Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor

Operator:

Registration:

N9929Z

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Ferry

Survivors:

Site:

Milwaukee-General Billy Mitchell

Schedule:

Kenosha - Milwaukee

MSN:

AF-868

YOM:

1954

Location:

Wisconsin

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5454

Captain / Total hours on type:

1575.00

Circumstances:

On approach to Milwaukee-General Billy Mitchell Airport by night and marginal weather conditions, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the twin engine airplane struck approach lights. It lost height, struck a fence and came to rest near the runway threshold. The pilot, sole on board, was injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Undershoot and collision with approach lights on final approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Incorrect altimeter setting,
- Misjudged distance and altitude,
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Fog,
- Altitude found at setting that would cause aircraft to be 180 feet lower than indicated.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45H Expeditor in Sonoma: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 16, 1977 at 0400 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

John D. Fonseca

Registration:

N9497Z

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

AF-390

YOM:

1953

Location:

Sonoma-Skypark

California

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1000

Circumstances:

While descending to Sonoma-Skypark by night and low clouds, the twin engine airplane stalled and crashed. Both occupants were killed. A witness at airport heard the aircraft flying low over hanger, turning south, engines surge then silence. At the time of the accident, the visibility was 2 miles or less.

Probable cause:

Stall during traffic pattern-circling after the pilot failed to maintain flying speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Attempted operation beyond experience/ability level,
- Exercised poor judgment,
- Low ceiling.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45H Expeditor in Lanseria

Date & Time: Dec 23, 1976

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

African Overland Safaris

Registration:

A2-AOS

Flight Phase:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Lanseria - Gaborone

MSN:

AF-609

YOM:

1954

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Just after liftoff from Lanseria Airport, the twin engine airplane sank back onto the runway. It slid on its belly and came to rest. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45H Expeditor in West Palm Beach: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 15, 1976 at 0410 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Open Air International

Registration:

N3505G

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

AF-370

YOM:

1953

Location:

West Palm Beach

Florida

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

790

Circumstances:

While taking off from an unlighted grass strip by night, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed in flames. Both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Collision with trees during initial climb after the pilot failed to maintain directional control.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45G Expeditor in Detroit: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 9, 1976 at 1846 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N34CB

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Detroit-City (Coleman A. Young)

Schedule:

Detroit - Dayton

MSN:

AF-384

YOM:

1951

Location:

Michigan

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

11763

Captain / Total hours on type:

5000.00

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Detroit-City Airport, the twin engine airplane encountered difficulties to gain height. It struck power cables, stalled and crashed. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Engine malfunction during initial climb. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Collision with wires/poles,
- Improper operation of powerplant and powerplant controls,
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Fuel starvation,
- High obstructions,
- Foreign object damage,
- Both propellers feathered,
- Left fuel selector OFF position,
- Foreign object damage on right engine impeller,
- Fuel system different from other company aircraft.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45G Expeditor in Lafayette: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 3, 1976 at 0542 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N3329G

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Lafayette - Patterson

MSN:

AF-267

YOM:

1953

Location:

Lafayette-Paul Fournet

Louisiana

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2875

Captain / Total hours on type:

520.00

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Lafayette Regional Airport, while climbing by night, the airplane lost height, struck trees and crashed in a swamp. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed. Weather conditions were marginal at the time of the accidents with fog.

Probable cause:

Collision with trees during initial climb due to inadequate preflight preparation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Initiated flight in adverse weather conditions,
- Improper operation of flight controls,
- Improperly loaded aircraft, CofG,
- Cargo shifted,
- Aircraft came to rest in water,
- Fog,
- Entered unknown thin layer of fog,
- Did not update weather.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft TC-45G Expeditor in El Vado

Date & Time: Jan 10, 1976

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N9907Z

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Illegal (smuggling)

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

AF-105

YOM:

1952

Location:

El Vado

New Mexico

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After landing on a snow covered runway, the twin engine airplane ground looped, hit a barrel and came to rest. The aircraft was set afire and destroyed and the pilot disappeared. Transport of contraband.

Probable cause:

Ground looped after the pilot failed to maintain directional control on a snow covered runway. Illegal flight.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft UC-45B Expeditor 3T off Pickle Lake

Date & Time: Oct 8, 1975

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

CF-RMZ

Flight Phase:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

5780

YOM:

1943

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While landing on rough water at Pickle Lake, the seaplane struck waves. The float dug into water and the airplane overturned and came to rest upside down. All occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45H Expeditor in Tulsa: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 2, 1975 at 0004 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Southern Aviation - USA

Registration:

N9911Z

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Lawton - Tulsa - Kansas City

MSN:

AF-476

YOM:

1953

Location:

Tulsa

Oklahoma

Country:

Region: