Crash of a Cessna 402 in Ponta de Pedras: 9 killed

Date & Time: Oct 31, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
Taxi Aéreo Kovacs
Registration:
PT-JXL
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Belém - Almeirim
Location:
Ponta de Pedras
Pará
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Belém-Júlio Cesar Ribeiro Airport on a taxi flight to Almeirim, carrying one pilot and eight passengers for the Brazilian company Embratel. Few minutes after takeoff, the pilot informed ATC about engine problems and elected to divert to Abaetetuba Airport for an emergency landing. But shortly later, the airplane went out of control and crashed in a huge explosion near Ponta de Pedras, about 45 km west of Belém. All nine occupants were killed.

Crash of a Cessna 402 in North Bay: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 28, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
Registration:
C-FAUK
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Location:
North Bay
Ontario
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
On final approach to North Bay Airport by night, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed in a wooded area located 1,6 km short of runway. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Crash of a Cessna 402B near Hyder

Date & Time: Sep 7, 1978 at 1323 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
Registration:
N7866Q
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Desert
Schedule:
Yuma - Phoenix
MSN:
402B-0116
YOM:
1971
Location:
Hyder
Arizona
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
8289
Captain / Total hours on type:
2622.00
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude on a flight from Yuma to Phoenix, the left engine caught fire after the exhaust pipe separated in flight. The pilot reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing in a desert area located near Hyder, AZ. The airplane crash landed and came to rest in flames. It was destroyed while both occupants escaped with minor injuries.
Probable cause:
Engine fire in flight due to improper maintenance. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Powerplant failure: exhaust system,
- Excessive vibration and then separation of exhaust pipe due to fatigue fracture,
- Fire in engine,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Bolt connecting ball joint on left engine right side found missing.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402B in Opuwo

Date & Time: Aug 16, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
Registration:
ZS-JDD
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
402B-0862
YOM:
1975
Location:
Opuwo
Kunene Region
Country:
Namibia
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While taking off from runway 03/21 at Opuwo Airstrip, the twin engine airplane stalled and crashed. All three occupants were injured and the airplane was written off.

Crash of a Cessna 402B in Indianapolis

Date & Time: Jul 28, 1978 at 1219 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
W. J. Medical Consulting
Registration:
N4167G
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Indianapolis - Morristown
MSN:
402B-1214
YOM:
1976
Location:
Indianapolis-Regional
Indiana
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5259
Captain / Total hours on type:
87.00
Circumstances:
During the takeoff run, the pilot decided to abort for unknown reason. The twin engine airplane was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran, went through a fence and came to rest. Both occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
Collision with fence posts after an aborted takeoff for unknown reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Spontaneous improper action,
- Delayed action in aborting takeoff,
- PIlot's decision to abort unknown.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402B near Tarija: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jul 1, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
Registration:
FAB-012
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
402B-0211
YOM:
1972
Location:
Tarija
Tarija
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
While cruising in marginal weather conditions, the twin engine airplane struck the slope of a mountain located in the region of Tarija. All four occupants were killed.

Crash of a Cessna 402 in Pottstown: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jun 22, 1978 at 1040 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
Uwe M. Buehl
Registration:
N8283F
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Pottstown - Chicago
MSN:
402-0245
YOM:
1980
Location:
Pottstown-Limerick-Heritage Field
Pennsylvania
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
303
Captain / Total hours on type:
40.00
Circumstances:
Just after liftoff from Pottstown-Limerick Airfield, while in initial climb, one of the engine failed. The pilot lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed in flames. All five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Stall during initial climb due to engine failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons,
- Failed to abort takeoff,
- Failed to retract landing gear,
- Failed to maintain flying speed.
Final Report:

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.
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