Crash of a Grumman G-44 Widgeon near Cordova: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 31, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Grumman G-44 Widgeon
Operator:
C. R. Morse
Registration:
N444W
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Cordova - Juneau
MSN:
1450
YOM:
1944
Location:
Cordova
Alaska
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:
While cruising unde VFR mode in poor weather conditions, the pilot lost control of the seaplane that entered a dive and crashed in flames in an isolated area located in the region of Cordova. SAR operations were initiated but eventually suspended as no trace of the aircraft nor the three occupants was found. The wreckage was eventually localized on May 21, 1979.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent and ground collision after the pilot initiated flight in adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Continued VFR flight in adverse weather conditions,
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Snow,
- Icing conditions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-44 Widgeon in Kodiak

Date & Time: Oct 6, 1973 at 0705 LT
Type of aircraft:
Grumman G-44 Widgeon
Operator:
Registration:
N176MS
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Kodiak - Afognak Lake
MSN:
1324
YOM:
1943
Location:
Kodiak
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1690
Captain / Total hours on type:
45.00
Circumstances:
The pilot attempted to takeoff from Kodiak in a limited visibility due to fog. At mid-runway, he realized that another pilot entered the runway so he pulled on the control column to rotate. The twin engine airplane lifted off but due to an insufficient speed, it stalled and crashed in a lake past the runway end. All seven occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. At the time of the accident, the visibility was very poor due to fog.
Probable cause:
The pilot made an evasive maneuver to avoid collision. The following factors were reported:
- Airport conditions: hidden hazard,
- Premature liftoff,
- Failed to obtain flying speed,
- Pilot off other aircraft,
- Vision obstructed by 80 feet rise in elevation at mid-runway,
- Unable to see taxiing aircraft on runway.
Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-44 Widgeon in Auckland: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 24, 1970 at 0744 LT
Type of aircraft:
Grumman G-44 Widgeon
Operator:
Registration:
ZK-BAY
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cinematography
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Mechanics Bay - Mechanics Bay
MSN:
1362
YOM:
1944
Location:
Auckland
Auckland Council
Country:
New Zealand
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Pilot Roger Poole was taking a TV news crew of three to film a burning 8.5m launch near Browns Island. After circling the launch and landing nearby, the floatplane took off and circled to the right at low level. It straighten out as if to return to base at Mechanics Bay, but then banked steeply to the right, the turn becoming near vertical. The nose dropped and it crashed into the sea, killing all four aboard.
Probable cause:
The investigation found the float near the wingtip could obscure filming, but for a better camera angle the aircraft could be flown with the right rudder to skid around the nose, with opposite aileron to counteract any rolling effect. The pilots view to the right was obstructed by the camera operator, he was flying into the early morning sun, and the artificial horizon was switched off and locked, all of which prevented him realising the dangerous angle until too late.

Crash of a Grumman G-44 Widgeon on Sanak Island

Date & Time: Dec 15, 1968 at 1310 LT
Type of aircraft:
Grumman G-44 Widgeon
Operator:
Registration:
N148M
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
1220
YOM:
1942
Location:
Sanak Island
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
11500
Captain / Total hours on type:
3000.00
Circumstances:
While taking off from a lagoon off Sanak Island, the airplane failed to get airborne, struck the shore and crashed. All four occupants were injured, two of them seriously. The aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
The accident was probably caused by the combination of the following factors:
- The pilot failed to obtain/maintain flying speed,
- Sudden windshift,
- Quartering tailwind up to 30 knots,
- The pilot attempted to takeoff from a lagoon at low tide.
Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-44 Widgeon in Helsinki: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 28, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Grumman G-44 Widgeon
Operator:
Takuuvalmiste
Registration:
OH-GWA
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
1367
YOM:
1944
Location:
Helsinki-Malmi
Uusimaa
Country:
Finland
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Helsinki-Malmi Airport, while in initial climb, the airplane stalled and crashed in a huge explosion. Both crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the total weight of the aircraft was well above the MTOW.

Crash of a Grumman G-44A Widgeon off Lafitte: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 24, 1968 at 1806 LT
Type of aircraft:
Grumman G-44 Widgeon
Operator:
Registration:
N41982
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
1413
YOM:
1944
Location:
Lafitte
Louisiana
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:
6468
Captain / Total hours on type:
533.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Lafitte, south Louisiana, the amphibian aircraft went through a thunderstorm area and encountered severe turbulences. Control was lost and the airplane crashed into the bayou of Rigolettes. The pilot, sole on board, was killed. The aircraft was owned by J. Ray McDermot.
Probable cause:
Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot who continued under VFR mode in adverse weather conditions. He encountered turbulences associated with clouds and/or thunderstorm activity.
Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-44 Widgeon in Fort William

Date & Time: Oct 14, 1966 at 1211 LT
Type of aircraft:
Grumman G-44 Widgeon
Operator:
Registration:
N1173V
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
1345
YOM:
1943
Location:
Thunder Bay
Ontario
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
6000
Captain / Total hours on type:
800.00
Circumstances:
Crashed shortly after takeoff from Fort William-Lakehead Airport, Ontario. Both passengers were injured while the pilote was unhurt.
Probable cause:
Poor flight preparation on part of the crew.
Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-44 Widgeon in Kendallville

Date & Time: Jul 31, 1966 at 1500 LT
Type of aircraft:
Grumman G-44 Widgeon
Operator:
ABC Service
Registration:
N132X
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Kendallville - Kendallville
MSN:
1210
YOM:
1942
Location:
Kendallville
Indiana
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
862
Captain / Total hours on type:
101.00
Circumstances:
The airplane was engaged in a local pleasure flight in the region of Kendallville. Following an uneventful flight, the pilot returned to Kendallville when, on touchdown, the airplane bounced, stalled and crashed. All five occupants were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Improper level off and improper recovery from bounced landing on part of the pilot.
Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-44 Widgeon off Lagos

Date & Time: Nov 25, 1965 at 1905 LT
Type of aircraft:
Grumman G-44 Widgeon
Operator:
Registration:
N37187
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
1237
YOM:
1942
Location:
Lagos
Lagos
Country:
Nigeria
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
4000
Captain / Total hours on type:
30.00
Circumstances:
While flying along the coast, one of the engine failed. The pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed into the sea off Lagos. The pilot was seriously injured while the aircraft sank and was lost.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the engine failure could not be determined.
Final Report:
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