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Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in McAllen: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 18, 1976 at 1453 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft D18
Operator:
William R. Draper
Registration:
N5302U
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Test
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
McAllen - McAllen
MSN:
A-401
YOM:
1947
Location:
McAllen
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
20000
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was engaged in a local post maintenance test flight. During the takeoff roll, the airplane went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest in flames. A technician was killed while four other occupants were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Fear retracted during takeoff run after being improperly installed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Landing gear: switches, levers, cranking mechanism,
- Improper maintenance,
- Test hop due previous gear malfunction,
- Gear control switch improperly wired.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II in Follett: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 29, 1976 at 1005 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II
Operator:
Stilwell Aircraft Service
Registration:
N71HG
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Albuquerque - Gage - Tahlequah
MSN:
421B-0136
YOM:
1971
Location:
Follett-Lipscomb County
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
1000
Captain / Total hours on type:
100.00
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was completing a flight from Albuquerque to Tahlequah, Oklahoma, with an intermediate stop in Gage. En route, the left engine lost power and the pilot elected to divert to Follett-Lipscomb County Airport. On approach, the airplane stalled and crashed in flames in a prairie. The pilot was killed and all three passengers were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Engine malfunction during normal cruise and stall on initial approach due to insufficient speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection,
- Lubricating system,
- Oil exhaustion,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Improper IFR operation,
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Fog.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560 in Henderson

Date & Time: Apr 25, 1976 at 1322 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 560
Operator:
Registration:
N2713B
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Monroeville – Mansfield – Ennis
MSN:
560-213
YOM:
1955
Location:
Henderson
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
11252
Captain / Total hours on type:
59.00
Circumstances:
While in normal cruise, both engines stopped. The pilot reduced his altitude and completed a belly landing in an open field located near Henderson. Two passengers were seriously injured while four other occupants were slightly injured. The aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure due to fuel exhaustion. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Intentional wheels-up,
- Fuel quantity gauge erratic,
- Rough terrain.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402B in Giddings: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 23, 1976 at 2145 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
Registration:
N69314
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Austin - Houston
MSN:
402B-0431
YOM:
1973
Location:
Giddings
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
5495
Circumstances:
En route by night from Austin to Houston, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions and decided to continue. Later, the twin engine airplane struck tree tops and crashed near Giddings. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees in normal cruise due to improper in-flight decisions on part of the pilot. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions,
- High obstructions,
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Thunderstorm activity,
- Flew into known poor weather conditions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Shafter

Date & Time: Mar 6, 1976
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft E18
Operator:
Swift Air Charter
Registration:
N4277B
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Desert
MSN:
BA-80
YOM:
1955
Location:
Shafter
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5000
Captain / Total hours on type:
3500.00
Circumstances:
En route to Pontiac, Michigan, the pilot encountered technical problems with the engines that stopped almost simultaneously. He completed a intentional wheels-up landing in a desert area located in Shafter and the twin engine airplane came to rest after sliding for few dozen yards. While the airplane was damaged beyond repair, both occupants escaped uninjured.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure caused by a fuel starvation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Intentional wheels-up,
- Fuel system,
- Unapproved modification,
- Rough terrain,
- Three 80 gallons tanks installed in fuselage.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Texas: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 28, 1975
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft E18
Operator:
Lee R. Griffith
Registration:
N5657D
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
BA-407
YOM:
1959
Location:
Texas
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
7940
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Dallas in the day and was lost without trace somewhere in Texas. SAR operations were initiated but eventually suspended after few days as no trace of the aircraft nor both occupants was found.
Probable cause:
As the wreckage was not found, the cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 401 in Austin: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 19, 1975 at 0801 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 401
Operator:
Registration:
N4004Q
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Dallas - Austin
MSN:
401-0104
YOM:
1968
Location:
Austin-Robert Mueller
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
705
Captain / Total hours on type:
65.00
Circumstances:
While approaching Austin-Robert Mueller Airport runway 12R in a cloud base at 500 feet, the twin engine airplane stalled and crashed in flames onto a house located few miles from the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed. There were no casualties on the ground.
Probable cause:
Stall on final approach because the pilot failed to maintain flying speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Attempted operation beyond experience/ability level,
- Improper IFR operation,
- Low ceiling,
- Unqualified person operated aircraft,
- Pilot had no solo time in type of aircraft,
- Two previous approaches completed.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-6A Catalina in Harlingen: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 18, 1975 at 1310 LT
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
N15KL
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Test
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Harlingen - Harlingen
MSN:
2070
YOM:
1944
Location:
Harlingen-Valley Intl
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
2200
Circumstances:
Following several technical modifications, among them the replacement of the right engine carburetor, the crew was in charge to conduct a post maintenance test flight. After takeoff, the right engine failed. The right propeller was not feathered and the aircraft stalled and crashed. Three crew members were killed while two others were injured.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine after takeoff for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The crew failed to follow the approved procedures,
- The crew failed to maintain flying speed,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Propeller unfeathered, gear down.
Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-159 Gulfstream I in Addison

Date & Time: Jul 11, 1975 at 2355 LT
Type of aircraft:
Grumman G-159 Gulfstream I
Operator:
Registration:
N71CR
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Cedar Rapids - Addison
MSN:
163
YOM:
1965
Location:
Addison
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
10705
Captain / Total hours on type:
6982.00
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Cedar Rapids, the crew started the descent to Addison by night. On short final, he encountered heavy rain falls and the pilot initiated a go-around when the airplane descended and crashed onto the runway. All nine occupants escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
On short final, the airplane encountered windshear and sudden windshift and crashed onto the runway.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S near Claude: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 28, 1975 at 2222 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft E18
Operator:
Registration:
N29N
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Postal (mail)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Amarillo - Dallas
MSN:
BA-304
YOM:
1957
Location:
Claude
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
6423
Captain / Total hours on type:
1425.00
Circumstances:
While on a night mail flight from Amarillo to Dallas-Fort Worth Airport, the pilot encountered very bad weather conditions. The aircraft descended into ground in an area of extremely violent weather and crashed in a mountainous area located near Claude. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the pilot was found. The wreckage was discovered on 29 August 1975 in an isolated area. The aircraft was totally destroyed and the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Instruments misread or failed to read,
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Thunderstorm activity,
- Visibility limited to half a mile or less,
- Haze.
Final Report:
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