Crash of a Cessna 402A in Le Pin-la-Garenne: 10 killed

Date & Time: Feb 13, 1970 at 2030 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
Avia-Taxi
Registration:
F-BPJA
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Saint-Nazaire - Paris
MSN:
402-0100
YOM:
1967
Location:
Le Pin-la-Garenne
Orne
Country:
France
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft was returning to Paris-Le Bourget on a taxi flight, carrying nine industrialists based in Paris. Just passing over Alençon, the pilot encountered very bad weather conditions with heavy snow falls and icing conditions. He informed ATC about technical problems, stated he was unable to maintain control and requested assistance to divert to the nearest airport. Less than a minute later, the airplane struck a tree and crashed in a field located just outside Le Pin-la-Garenne. The airplane was totally destroyed and all 10 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control caused by an excessive accumulation of ice on wings and fuselage. Probable engine problems due to carburetor icing. Very bad weather conditions.

Crash of a Cessna 402A on Mt McKinley: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 24, 1969 at 1815 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
Registration:
N4524Q
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Anchorage - Kantishna
MSN:
402A-0024
YOM:
1969
Location:
Mt McKinley
Alaska
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:
8340
Captain / Total hours on type:
40.00
Circumstances:
The pilot departed Anchorage on a survey flight to Kantishna, taking part to a SAR mission after a helicopter was missing. On approach to Mt McKinley, the airplane went out of control and crashed onto a slope of the the mountain. The wreckage was found a day later and the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
The aircraft stalled in flight because de pilot failed to maintain flying speed. The following findings were reported:
- Downdrafts,
- Flaps found extended to 30°,
- Wind gusting up to 20 knots.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402 in Allentown: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 7, 1968 at 0457 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
Jet Set Aviation
Registration:
N8419F
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Location:
Allentown-Lehigh Valley (Bethlehem-Easton)
Pennsylvania
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:
1181
Captain / Total hours on type:
92.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Allentown Airport, while on a night cargo flight, the twin engine airplane became unstable, went into a spin and crashed short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was probably caused by the combination of the following factors:
- Inadequate preflight preparation and/or planning,
- Improperly loaded aircraft-weight and/or CofG,
- The cargo shifted during final approach, resulting in pitch and lateral control problems,
- Witnesses stated that the cargo net was not used,
- Aircraft CofG caused stall when power was reduced for emergency landing.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402 in Paducah

Date & Time: Sep 17, 1968 at 1955 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
Registration:
N3259Q
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Postal (mail)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Location:
Paducah
Kentucky
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1684
Captain / Total hours on type:
210.00
Circumstances:
Just after liftoff, the twin engine airplane encountered difficulties to gain height. It nosed down and struck the runway surface with its propellers. Out of control, it veered off runway and came to rest in flames. The passenger was slightly injured while both pilots were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The probable cause of the accident was an improper operation of flight controls on part of the pilot who failed to obtain/maintain flying speed during takeoff. An improper angle of climb allowed the props to contact the runway surface.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402 in Beverly: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 20, 1968 at 0028 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
Far Airlines
Registration:
N4090Q
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
402-0190
YOM:
1968
Location:
Beverly
West Virginia
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:
1671
Captain / Total hours on type:
193.00
Circumstances:
While cruising by night, the crew encountered poor visibility due to fog. At ant insufficient altitude, the twin engine aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located near Beverly. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was the probable consequence of the following factors:
- Improper flight decision,
- Controlled flight into terrain.
Final Report:
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