Texas

Country:

Region:

Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

750

Captain / Total hours on type:

20.00

Circumstances:

Few minutes after takeoff from Kerrville Airport, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with low ceiling, rain falls and fog. While cruising in clouds, the pilot suffered a spatial disorientation and lost control of the airplane that entered a dive. During the descent, the left wing detached and the airplane crashed in an open field. The airplane was destroyed upon impact and both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Loss of control after the pilot suffered a spatial disorientation in flight. The following factors were reported:
- Exceeded designed stress limits of aircraft,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Overload failure,
- Low ceiling, rain and fog.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45H Expeditor in Dallas: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 26, 1973 at 1254 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Tricon Airlines

Registration:

N118X

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Dallas - Beaumont

MSN:

AF-876

YOM:

1954

Location:

Dallas-Love Field

Country:

Region:

Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2050

Captain / Total hours on type:

165.00

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Dallas-Love Field Airport, while climbing, the pilot informed ATC about serious problems and elected to return for an emergency landing. He was cleared to do so and completed a turn to rejoin the airport when he lost control of the airplane that crashed onto several houses by the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed. There were no injuries on the ground.

Probable cause:

Stall and spin during traffic pattern circling after the pilot failed to maintain flying speed. The following factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Improperly loaded aircraft and CofG,
- Suspected mechanical discrepancy,
- CofG 8.9 inches after the rear limit.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45H Expeditor in Waco

Date & Time: Dec 20, 1973 at 2026 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Tricon Airlines

Registration:

N2122

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Waco - Dallas

MSN:

AF-480

YOM:

1953

Location:

Waco

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3116

Captain / Total hours on type:

930.00

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Waco-Madison Cooper Airport, while climbing, the pilot encountered technical problems and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. Few seconds later, he lost control of the airplane that crashed few miles from the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was seriously injured.

Probable cause:

The pilot failed to maintain flying speed during initial climb. The following factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Improperly loaded aircraft and CofG,
- Pilot reported after takeoff he would have to return and land,
- CofG 3.38 inches after the rear limit.

Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed 18-56LodeStar in Pecos: 3 killed

Date & Time: Sep 4, 1973 at 0554 LT

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed 18 LodeStar

Operator:

Oliver B. Cannon & Sons

Registration:

N669M

Flight Phase:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

2591

YOM:

1943

Location:

Pecos

Country:

Region:

Landing (descent or approach)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3290

Captain / Total hours on type:

13.00

Circumstances:

During the takeoff roll at Pecos Airport, the pilot lost control of the airplane swerved and eventually crashed. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and all three occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

The pilot failed to maintain directional control during takeoff. The following factors were reported:
- Attempted operation beyond experience and ability level,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Exceeded design stress limits of aircraft,
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Exercised poor judgment.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Longview: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 31, 1973 at 0200 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft E18

Operator:

Registration:

N73JB

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Dallas - Longview

MSN:

BA-218

YOM:

1956

Location:

Longview

Country:

Region:

Rockwell Aero Commander 560

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5600

Captain / Total hours on type:

2600.00

Circumstances:

On final approach to Longview Airport by night, the pilot encountered marginal weather conditions with limited visibility. On final, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed in flames 1,75 mile short of runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.

Probable cause:

Collision with trees on final approach after the pilot misjudged distance and altitude. The following factors were reported:
- High obstructions,
- Pilot fatigue,
- Hit trees 32 feet agl 1,75 mile from airport,
- Pilot had landing lights on and gear down.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560A in Belton

Date & Time: May 26, 1973 at 1400 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N2269B

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Killeen - Killeen

MSN:

560A-263

YOM:

1955

Location:

Belton

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

440

Captain / Total hours on type:

30.00

Circumstances:

The crew was completing a local training flight out from Killeen Airport. While cruising at a relative low altitude, the right engine failed. The pilot-in-command elected to make an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed in an open field located in Belton. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and all three occupants escaped uninjured.

Probable cause:

Failure of the right engine in flight for undetermined reason. The following factors were reported:
- Improper operation of powerplant,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Intentional wheels-up landing,
- Rough terrain,
- The pilot did not apply adequate power to left engine after failure of the right engine.

Final Report:

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-55-CK Commando at Ellington AFB

Date & Time: May 10, 1973 at 1509 LT

Type of aircraft:

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Operator:

Joel Guinn

Registration:

N446M

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Ellington - Miami

MSN:

133

YOM:

1944

Location:

Ellington AFB (Houston)

Country:

Region:

Landing (descent or approach)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Ellington AFB, while climbing, the crew informed ATC about technical problems with the right engine and elected to return for an emergency landing. The captain realized this was not possible and attempted an emergency landing along the I-45 highway. The airplane belly landed and slid for several yards before coming to rest. While both pilots escaped uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

The right propeller oversped, forcing the crew to attempt an emergency landing. The following factors were reported:
- Powerplant propeller and accessories,
- Foreign materials affecting normal operations,
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection,
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Improperly loaded aircraft,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Intentional wheels-up landing,
- Suspected or known aircraft damage,
- Right propeller oversped, metal chips, feathered,
- Overweight by 1,129 pounds,
- Unlower gear normal system,
- Hit wires.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C18S in Cleveland

Date & Time: Apr 28, 1973 at 1730 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft C18S

Operator:

Gary D. Lewis

Registration:

N6417C

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Skydiving / Paratroopers

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Cleveland - Cleveland

MSN:

5549

YOM:

1943

Location:

Cleveland

Country:

Region:

Landing (descent or approach)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1676

Captain / Total hours on type:

103.00

Circumstances:

Following a local skydiving mission, the pilot was returning to Cleveland Airport. On final approach, both engines failed due to fuel exhaustion. The airplane lost height and while avoiding power cables, the pilot lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed in an open field. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot was injured.

Probable cause:

Failure of both engines due to fuel exhaustion. The following factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Fuel exhaustion,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Evasive manoeuvre to avoid collision,
- High obstructions,
- Complete engine failure on both engines,
- Pilot had to maneuver to avoid power lines on final approach.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-B80 Queen Air in Kent: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 29, 1972 at 1645 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft 80 Queen Air

Operator:

Registration:

N9867

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

San Antonio - Kent

MSN:

LD-114

YOM:

1963

Location:

Kent-J. D. Ranch Strip

Country:

Region: