Crash of a Beechcraft C18 in Charlotte Amalie: 3 killed

Date & Time: Sep 15, 1965 at 1926 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C18S
Operator:
West Indies Airways
Registration:
N8063H
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
8540
YOM:
1945
Location:
Charlotte Amalie-Cyril E. King (ex Harry S. Truman)
All US Virgin Islands
Country:
US Virgin Islands
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
2000
Captain / Total hours on type:
200.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Charlotte Amalie-Harry S. Truman Airport, while climbing, the twin engine aircraft disappeared and crashed in unknown circumstances. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the three occupants was found. It is believed the airplane may have crashed into the sea.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidence, the cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C18S in International Falls

Date & Time: Aug 26, 1965 at 1045 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C18S
Operator:
Riverside Business Flight Service
Registration:
N59550
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
8070
YOM:
1944
Location:
International Falls
Minnesota
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
6000
Captain / Total hours on type:
355.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to International Falls Airport, one of the engine failed. The aircraft lost speed and height then struck trees and crash landed short of runway. All eight occupants were evacuated while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure caused by a fuel exhaustion. Improper in-flight decision and improper IFR operation on part of the crew.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C18S in Cresswell Downs

Date & Time: Aug 12, 1965
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C18S
Operator:
Registration:
VH-CLG
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
4213
YOM:
1942
Location:
Cresswell Downs
Northern Territory
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Upon landing at Cresswell Downs Airstrip, the right wheel separated from its axle and rolled away. The airplane sank on its belly and slid for several yards before coming to rest. All six occupants escaped uninjured while the airplane was damaged beyond repair. Among the passengers were two additional pilots on a positioning flight.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right wheel on landing.

Crash of a Beechcraft C18S in Houston

Date & Time: Jul 18, 1965 at 0845 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C18S
Operator:
Registration:
N445N
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
7858
YOM:
1944
Location:
Houston
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
4500
Captain / Total hours on type:
3000.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff, while in initial climb, one of the engine failed. The pilot reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing. The airplane belly landed in a field and came to rest in flames. All four occupants escaped uninjured while the airplane owned by George J. Darneille was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
Engine failure for undetermined reason.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C18S Expeditor off Marathon

Date & Time: Jul 10, 1965 at 0500 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C18S
Operator:
Registration:
N7871B
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Spraying (Agricultural)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Marathon - Marathon
MSN:
8103
YOM:
1944
Location:
Marathon
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
Captain / Total flying hours:
12800
Captain / Total hours on type:
900.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Marathon Airport, while in initiale climb, both engines failed simultaneously. The aircraft stalled and crashed into the sea few dozen yards off shore. The pilot was uninjured and quickly rescued while the airplane was lost.
Probable cause:
Double engine caused by an inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot. The fuel selector was positioned between tanks.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C18S in Corona del Mar: 9 killed

Date & Time: May 29, 1965 at 0700 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C18S
Operator:
United States Government
Registration:
N9107R
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Government
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
5660
YOM:
1943
Location:
Corona del Mar
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Captain / Total flying hours:
835
Captain / Total hours on type:
20.00
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft was completing a regional flight on behalf of the Department of Commerce. While cruising in cloudy conditions, the airplane adopted a nose down attitude, started an uncontrolled descent and eventually struck power cables before crashing in Corona del Mar. The airplane was totally destroyed and all nine occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent caused by a miscellaneous instrument failure in flight for undetermined reason.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C18S near Sonora: 6 killed

Date & Time: Feb 28, 1965 at 2145 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C18S
Operator:
Registration:
N5974V
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
8076
YOM:
1944
Location:
Sonora
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
2326
Captain / Total hours on type:
13.00
Circumstances:
While cruising by night, the crew apparently lost his sens of orientation. Following a mismanagement of fuel, the airplane went out of control and crashed in an uninhabited area located near Sonora. The wreckage was found on March 3, 1965 and all six occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Disorientation over dark sparcely lighted terrain. Uncontrolled descent apparently caused by a mismanagement of fuel.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C18S in Quitman

Date & Time: Jan 11, 1965 at 1630 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C18S
Operator:
Corn Belt Hatcheries of Arkansas
Registration:
N5881C
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
8704
YOM:
1945
Location:
Quitman
Mississippi
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
Captain / Total flying hours:
18000
Captain / Total hours on type:
145.00
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude, both engines failed simultaneously. The pilot informed ATC about his situation and reduced his altitude in an attempt to make an emergency landing. The airplane belly landed in a field located in Quitman and slid for several yards before coming to rest. The pilot was slightly injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
In-flight failure of both engines for undetermined reason.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C18S in Fairfield: 4 killed

Date & Time: Nov 15, 1964 at 1339 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C18S
Operator:
Jersey State Airline
Registration:
N39Q
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Demonstration
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Fairfield - Fairfield
MSN:
6951
YOM:
1944
Location:
Fairfield-Caldwell Wright-Essex County
New Jersey
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local demo flight at Fairfield-Caldwell Wright-Essex County Airport. On final approach, the captain decided to make a go around for unknown reason. Doing so, the twin engine airplane lost height, struck power cables and crashed in flames short of runway threshold. A pilot was seriously injured while four other occupants were killed.

Crash of a Beechcraft C18S off Bimini

Date & Time: May 19, 1964 at 1153 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C18S
Operator:
Registration:
N8015H
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
8137
YOM:
1945
Location:
Bimini
Bimini
Country:
Bahamas
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1500
Captain / Total hours on type:
100.00
Circumstances:
En route between the Bahamas and Florida, one of the engine failure. The pilot was forced to attempt an emergency landing and eventually ditched the aircraft off Bimini. Both occupants were rescued while the aircraft was lost. It was owned by Barbara Hall.
Probable cause:
In-flight failure of one engine for undetermined reason. The aircraft was ditched.
Final Report:
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