Crash of a Cessna 402B in Alexandria: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 19, 1978 at 2250 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
Registration:
N87143
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Saint Louis - Alexandria - Grand Forks
MSN:
402B-1001
YOM:
1975
Location:
Alexandria
Minnesota
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
1460
Captain / Total hours on type:
30.00
Circumstances:
While on a night approach to Alexandria-Municipal Airport in foggy conditions, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed. The pilot was killed and the passenger was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees during a missed approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fog,
- Low ceiling,
- Visibility 3 miles or less.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402B in Trenton: 4 killed

Date & Time: May 16, 1978 at 2210 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
Registration:
N98720
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Bangor - Trenton
MSN:
402B-1065
YOM:
1976
Location:
Trenton
Maine
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
7866
Captain / Total hours on type:
2365.00
Circumstances:
While on a night approach to Trenton Airport, one of the engine failed. The crew decided to initiate a go-around when the airplane stalled and crashed in flames few miles short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and all four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure on final approach for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper IFR operation,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Failed to retract landing gear,
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Fog,
- PIC not determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402A in Malakal: 4 killed

Date & Time: Apr 28, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
National Agricultural Organisation
Registration:
ST-ADK
Flight Type:
Government
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
402A-0119
YOM:
1969
Location:
Malakal
Upper Nile (أعالي النيل)
Country:
South Sudan
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances at Malakal Airport. Four occupants were killed, three others were injured.

Crash of a Cessna 402B off Apia: 10 killed

Date & Time: Apr 27, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
Registration:
N3SP
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Pago Pago - Apia
MSN:
402B-0930
YOM:
1975
Location:
Apia-Fagali'i
All Samoa Islands
Country:
Samoa Islands (Western Samoa)
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
On approach to Apia-Fagali'l Airport, the twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed into the sea few km offshore. All 10 occupants were killed.

Crash of a Cessna 402B in Gävle: 4 killed

Date & Time: Feb 13, 1978 at 2210 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
Aero Center
Registration:
SE-GGR
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Stockholm - Gävle
MSN:
402B-0840
YOM:
1975
Location:
Gävle
Gästrikland
Country:
Sweden
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Stockholm-Bromma on a charter flight to Gävle, carrying three passengers and a crew of two. On approach to Gävle Airport, the crew encountered low visibility due to the night and snow falls. On final, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck tree tops and crashed in a wooded area located 5 km south of the airfield. SAR operations were initiated but the wreckage was found the following morning at 0900LT. A passenger survived and was evacuated to local hospital while four other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The crew failed to follow the published procedures for an NDB approach to Gävle Airport. Limited visibility caused by night and snow was considered as a contributing factor.

Crash of a Cessna 402B in Greensboro: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 6, 1978 at 1520 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
Registration:
N69284
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Gulfport – Winston-Salem – Raleigh
MSN:
402B-0407
YOM:
1973
Location:
Greensboro
North Carolina
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
7408
Captain / Total hours on type:
540.00
Circumstances:
While approaching Winston-Salem Airport, the pilot informed ATC about engine problems. Shortly later, the twin engine airplane went out of control, entered a dive and crashed in flames in a field located in Greensboro. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Stalled and spiraled while descending to Winston-Salem Airport due to foreign material affecting normal operations. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Ice in fuel,
- Fuel starvation,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Failure of both engines.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402B in Tuscaloosa: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 1, 1978 at 2022 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
Dixie Air
Registration:
N8210Q
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Montgomery - Tuscaloosa
MSN:
402B-0390
YOM:
1973
Location:
Tuscaloosa
Alabama
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
7000
Captain / Total hours on type:
1500.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Tuscaloosa Airport by night, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck trees and crashed few hundred yards short of runway 04 threshold. The pilot was seriously injured while the passenger was killed.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees and undershoot on final approach after the pilot misjudged distance and altitude. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Rain,
- Fog,
- High obstructions,
- Visibility 3 miles or less,
- Drizzle,
- Runway 04 also has sequential flasher and steady burner type approach lights.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402A in Leutkirch-Untezeil: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jan 3, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
Märkische Luftfahrtgesellschaft
Registration:
D-IMLG
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
402A-0011
YOM:
1969
Location:
Leutkirch-Unterzeil
Baden-Württemberg
Country:
Germany
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
On final approach to Leutkirch-Unterzeil Airport, the pilot encountered poor visibility due to foggy conditions when the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed in a wooded area located close to the airfield. A passenger was seriously injured while four other occupants were killed.

Crash of a Cessna 402B in Mercer: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 28, 1977 at 0758 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
Sky Line Flying Services
Registration:
N69338
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Buffalo - Beaver Falls
MSN:
402B-0447
YOM:
1973
Location:
Mercer
Pennsylvania
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
4789
Captain / Total hours on type:
454.00
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude on a cargo flight from Buffalo to Beaver Falls, the twin engine airplane suffered an fire/explosion. It lost height and crashed in a corn field located near Mercer. The aircraft was totally destroyed upon impact and both crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Fire or explosion in flight due to inadequate inspection of aircraft by maintenance personnel. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Powerplant - exhaust system: manifold fatigue fracture,
- Fuel system: lines and fittings leakage,
- Excessive temperature,
- Fire in wing,
- High obstructions,
- Manifold couple P/N085072-39 3 inches crack permitted exhaust gas into wing onto leaking fuel valve.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402A in Yates City: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 13, 1977 at 2015 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
Registration:
N4554Q
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Yates City - Macomb
MSN:
402A-0054
YOM:
1979
Location:
Yates City
Illinois
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Crashed under unknown circumstances shortly after takeoff from Yates City Airport. All three occupants were killed.
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