight from Albany to Tulsa, while cruising in marginal weather conditions, the twin engine airplane went out of control and entered a dive until it crashed in an open field located in Raymond, Ohio. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control and uncontrolled descent for undetermined reason. The following factors were reported:
- Low ceiling, rain and fog,
- No dual check-out.02 system empty,
- Top clouds to 10,000 feet,
- Aircraft intact until impact.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65A-80 Queen Air in Cincinnati: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 25, 1973 at 0438 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N6875Q
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Cincinnati - Salina
MSN:
LD-191
YOM:
1964
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
1500
Captain / Total hours on type:
40.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after a night takeoff from Cincinnati-Lunken Field Airport, while in initial climb in foggy conditions, the airplane rolled to the left. The pilot elected to regain control when the airplane struck trees and crashed in the Miami River. The pilot and a passenger were killed while a second passenger was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Loss of control after takeoff due to several errors on part of the pilot. The following factors were reported:
- Premature liftoff,
- Spatial disorientation,
- Failed to maintain directional control,
- Failed to obtain flying speed,
- Low ceiling and fog,
- Limited visibility,
- Drifted left after takeoff then rolled into trees.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S off Cleveland: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 20, 1973
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N1900R
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Cleveland - Detroit
MSN:
BA-25
YOM:
1955
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
22000
Captain / Total hours on type:
1000.00
Circumstances:
Crashed into Lake Erie en route from Cleveland to Detroit. The wreckage was never found.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanger in Columbus: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 8, 1973
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
63-7989
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Columbus - Columbus
MSN:
18606/645
YOM:
1963
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The aircraft was engaged in a training mission and was taxing from an unlit ramp towards the runway when it collided with a second USAF KC-135 registered 63-7980. The airplane continued for about 200 yards before coming to rest in flames on a grassy area. Three crew members were injured while two others were killed. The aircraft was partially destroyed by fire.