Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II in Brookfield: 4 killed

Date & Time: Feb 19, 1973 at 0751 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II
Operator:
Registration:
N1536T
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
City
Schedule:
Milwaukee - Dayton
MSN:
421B-0306
YOM:
1973
Location:
Brookfield
Wisconsin
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
8389
Captain / Total hours on type:
27.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Milwaukee-Lawrence J. Timmerman Airport, while climbing, the pilot informed ATC about technical problems with the left engine and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. While trying to join the approach path, he lost control of the airplane that crashed in flames on a road located in Brookfield, about five miles southwest of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and all four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure or malfunction during climb to cruise. The following factors were reported:
- Powerplant failure due to fuel injection system obstructed,
- Foreign material affected normal operations,
- The pilot's attention diverted from operation of aircraft,
- The pilot failed to maintain flying speed,
- Low ceiling,
- N°1 cylinder nozzle core on left engine was partially blocked,
- Fuel flow 18 pounds per hour observed spinning.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II in Buffalo: 6 killed

Date & Time: Dec 16, 1972 at 1033 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II
Operator:
Registration:
N121X
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
City
Schedule:
Buffalo - Allentown
MSN:
421B-0166
YOM:
1971
Location:
Buffalo
New York
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
2600
Captain / Total hours on type:
80.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Buffalo Airport, while in initial climb, the left engine lost power. The aircraft banked left, lost height then crashed onto several houses located in the residential area of Cheektowaga, about two miles south of the airport. The airplane was destroyed and all three occupants were killed as well as three people on the ground.
Probable cause:
Engine failure during initial climb. The following factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- The pilot failed to follow the approved procedures,
- Improper operation of powerplant and powerplant controls,
- Fuel system: selector valves,
- Exhaust system: other,
- Ignition system: spark plug,
- Carbon deposit,
- Airframe ice,
- Icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain,
- Snow showers,
- Power loss on left engine,
- Spark plug fouled,
- Possible slow waste gate open,
- Fuel shut off,
- Propeller not feathered.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II near Fort Hancock: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 29, 1972 at 1815 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II
Operator:
Registration:
N5959M
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Corpus Christi - Phoenix
MSN:
421B-0202
YOM:
1971
Location:
Fort Hancock
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
4710
Captain / Total hours on type:
15.00
Circumstances:
While cruising over a mountainous area, the twin engine airplane adopted a slight descent until it struck the slope of a mountain located near Fort Hancock. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor both occupants was found. The wreckage was localized on December 9, 1972, in an isolated area. Both occupants have been killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. It was established that the airplane flew into rising terrain while in a slight descent for undetermined reason.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II in Kalispell

Date & Time: Oct 7, 1972 at 1830 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II
Operator:
Nasco Leasing Company
Registration:
N424WP
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Kalispell - Boulder
MSN:
421B-0143
YOM:
1971
Location:
Kalispell
Montana
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3860
Captain / Total hours on type:
278.00
Circumstances:
Following a long takeoff roll, the pilot-in-command decided to abort. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the twin engine airplane overran and came to rest. While the aircraft was damaged beyond repair, both occupants were uninjured.
Probable cause:
Powerplant for undetermined reason. The following factors were reported:
- The pilot-in-command exercised poor judgment,
- The pilot-in-command failed to abort takeoff,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Partial loss of power on one engine,
- Used all of runway before liftoff,
- No engine malfunction found while pilot stated left engine failed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II in Cleveland: 5 killed

Date & Time: Aug 7, 1972 at 1800 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II
Operator:
Jerrico
Registration:
N123QF
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Cleveland - Lexington
MSN:
421B-0139
YOM:
1971
Location:
Cleveland-Hardwick
Tennessee
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:
8500
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Cleveland-Hardwick Airport, while in initial climb, the right engine lost power. The pilot was cleared to return for an emergency landing and started an immediate turn before trying to feather the right propeller. Due to insufficient speed, the airplane lost height, stalled and crashed, killing all five occupants.
Probable cause:
Loss of power on the right engine during initial climb due to material failure. The following factors were reported:
- Powerplant failure due to master and connecting rods failure,
- The pilot failed to follow the approved procedures,
- The pilot failed to maintain flying speed,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Right engine n°5 cylinder connecting rod bolt failed,
- The pilot tried to return to airport before feathering the right propeller,
- Aircraft near gross weight.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II in Pataskala: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 3, 1972 at 1132 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II
Operator:
Registration:
N5977M
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Ann Arbor - Columbus
MSN:
421B-0220
YOM:
1972
Location:
Pataskala
Ohio
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:
1563
Captain / Total hours on type:
500.00
Circumstances:
While approaching Columbus-John Glenn in marginal weather conditions, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck power cables and trees, stalled and crashed in Pataskala, about 10,5 miles east of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was caused by the incapacitation of the pilot. The following factors were reported:
- Low ceiling and fog,
- The pilot had moderate to severe arteriosclerosis.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II off Boston: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 2, 1972 at 2011 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II
Operator:
Winer Sportswear
Registration:
N456CB
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Boston - Teterboro
MSN:
421B-0112
YOM:
1971
Location:
Boston-Logan
Massachusetts
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
2559
Circumstances:
The pilot initiated the flight in poor weather conditions. After takeoff from Boston-Logan Airport, while climbing in darkness, foggy conditions and rain falls, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed into the Boston harbor. The aircraft sank and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot initiated flight in adverse weather conditions and suffered a spatial disorientation during initial climb. The following factors were reported:
- Low ceiling and fog,
- Visibility below minimums,
- Took off in near zero zero conditions.
Final Report:
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