Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor

The aircraft was on a local flight involving a parachute jumping activity. In addition to the pilot, there were 12 parachutists and an observer on board. The pilot initiated his takeoff on runway 18. A witness stated that shortly after takeoff, the engine power was reduced to climb power, followed by the gear retraction. Reportedly, the aircraft had climbed to about 150 feet agl when the nose pitched up, the plane rolled to the left and then it crashed in a steep left bank, nose down attitude. An investigation revealed that the aircraft was loaded well beyond its maximum gross weight and aft cg limits. The amount of fuel on board was not verified, but even with no fuel, the plane would have been about 580 lbs over the maximum limit. With 100 gallons, the estimated gross weight would have been about 9,939 lbs with the cg at about 121 inches. The maximum certificated gross weight was 8,750 lbs with an aft cg limit of 117.6 inches. Extensive ground fire damage, but no preimpact, mechanical discrepancies evident.

The purpose of the flight was to be a reindoctrination/training flight for the second-in-command. Witnesses observed the aircraft off shore flying parallel to the cliffs approximately 500 feet over the water. The aircraft banked left then right to a 90° right wing low attitude wing-over type maneuver and descend into the ocean off Waimanalo. The aircraft was not recovered. All three occupants were killed.

Crashed in unknown circumstances near Lehigh Acres while engaged in an illegal flight. There were no casualties.

About 18 minutes after takeoff, the pilot radioed that the n°2 engine had lost power and that he was returning to land at Mcallen. While approaching to land, the aircraft crashed in an open field about 400 yards short of the runway and 115 feet right of the approach lights. During impact, the aircraft was in an inverted attitude, in about a 150 degree right roll and 15 degrees nose down. After impact, an intense fire erupted. An examination of the wreckage revealed no preimpact malfunction or failure except that the right propeller blades were set at 65 degrees. The angle of the blades should have been 86 degrees when in the full feathered position. The aircraft was estimated to be 753 lbs over its maximum gross weight limit at the time of the accident. With the gear down and flaps up, the vmc was calculated to be 92 mph with the propeller windmilling and 87 mph with the propeller feathered.

The twin engine airplane departed Honolulu Airport to take part to a local airshow, carrying 11 skydivers and one pilot. While making a turn toward the jump area, the airplane entered a spin. Four occupants parachuted before the airplane crashed in Pearl Harbour. Only one passenger survived the crash and was seriously injured while 11 other occupants were killed. The airplane was destroyed.

While cruising in poor weather conditions on a cargo flight from Barrow to Fairbanks, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed in a wooded and hilly terrain located near a pipeline, in the region of Livengood. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

The aircraft was completing a cargo flight from Yuma to Spokane with an intermediate stop in Beatty, Nevada, and was carrying a load consisting of two tyres and a spare engine. Following several non standard turns in traffic pattern, the twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed. Both occupants were killed.

En route from Hagerstown to Harrisburg, the crew reported engine problems and was cleared to divert to the nearest airport. He eventually decided to attempt an emergency landing in a field near Bermudian Valley Airpark, PA. Both occupants were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

The pilot, sole on board, was completing an illegal flight to Santa Barbara when the airplane crashed in a mountainous area located on the San Clemente Island. The accident occurred in unknown circumstances and the wreckage was found seven months later on September 11, 1981. The pilot was killed. A load of 900 lbs of marijuana was also found in and around the wreckage.

During a night takeoff roll at Abilene Airport in poor weather conditions, the pilot lost control of the airplane that ground looped. The airplane lost its undercarriage and came to a halt on its belly. The pilot, sole on board, was slightly injured.