Beechcraft D18

Operator:

Lowery Aircraft Parts

Registration:

N516PA

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

A-763

YOM:

1952

Location:

North Perry

Florida

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

10370

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from North Perry Airport, while in initial climb, the airplane lost height and crashed in flames near the runway end. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and all three occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled collision with ground during initial climb due to inadequate preflight preparation on part of the crew. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improperly loaded aircraft,
- Estimated 150 lbs over max gross weight and approximately 3 inches aft of rear CofG limit at takeoff.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18 in Charleston: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 25, 1979 at 2317 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Wyman Pilot Services

Registration:

N1812D

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Charleston-Yaeger (Kanawha)

Schedule:

Charlotte - Youngstown

MSN:

A-826

YOM:

1952

Location:

West Virginia

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

7928

Captain / Total hours on type:

1800.00

Circumstances:

While in cruising altitude on a cargo flight from Charlotte to Youngstown, the pilot reported engine problems and elected to divert to Charleston-Kanawha Airport for an emergency landing. After being cleared, he initiated the descent when the airplane went out of control and crashed in flames few miles from the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled collision with ground on final approach after the pilot attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper IFR operation,
- Lubricating system: lines, hoses, fitting,
- Oil leak,
- Pilot fatigue,
- Low ceiling,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Pilot departed on last leg of flight despite observing large oil leak,
- Pilot on duty since 0730LT.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18 3NM in Memphis

Date & Time: Feb 23, 1979 at 0040 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Great Western Airlines

Registration:

N12VT

Flight Phase:

Taxiing

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Cedar Rapids - Memphis - Springfield

MSN:

A-780

YOM:

1952

Location:

Memphis

Tennessee

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

7300

Captain / Total hours on type:

120.00

Circumstances:

The pilot, sole on board, was completing a night cargo flight from Cedar Rapids to Springfield with an intermediate stop in Memphis. Cleared by ATC to align on runway for takeoff, the pilot increased engine power and entered the runway when the aircraft was struck by a Federal Express (FedEx) Dassault Falcon 20 registered N36FE that just landed on the same runway. The right wing of the Falcon struck the Beechcraft that caught fire instantly. The crew of the Falcon 20 was able to stop normally and the aircraft was slightly damaged. The Beech 18 was destroyed by fire and its pilot evacuated with minor injuries.

Probable cause:

Ground collision between two aircraft after traffic control personnel issued improper or conflicting instructions.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Kenansville: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 16, 1979 at 2000 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Steele Aviation

Registration:

N80W

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Illegal (smuggling)

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

A-267

YOM:

1946

Location:

Kenansville

Florida

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

310

Circumstances:

While flying at low height by night on an illegal flight, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed in flames. Both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Collision with trees on final approach and subsequent stall and crash after the pilot misjudged altitude and clearance. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Stolen or unauthorized,
- Fire after impact,
- Unauthorized use of aircraft,
- Transporting marijuana.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Flint

Date & Time: Nov 3, 1978 at 0427 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Wyman Pilot Services

Registration:

N80369

Flight Phase:

Taxiing

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Saint Louis - Flint

MSN:

A-157

YOM:

1946

Location:

Flint-Bishop

Michigan

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2391

Captain / Total hours on type:

247.00

Circumstances:

Following a normal landing and braking procedure at Flint-Bishop Airport, while performing a cargo flight from St Louis, the pilot vacated the runway and rolled to the apron with he collided with a parked Piper PA-28-140 registered N54393. The pilot was uninjured while both aircraft were destroyed by a post crash fire.

Probable cause:

Ground collision with a parked aircraft after the pilot failed to see and avoid other aircraft. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Taxied without proper ground assistance,
- Windshield dirty,
- Fog,
- Restricted vision.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in San Juan: 6 killed

Date & Time: Sep 26, 1978 at 1845 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N500L

Flight Phase:

San Juan-Luis Muñoz Marín (Isla Verde)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

City

Schedule:

Aguadilla – San Juan

MSN:

A-415

YOM:

1948

Location:

All Puerto Rico

Country:

Puerto Rico

Region:

Central America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4365

Captain / Total hours on type:

46.00

Circumstances:

On final approach to San Juan-Isla Verde Airport, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed onto several houses located in the district of Barrio Obrero, about 4 km short of runway 10 threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and all six occupants were killed. Few people on the ground were injured.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled descent on final approach due to wake turbulences. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Vortex turbulences,
- Communications and navigation equipment: transmitters and/or receivers malfunction,
- Unable to communicate on terminal radar service area frequency.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Chicago

Date & Time: Aug 8, 1978 at 1957 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N79R

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Janesville - Chicago

MSN:

A-965

YOM:

1953

Location:

Chicago-O'Hare

Illinois

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2524

Captain / Total hours on type:

529.00

Circumstances:

Following an improper level off, the twin engine airplane landed hard, bounced several times and crash landed after the undercarriage collapsed. The pilot, sole on board, was unhurt.

Probable cause:

Gear collapsed upon landing following a hard landing due to improper level off and improper recovery from bounced landing. Overload failure was a contributing factor.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Espinal: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 9, 1978

Type of aircraft:

Lineas Aéreas Orientales (LAOS Colombia)

Operator:

Registration:

HK-2114X

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

A-1011

YOM:

1954

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was performing a cargo flight from Tres Esquinas Airport. In unknown circumstances, the twin engine airplane crashed in the region of Espinal. The wreckage was found in an isolated area and both occupants were killed.

Crash of a Beechcraft D18 in Windsor Locks

Date & Time: Jun 19, 1978 at 2030 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Great Western Airlines

Registration:

N10VT

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Albany – Windsor Locks

MSN:

A-699

YOM:

1952

Location:

Windsor Locks-Bradley

Connecticut

Country:

Region: