Crash of a Beechcraft U-21D Ute at Yakima-Vagabond AAF

Date & Time: Jan 17, 1991
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
67-18121
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Yakima - Yakima
MSN:
LM-117
YOM:
1967
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training mission at Yakima-Vagabond AAF. On final approach, the crew shut down the left engine to simulate a failure when the aircraft rolled to the left, lost height and crashed about 500 yards short of runway threshold. Both pilots were injured.

Crash of a Beechcraft U-21A Ute in Independence: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 20, 1987 at 1228 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
67-18061
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Anniston - Fort Leavenworth
MSN:
LM-62
YOM:
1967
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
4196
Captain / Total hours on type:
217.00
Circumstances:
The two aircraft, a Beech U-21A and a Piper PA-31-350, collided nearly head on at 7,000 feet msl over Independence, MO. In daylight VMC conditions with a visibility of 20 miles. The U-21 was in level cruise and the PA-31 was climbing eastbound to an undisclosed altitude enroute to Saint Louis. Both aircraft were equipped with operating mode-c transponders but the controller in contact with the U-21 did not observe the conflict and traffic advisories were not provided. The PA-31 was operating in accordance with visual flight rules. The U-21 was operating in accordance with instrument flight rules. After the collision both aircraft crashed in uncontrolled descent. There was no indication that either aircraft took any evasive action. The conflict alert subprogram of the ARTS III tracking system was not programmed to alert the controllers to the impending collision and the two controllers did not observe any target in the vicinity of the data block representing the U-21. All six occupants in both aircraft were killed.
Probable cause:
The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the accident was the failure of the radar controllers to detect the conflict and to issue traffic advisories or a safety alert to the flightcrew of the U-21; deficiencies of the see and avoid concept as a primary means of collision avoidance; and the lack of automated redundancy in the air traffic control system to provide conflict detection between participating and nonparticipating aircraft.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft RU-21A Ute off Athens

Date & Time: Jul 24, 1985 at 1900 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
67-18112
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Aviano - Athens
MSN:
LM-108
YOM:
1967
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On approach to Athens-Ellinikon Airport, the crew encountered unknown technical problems and was forced to ditch the aircraft some 21 km off the Greek coast. All three occupants were quickly rescued while the aircraft broke in two and sank.
Probable cause:
Forced landing following unknown technical problems.

Crash of a Beechcraft U-21A Ute at Davison AAF: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 12, 1984 at 0648 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
67-18062
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Simmons - Davison
MSN:
LM-63
YOM:
1967
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
On final approach to Davison AAF, the crew encountered foggy conditions and failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the aircraft struck trees and crashed in a wooded area. All four occupants were killed.
Crew:
Cw3 Richard N. Blunt, pilot,
Cw2 John D. Hensley, copilot.
Passengers:
Ltc James E. Palmer,
Msg William Reeves.

Crash of a Beechcraft U-21D Ute at Fort Sill AFB

Date & Time: Mar 30, 1981 at 1300 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
67-18106
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Fort Sill - Fort Sill
MSN:
LM-102
YOM:
1967
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances at Fort Sill AFB while performing a local training flight. Both pilots escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Beechcraft U-21A Ute near Sinop: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 20, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
66-18011
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Istanbul - Sinop
MSN:
LM-12
YOM:
1967
Flight number:
Ashak 011
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The airplane was performing a flight from Istanbul to Sinop under call sign Ashak 011. While descending to Sinop Airport in poor weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft struck the slope of a snow covered mountain located near the Black Sea coast. All five occupants were killed.
Crew:
Cw3 James D. Thompson, pilot,
Maj Tommy R. Smith, copilot.
Passengers:
Pvt Walter J. Penchikowski,
Maj Paul G. Schlude,
Maj James R. Smith.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the crew lost control of the aircraft following an in-flight engine failure.

Crash of a Beechcraft U-21A Ute in the Cook Inlet: 7 killed

Date & Time: Feb 10, 1977
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
67-18081
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Elmendorf - King Salmon
MSN:
LM-81
YOM:
1967
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Elmendorf AFB, while cruising in IMC conditions, the crew contacted ATC and requested the permission to obtain a higher level of flight. Shortly later, the airplane went out of control and crashed in the Cook Inlet. Intensive SAR operations were conducted but no trace of the airplane nor the seven occupants was ever found.
Crew:
Cpt Donald W. Deeter, pilot,
CW3 Ralph G. Battle, pilot,
Passengers:
SP4 Paul E. Jones,
Ltc William I. Barrett Jr.,
Ltc John S. Edge,
Maj James W. Nelson,
Maj Melvin J. Swiney.

Crash of a Beechcraft U-21A Ute in Fort Stockton: 5 killed

Date & Time: Apr 26, 1975 at 1800 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
66-18039
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Fort Stockton - Ford Hood
MSN:
LM-40
YOM:
1967
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Fort Stockton Airport, while in initial climb, the airplane bank left then rolled inverted and crashed in flames about half a mile past the runway end. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control during initial climb following a loss of power on the left engine for undetermined reason.