Crash of a Beechcraft 65-80 Queen Air in Mobile: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 27, 1978 at 1640 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 80 Queen Air
Operator:
Solaqueen
Registration:
N975SQ
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Houston - Mobile
MSN:
LD-78
YOM:
1963
Location:
Mobile-Bates Field
Alabama
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:
3572
Captain / Total hours on type:
2150.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Mobile-Bates Field, the pilot was advised by tower that the landing gear were up. The pilot initiated a go-around and made a steep slow climb during which he lowered the gear. The aircraft stalled and crashed in flames. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Stall during a go-around after the pilot failed to maintain flying speed. the following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Failed to extend landing gear,
- Delayed in initiating go-around,
- Powerplant-instruments: fuel pressure gauge leak,
- Fumes in cabin.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-A80 Queen Air in Saint John's: 10 killed

Date & Time: Jun 23, 1978 at 0915 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 80 Queen Air
Operator:
Gander Aviation
Registration:
C-GGAL
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Saint John's - Saint Anthony
MSN:
LD-233
YOM:
1965
Location:
Saint John's
Newfoundland & Labrador
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from St John's Airport, while in initial climb, the twin engine airplane struck tree tops and crashed on the slope of Mt Picco's Ridge located near Portugal Cove, about six km west of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all 10 occupants were killed.
Crew:
Gerald Eichel, pilot,
Michael Fitzpatrick, copilot.
Passengers:
Bill Manning,
Marc Laterreur,
B. Napier Simpson Jr.,
Robert Painchaud,
Jules Leger,
Jacqueline Leger,
Brenda Babbits,
Alex Babbits.
Source: www.planecrashgirl.ca

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-A80 Queen Air in Mexico City: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jun 16, 1978 at 1630 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 80 Queen Air
Operator:
Registration:
XB-ABG
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
City
Schedule:
Tampico – Mexico City – Martinez de la Torre
Location:
Mexico City-Benito Juarez
Federal District of Mexico City
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was performing an executive flight from Tampico to Martinez de la Torre, Veracruz, with an intermediate stop in Mexico City. On final approach, one of the engine apparently failed. The airplane lost height, struck antennas and the roofs of several houses before crashing in flames in the district of Jardín Balbuena, about 3 km short of runway 05. One of the occupant survived while five others were killed.
Crew:
Jorge Azcárraga, pilot,
Mario Vértiz, copilot.
Passengers:
Mario Bairón,
J. Haele,
Enrique Silva,
Javier Ortiz.
Probable cause:
Engine failure for undetermined reasons.

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-B80 Queen Air off Songkhla: 6 killed

Date & Time: Apr 30, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 80 Queen Air
Operator:
Registration:
04676
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
LD-440
YOM:
1971
Location:
Songkhla
Songkhla (สงขลา)
Country:
Thailand
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Songkhla Airport, while climbing, the twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed into Songkhla Lake. All six occupants were killed.

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-A80 Queen Air near Indian Harbor

Date & Time: Mar 27, 1978 at 2000 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 80 Queen Air
Operator:
Lisle Aircraft
Registration:
N28BL
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
LD-256
YOM:
1966
Location:
Indian Harbor
Newfoundland & Labrador
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The pilot declared an emergency following an in-flight fire. The airplane crash landed in a frozen lake located near Indian Harbor, east coast of Newfoundland. The pilot, sole on board, escaped uninjured while the aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Engine failure in flight following a possible collision with object.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65 Queen Air in Tortola

Date & Time: Feb 6, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 80 Queen Air
Operator:
Transcommuter Airlines
Registration:
N40SB
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
LC-48
YOM:
1960
Location:
Tortola-Terrance B. Lettsome
All British Virgin Islands
Country:
British Virgin Islands
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed upon landing at Tortola Airport for unknown reasons. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-80 Queen Air near Vancleave: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 13, 1977 at 1046 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 80 Queen Air
Operator:
Ralph Scotts
Registration:
N6DG
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Gulfport - Mobile
MSN:
LD-5
YOM:
1962
Location:
Vancleave
Mississippi
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
18417
Captain / Total hours on type:
35.00
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude, the twin engine airplane went out of control, entered a spin and eventually crashed in flames near Vancleave. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure and fire in normal cruise due to a crankshaft failure. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fatigue fracture,
- Fire in engine,
- Lubricating system: tubing,
- Leakage,
- Fire in brakes, wheel assembly, wheel well,
- Separation in flight,
- Crankshaft s/n 21772 failed due to fatigue cracks at #5 connecting rod throw.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-B80 Queen Air off Ponce

Date & Time: Jul 12, 1977 at 1130 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 80 Queen Air
Operator:
Hollywood Flying Service
Registration:
N99JL
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Great Inagua - Christiansted
MSN:
LD-277
YOM:
1966
Location:
Ponce
All Puerto Rico
Country:
Puerto Rico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
10000
Captain / Total hours on type:
20.00
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was completing a pleasure flight from Great Inagua Island to Christiansted, US Virgin Island. While flying along the south coast of Puerto Rico, he contacted ATC and declared an emergency after both engines failed simultaneously. He reduced his altitude then ditched the aircraft about 32 miles southeast of Ponce VOR. The pilot was rescued while the aircraft sank and was lost.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure in flight for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Attempted operation with know deficiencies in equipment,
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection,
- Failure of two engines,
- Forced landing off airport on water,
- Both fuel flowmeters,
- Left engine alternator inoperative,
- Wet comp 20-30° error.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-B80 Queen Air in Yopal

Date & Time: Apr 2, 1977
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 80 Queen Air
Operator:
Registration:
HK-1067X
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
LD-442
YOM:
1971
Location:
Yopal
Casanare
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances, injuring both pilots who were completing a cargo flight.

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-80 Queen Air in Lake Placid

Date & Time: Aug 15, 1976 at 2120 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 80 Queen Air
Operator:
Registration:
N345X
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
LD-141
YOM:
1963
Location:
Lake Placid
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On approach to Lake Placid by night, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck trees and crashed. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was injured. He was completing a contraband flight. At the time of the accident, the airport was unlit.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees during a traffic pattern-circling approach by night. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Misjudged distance and altitude,
- Hauling contraband,
- Circling unlit airport at night.
Final Report:
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