Crash of a Douglas DC-7CF near Miami: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jun 21, 1973 at 0426 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N296
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Miami - La Romana
MSN:
45466/955
YOM:
1958
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
10000
Captain / Total hours on type:
3000.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1800
Aircraft flight hours:
25827
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a cargo flight from Miami to La Romana on behalf of Warnaco Inc. Shortly after a night takeoff from runway 27L at Miami-Intl Airport, while in initial climb, the crew encountered very bad weather conditions with heavy rain falls and turbulences. The airplane went out of control and crashed nose first in the Everglades National park, about 8,9 NM northwest of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all three crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
The loss of aircraft control, due either to turbulence or an in-flight fire or both. Inability of the crew to establish timely radio communications with the departure controller was a factor, because it delayed compliance with thunderstorm avoidance vectors
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-7CF off San Juan: 5 killed

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1972 at 1923 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N500AE
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Miami - San Juan - Managua
MSN:
45130
YOM:
1957
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
12400
Captain / Total hours on type:
3000.00
Circumstances:
The four engine airplane was engaged in a humanitarian flight from Miami to Managua with an intermediate stop in San Juan, carrying three crew members, two passengers (among them the famous American Baseball player Roberto Clemente aged 38) and various goods for the victims of the recent earthquake in Nicaragua. The crew was cleared to takeoff from runway 08 at 1920LT. After rotation, the crew was instructed to turn to left according to departure procedures. Three minutes after takeoff, while in initial climb by night, the airplane suffered various technical problems, lost height, stalled and crashed into the sea few hundred meters offshore. Some debris were found floating on water and all five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the loss of control was caused by the failure of the engine n°2 and a loss of power on engine n°3. The failure of the engine n°2 was caused by engine structure problems with master and connecting rods, cylinder assembly and piston rings. Investigations also determined that the aircraft was not properly maintained and inspected in accordance with the rules in force. Also, the flight engineer was not qualified for this type of aircraft. The following factors were reported:
- The aircraft was overloaded by 4,193 pounds (1,902 kg),
- Improperly loaded aircraft,
- Powerplant structure,
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection,
- Deficiency in the company maintenance program, violating services regulation,
- Previous damages.

Ground accident of a Douglas DC-7 in Madrid

Date & Time: Oct 2, 1970
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
EC-ATQ
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
45162
YOM:
1957
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Suffered a ground accident at Madrid-Barajas Airport. No casualties.

Crash of a Douglas DC-7CF in Abidjan

Date & Time: Jul 26, 1970 at 1445 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VR-BCT
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Kinshasa – Abidjan – Dakar – Agadir – Basel – Liverpool
MSN:
44875/668
YOM:
1956
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a ferry flight from Kinshasa to Liverpool with several intermediate stops in Abidjan, Dakar, Agadir and Basel. The purpose of the flight was for maintenance as the n°4 engine was inoperative. En route, while cruising on the three remaining engines, the crew informed ATC that the engine n°3 caught fire. While descending to an altitude of 6,000 feet, the engine n°3 exploded and detached. The crew continued the approach but was unable to lower the undercarriage. A belly landing was completed at Abidjan Airport and the airplane slid on several dozen meters before coming to rest. All four crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Fire and explosion on engine n°3 which detached in flight.

Crash of a Douglas DC-7B in Eket: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jun 5, 1969
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
SE-ERP
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Fernando Po - Uli
MSN:
45401/872
YOM:
1957
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Fernando Po (Equatorial Guinea) on a humanitarian flight to Uli, carrying various goods on behalf of the International Red Cross Committee of the Red Cross. While in cruising altitude, the four engine aircraft was shot down by the pilot of a Nigerian Air Force MiG-17 and crashed. All four crew members were killed.

Crash of a Douglas DC-7C in Uli: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 7, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
VR-BCY
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
São Tomé – Uli
MSN:
45545
YOM:
1958
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a cargo flight from São Tomé to Uli on behalf of Caritas. On final approach, the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances few km short of runway and was destroyed. All four occupants were killed. It is believed that one of the engine was inoperative at the time of the accident for unknown reason.

Crash of a Douglas DC-7CF at Cherry Point MCAS

Date & Time: Sep 27, 1968 at 0241 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N7466
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
45090
YOM:
1956
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
14549
Captain / Total hours on type:
2461.00
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a cargo flight to Cherry Point MCAS on behalf of the US Air Force. On final approach by night, the visibility was limited due to foggy conditions. The crew continued the approach below the glide until the airplane struck trees and crashed in flames. All three crew members were injured while the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The accident was probably caused by the combination of the following factors:
- Improper IFR operation,
- The pilot-in-command failed to follow the approved procedures,
- Limited visibility due to low ceiling and fog,
- The pilot did not initiate a go-around when runway was not in sight,
- The copilot did not warn the pilot about weather minimus.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-7BF in Philadelphia

Date & Time: Jul 2, 1968 at 1811 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N762Z
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Norfolk – Philadelphia
MSN:
44922
YOM:
1956
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
19616
Captain / Total hours on type:
7095.00
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a cargo flight from Norfolk to Philadelphia on behalf of the US Air Force. After touchdown on wet runway 09/27 at Philadelphia-Intl Airport, the crew encountered difficulties to decelerate properly. The four engine aircraft suffered hydroplaning then went out of control and veered off runway to the right. While contacting soft ground, the undercarriage collapsed and the right wing was torn off. The airplane came to rest in flames and was destroyed by a post crash fire while all three crew members escaped uninjured.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of the following factors:
- The crew failed to maintain directional control,
- Improper operation of powerplant,
- Asymmetrical thrust reversal,
- Wet runway,
- Hydroplaning,
- Overload failure,
- Asymmetrical power applied during reversing phase of landing due to n° 1 prop circuit breaker deactivated.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-7B in Munich

Date & Time: Jan 20, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
SE-ERC
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Ankara - Munich
MSN:
45088/723
YOM:
1956
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
32
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Upon landing at Munich-Riem Airport, the nose gear collapsed. The airplane slid for several yards before coming to rest. None of the 36 occupants was injured while the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Nose gear collapsed on landing.

Crash of a Douglas DC-7CF in Saigon

Date & Time: Dec 30, 1966 at 1719 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N4059K
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Saigon – Manila
MSN:
44926/695
YOM:
1956
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Saigon-Tan Son Nhat Airport, the right main gear and the nose gear collapsed for unknown reason. The aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. While all four crew members were uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Undercarriage collapsed or 'retraction' during takeoff for undetermined reason.
Final Report: