Crash of a Lockheed 18-56-23 LodeStar in Brunswick

Date & Time: Jul 24, 1979 at 1600 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 18 LodeStar
Operator:
Wiregrass Aviation
Registration:
N33LM
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Rockmart - Brunswick
MSN:
2341
YOM:
1943
Location:
Brunswick-Golden Isles (Glynco Jetport)
Georgia
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:
11500
Captain / Total hours on type:
85.00
Circumstances:
Upon landing at Brunswick-Glynco Jetport Airport, the twin engine airplane bounced. The gear collapsed and the airplane went out of control and came to rest on its belly. All three occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Ground loop/swerve and subsequent gear collapsed upon landing due to improper recovery from bounced landing and improper operation of brakes and flight controls. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Overload failure,
- Pilot-in-command previously held commercial mel and agricultural operator certificates.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed 18 LodeStar in Tampico: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 20, 1979 at 1905 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 18 LodeStar
Operator:
South Central Aviation
Registration:
N48RM
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Belize City – Tampico – McAllen
MSN:
2282
YOM:
1942
Location:
Tampico-General Francisco Javier Mina
Tamaulipas
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was completing a cargo flight from Belize City to McAllen, Texas, with an intermediate stop in Tampico, carrying two pilots and a load of cigarettes. On final approach, it crashed in unknown circumstances and was destroyed by a post crash fire. Both occupants were killed.

Crash of a Lockheed 18 LodeStar in Lincolnton

Date & Time: Apr 12, 1979 at 0645 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 18 LodeStar
Operator:
McCollum Aviation
Registration:
N250W
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
2025
YOM:
1940
Location:
Lincolnton-Prater Ranch
Georgia
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
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll, the crew decided to abandon the takeoff procedure. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the twin engine airplane overran, struck trees and crashed in flames. Both occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed by fire. A load of 2,000 lbs of marijuana was found on board.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees after an aborted takeoff because the crew delayed action in aborting takeoff.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed 18-56-23 LodeStar in Durbin: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 1, 1978 at 0300 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 18 LodeStar
Operator:
Wiley C. Puckett
Registration:
N9051
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
2517
YOM:
1943
Location:
Durbin
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
8000
Circumstances:
While flying by night at low altitude, the twin engine airplane struck obstacles and crashed in flames. All three occupants were killed. Illegal flight suspected. Customs agents were looking for the aircraft.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight with ground during low pass after the pilot-in-command misjudged altitude.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed 18-56-23 LodeStar near Lone Pine

Date & Time: May 20, 1977
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 18 LodeStar
Operator:
Transalaska Produce Corporation
Registration:
N20GY
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
2437
YOM:
1943
Location:
Lone Pine
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following an improper level off, the twin engine airplane crash landed near Lone Pine. The undercarriage collapsed on landing then the airplane slid on its belly and came to rest in flames. The pilot disappeared and was not found while the aircraft was destroyed by fire. It was engaged in a contraband flight.
Probable cause:
Improper level off and hard landing caused the undercarriage to fail.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed 18-56 LodeStar in Truckee

Date & Time: Feb 21, 1977 at 1620 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 18 LodeStar
Operator:
Registration:
N100GP
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
2571
YOM:
1943
Location:
Truckee
California
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:
7191
Captain / Total hours on type:
15.00
Circumstances:
Just after liftoff, while in initial climb, the twin engine airplane encountered difficulties to gain height. It stall, struck the ground and crashed in flames. Both occupants were injured while the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Stall during initial climb due to inadequate preflight preparation on part of the crew. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Airframe ince,
- 12 inches spanwise ice strip on upper wing surface.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed 18 LodeStar in Villa de Casas: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 18, 1976
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 18 LodeStar
Operator:
Depositor Canales
Registration:
N519DW
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
2547
YOM:
1943
Location:
Villa de Casas
Tamaulipas
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances, killing both occupants.

Crash of a Lockheed 18-56 LodeStar in Brighton: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 9, 1976 at 0327 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 18 LodeStar
Operator:
Registration:
N64E
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
2397
YOM:
1943
Location:
Brighton-Grass Field
Florida
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:
2974
Captain / Total hours on type:
28.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff by night from Brighton-Grass Field Airport, the twin engine airplane collided with trees and high vegetation and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
Stall during initial climb following an inadequate preflight preparation on part of the crew. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Selected unsuitable terrain,
- Improperly loaded aircraft and CofG,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment,
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection of aircraft,
- Wet runway,
- High vegetation,
- Airport conditions,
- Field length 2,500 feet, too short for max gross weight takeoff.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed 18 LodeStar in Rockwood: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 29, 1975 at 0150 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 18 LodeStar
Operator:
Registration:
N75G
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Gainesville - Rockwood
MSN:
2482
YOM:
1943
Location:
Rockwood
Tennessee
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:
10685
Circumstances:
The airplane was engaged in an illegal flight from Gainesville to Rockwood, carrying a load of marijuana. On final approach to Rockwood Municipal Airport by night, in a gear up and flaps down configuration, the crew apparently attempted a low pass when the airplane struck trees located about a quarter mile short of runway and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was caused after the pilot-in-command failed to maintain flying speed and diverted attention from operation of the aircraft while completing a low pass by night.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed 18-56-23 LodeStar in Veracruz: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 31, 1975 at 1800 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 18 LodeStar
Operator:
Hartzog Aviation
Registration:
N35L
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
2434
YOM:
1943
Location:
Veracruz-General Heriberto Jara Corona
Veracruz
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
7000
Circumstances:
Just after takeoff from Veracruz-General Heriberto Jara Airport, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed in flames. Both occupants were killed.
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