Crash of a Beechcraft D18S near Lamesa: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 26, 1975 at 2045 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N177V
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
A-133
YOM:
1946
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
2000
Captain / Total hours on type:
150.00
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was completing a flight from Rockyford, Colorado. En route, the failure of the right engine forced the pilot to attempt an emergency landing when he lost control of the airplane that crashed in a sandy area located near Lamesa. The aircraft was destroyed by fire and the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine after the master and connecting rods failed in flight. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Material failure,
- Failed to maintain directional control,
- Right engine failed internally.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed PV-2D Harpoon in Addison

Date & Time: Apr 28, 1975 at 1534 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N230Z
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Addison - Addison
MSN:
15-1603
YOM:
1945
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2178
Captain / Total hours on type:
199.00
Circumstances:
Following a fire control mission, the crew was returning to Addison Airport. On final approach, a malfunction on the left engine forced the crew to feather its propeller when control was lost. The airplane banked left and crashed about 300 yards short of runway threshold. Both pilots were injured while the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Stalled on final approach after the crew failed to follow the approved procedures and failed to maintain flying speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Poorly planned approach,
- The pilot feathered the left propeller due to low level engine oil, proved to be erroneous.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft U-21A Ute in Fort Stockton: 5 killed

Date & Time: Apr 26, 1975 at 1800 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
66-18039
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Fort Stockton - Ford Hood
MSN:
LM-40
YOM:
1967
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Fort Stockton Airport, while in initial climb, the airplane bank left then rolled inverted and crashed in flames about half a mile past the runway end. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control during initial climb following a loss of power on the left engine for undetermined reason.

Crash of a Dassault Falcon 20C at Grand Prairie NAS

Date & Time: Mar 4, 1975 at 0646 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N990L
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Grand Prairie - Washington DC
MSN:
43
YOM:
1966
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
13287
Captain / Total hours on type:
1423.00
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll on runway 17 at Grand Prairie-Hensley Field NAS, the pilot-in-command elected to takeoff but this was impossible due to an incorrect trim setting. As the aircraft unrotated, the crew decided to attempt an emergency braking procedure but the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran runway 17, collided with a fence and eventually came to rest into the Mountain Creek Lake. All five occupants were injured, both pilots seriously.
Probable cause:
Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the crew. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to follow the approved procedures,
- Delayed action in aborting takeoff,
- Incorrect trim setting,
- Wet runway,
- Failed to use the checklist,
- The crew did not check the stab trim prior to takeoff,
- Spoilers and drag chute not deployed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft B60 Duke in Houston: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 21, 1975 at 2130 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N8794R
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Brownsville - Houston
MSN:
P-294
YOM:
1974
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
15060
Captain / Total hours on type:
180.00
Circumstances:
While on a night approach to Houston Airport, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with low clouds and fog. He descended too low until the aircraft collided with ground about two miles short of runway. All three passengers were injured while the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain on final approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Misread instruments or failed to read,
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Limited visibility to 1/2 mile or less,
- Sky obscured,
- Descended into ground about 2 miles short of runway in below minima conditions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Guerra: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 11, 1975
Registration:
N61446
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
31-7405472
YOM:
1974
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
2300
Circumstances:
Crashed in flames in a uninhabited area located near Guerra, Texas. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and the pilot, sole on board, was killed. The wreckage was recovered on June 19, 1975.
Probable cause:
The cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3D in Houston: 5 killed

Date & Time: Feb 1, 1975 at 0858 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N15HC
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tulsa - Lawton - Huntsville
MSN:
43080
YOM:
1946
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
14
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
5000
Captain / Total hours on type:
4100.00
Circumstances:
Weather conditions in Huntsville were poor so the crew decided to divert to Houston-William P. Hobby Intercontinental Airport. The approach was initiated in low visibility due to foggy conditions. On final approach, the airplane struck a 75 feet high electronic tower located two miles short of runway and crashed in a field. Both pilots and three passengers were killed. At the time of the accident, the visibility was a 1/4 mile or less in fog. The charter flight was completed on behalf of Mohawk Airlines.
Probable cause:
Improper in-flight decisions and improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- High obstructions,
- Visibility below minimums,
- Crew fatigue,
- Attempted a combined NDB & surv approach after missed ILS approach below minimums conditions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Carstedt CJ600F Jetliner in Addison

Date & Time: Jan 17, 1975 at 0229 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N1200H
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Memphis - Addison
MSN:
04448
YOM:
1955
Location:
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:
200.00
Circumstances:
During a night approach to Addison Airport, the twin engine airplane descended below the minimum descent altitude when it struck power cables at 36 feet agl then crashed 1,5 mile short of runway threshold. Both pilots were slightly injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Improper IFR operation on part of the crew. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Instruments misread or failed to read,
- Weather below minimums.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 99 Airlines in Galveston: 6 killed

Date & Time: Apr 30, 1974 at 1347 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N853SA
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Galveston - Houston
MSN:
U-41
YOM:
1968
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
6346
Captain / Total hours on type:
129.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Galveston-Scholes Field Airport, while in initial climb at an altitude of 400 feet, the airplane became unstable, lost height then crashed in a field past the south runway end. A pilot and five passengers were killed while six other occupants were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent after takeoff following an inadequate preflight preparation on part of the crew. The following factors were reported:
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Misused or failed to use flaps,
- Gust locks engaged,
- 10 minutes behind schedule,
- Passengers not briefed concerning emergency evacuation procedures,
- Trim stab on standby position,
- No foam available from the fire truck,
- The captain had only three hours flight during last 90 days.
Final Report:

Crash of a Dassault Falcon 20C in Fort Worth

Date & Time: Jan 18, 1974 at 1845 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N7824M
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Montgomery - Fort Worth
MSN:
42
YOM:
1966
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
7400
Captain / Total hours on type:
350.00
Circumstances:
The crew expected to make a straight-in approach but was cleared by ATC to make an ILS circling approach that was completed in rain showers with a tailwind of 8 knots. After touchdown on a wet runway, the crew encountered difficulties to decelerate properly as the airplane suffered hydroplaning. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran and came to rest few dozen yards further. Both pilots were seriously injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Overran runway and collided with a dirt bank after the crew selected the wrong runway relative to existing wind. The following factors were reported:
- Failed to use or incorrectly used miscellaneous equipment,
- Hydroplaning on wet runway,
- Airport conditions: wet runway,
- Rain falls,
- Tail wind from 158 to 202°,
- Cleared for ILS circling approach while the pilot requested a straight in approach,
- Landed normally in heavy rain but failed to deploy the drag chute.
Final Report: