Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Nashville: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 10, 1972 at 0200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N7526
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Detroit - Louisville - Nashville
MSN:
A-995
YOM:
1953
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
1875
Captain / Total hours on type:
50.00
Circumstances:
Upon landing, the twin engine airplane landed hard and bounced. Out of control, it veered off runway and came to rest in flames. A pilot was killed while the second occupant was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
Loss of control upon landing caused by a spontaneous and improper action on part of the copilot who was the pilot-in-command. The following factors were reported:
- Inadequate supervision of flight,
- Poor crew coordination,
- Improper level off,
- Full power recovery from bounced landing,
- Pilot later said that power was for go-around.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Bismarck

Date & Time: Mar 2, 1972 at 2218 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N375C
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Dickinson - Bismarck
MSN:
A-600
YOM:
1951
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5079
Circumstances:
While on a night approach to Bismarck Airport on a cargo flight from Dickinson, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was too low when the twin engine airplane struck power cables, lost height and crashed in an open field located few miles short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Improper IFR operation on part of the pilot who failed to follow the approved procedures. The following factors were reported:
- Instrument misread or failed to read,
- Altimeter setting incorrect,
- High obstructions,
- Hit power cables on VOR approach,
- Altitude setting 30.89 and 30.13 in aircraft while approach transmitted 29.75,
- The pilot was not wearing glasses.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Jackson: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 16, 1972 at 0255 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N80398
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Chicago - Jackson - Detroit
MSN:
A-369
YOM:
1947
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
6566
Circumstances:
Shortly after a night takeoff from Jackson-Reynolds Airport, while in initial climb, the twin engine airplane banked right and crashed in flames. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine during initial climb for undetermined reason. The following factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Failed to obtain/maintain flying speed,
- Airframe ice,
- Icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain,
- Evidence of little power on right engine,
- Observer saw ice on aircraft before and after accident,
- Cargo not secured.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S near Bismarck

Date & Time: Feb 2, 1972 at 0300 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N57CC
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Jamestown - Bismarck
MSN:
A-277
YOM:
1946
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2326
Captain / Total hours on type:
477.00
Circumstances:
While cruising by night on a cargo flight from Jamestown to Bismarck, the pilot, a full time student, fell asleep. Under autopilot, the twin engine airplane continued for a while before sticking a mountain located in the region of Bismarck. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
The accident was caused by the physical impairment of the pilot who fell asleep in flight due to fatigue. The following factors were reported:
- Autopilot ON,
- Altitude hold OFF.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18 in Niterói: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 12, 1971
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
PT-DXS
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
A-152
YOM:
1946
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
While approaching Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont Airport on a cargo flight, the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in Niterói, about 6 km east of the airport. All three occupants were killed.

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S into the Hudson Bay: 5 killed

Date & Time: Aug 19, 1971
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CF-GXT
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
A-740
YOM:
1952
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed in unknown circumstances into the Hudson Bay. Few debris and dead bodies were found a month later. The exact cause of the mishap remains unclear.

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Loreauville: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 1, 1971 at 1630 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N296RB
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Savannah – Lake Charles
MSN:
A-82
YOM:
1946
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
300
Circumstances:
En route from Savannah to Lake Charles, while in cruising altitude, the pilot encountered very bad weather conditions with heavy rain falls and turbulences. In clouds, he lost control of the airplane that entered a dive and crashed in an open field. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the pilot continued under VFR mode into adverse weather conditions. The following factors were reported:
- Spatial disorientation,
- Low ceiling, rain and fog,
- The pilot weather briefing included current sigmet calling for thunderstorms imbedded in weather throughout intended route.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Toledo: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 8, 1971 at 0147 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N74D
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Paducah – Toledo – Detroit
MSN:
A-944
YOM:
1953
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
4000
Captain / Total hours on type:
1500.00
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a cargo flight from Paducah to Detroit with an intermediate stop at Toledo-Express Airport. During the last segment completed by night, due to an improper level off, the crew decided to perform a go-around. While climbing, the twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed in flames near the airport. The airplane was destroyed and both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
Improper level off and inadequate preflight preparation on part of the crew. The following factors were reported:
- Improperly loaded aircraft, weight and CofG,
- Observers saw the aircraft pitch up to an excessive angle on go-around,
- CofG beyond aft limits approximately 5,47 inches.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Sarir

Date & Time: Dec 29, 1970 at 1300 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N5967C
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Sarir - Tobruk
MSN:
A-842
YOM:
1952
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2330
Captain / Total hours on type:
211.00
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll, smoke spread in the cockpit and cabin. The pilot abandoned the takeoff procedure and stopped the airplane onto the runway. All six occupants were able to evacuate the cabin before the aircraft would be totally destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
It is believed that an engine caught fire during takeoff for unknown reason.
Final Report: