Lockheed 18 LodeStar

Operator:

Registration:

N850M

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Positioning

Survivors:

Site:

Asunción-Silvio Pettirossi

MSN:

2214

YOM:

1942

Location:

Central

Country:

Paraguay

Region:

South America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crash under unknown circumstances while on approach to Asunción-Silvio Pettirossi Airport. The airplane was damaged beyond repair and both pilots were slightly injured.

Crash of a Lockheed 18-56 LodeStar in Lake Placid: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 3, 1974 at 0945 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Tiffany Realty

Registration:

N32L

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

2323

YOM:

1943

Location:

Lake Placid

Florida

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

17800

Circumstances:

While flying at low height, the pilot made an evasive maneuver to avoid power cable when control was lost. The airplane crashed in a prairie located near Lake Placid. While the passenger was seriously injured, the pilot was killed. The flight was illegal as 3,244 pounds of marijuana was found on board.

Probable cause:

Improper operation of flight controls on part of the pilot who failed to maintain flying speed. The following factors were reported:
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Unwarranted low flying,
- Evasive maneuver to avoid collision,
- Low level flight,
- Illegal flight.

Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed 18-56 LodeStar near Normandia

Date & Time: Mar 3, 1974

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

L. Eduardo

Registration:

CP-1024

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

2489

YOM:

1943

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

En route, the right engine caught fire. The crew decided to reduce his altitude and attempted an emergency landing. The airplane crash landed in an open field and came to rest in flames. While both occupants escaped uninjured, the aircraft was destroyed by fire.

Probable cause:

Right engine fire in flight.

Crash of a Lockheed 18-56 LodeStar in Pompano Beach: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 14, 1974 at 2000 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N2375

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Illegal (smuggling)

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

2455

YOM:

1943

Location:

Pompano Beach

Florida

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5000

Circumstances:

The crew was completing an illegal flight to the US with a load of more than 4,000 pounds of marijuana on board. While flying over Florida, the right engine failed and the crew decided to divert to Pompano Beach Airport for an emergency landing. On final approach, the airplane went out of control and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Engine malfunction on final approach caused by the failure of a cylinder assembly. The following factors were reported:
- Material failure,
- Failed to follow the approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Exercised poor judgment,
- Improperly loaded aircraft and CofG,
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Low ceiling,
- Obstructions to vision,
- Complete engine failure,
- Failure of n°9 exhaust valve on right engine,
- Propeller not feathered,
- Stalled on turn to airport,
- Over gross weight,
- Illegal flight with about 4,000 pounds of marijuana on board.

Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed 18 LodeStar in Placida

Date & Time: Jan 11, 1974 at 0455 LT

Type of aircraft:

Florida Airways International

Operator:

Registration:

N711FN

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Illegal (smuggling)

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

2583

YOM:

1943

Location:

Placida

Florida

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The pilot, sole on board, was completing an illegal flight and the aircraft was carrying a load of one ton of marijuana. While trying to land by night in Placida, the airplane struck power cables and crashed in an open field. The pilot disappeared and was not found. The aircraft was destroyed and the marijuana was found on board.

Probable cause:

Improper in-flight decisions and/or planning on part of the pilot. The following factors were reported:
- Misjudged distance and altitude,
- Failed to see and avoid objects or obstructions,
- Fog,
- High obstructions,
- Aircraft stolen,
- Carrying contraband cargo,
- Pilot unknown,
- Hit powerline pole during a visual approach by night and fog.

Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed 18-56 LodeStar in Bogotá

Date & Time: Jan 5, 1974 at 1516 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

HK-1146

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Bogotá - Flandes - Bogotá

MSN:

2327

YOM:

1943

Location:

Bogotá-El Dorado

Bogotá Capital District

Country:

Colombia

Region:

South America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew (three pilots under supervision and two instructors) departed Bogotá-El Dorado Airport in the early morning on a training flight to Flandes, Tolima. Several touch and go maneuvers were completed at Flandes Airport and during the last takeoff, the undercarriage failed to retract after the hydraulic system failed. On approach to Bogotá-El Dorado, the crew was unable to lower the flaps thus a flapless landing was completed on runway 12. After touchdown, the airplane was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran and came to rest in a drainage ditch. All five occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

It was determined that a pressure line in the hydraulic system was broken in the right landing gear well, causing a leak of hydraulic fluid. This caused the brakes to be ineffective as well.

Crash of a Lockheed 18 LodeStar at Santa Lucia AFB

Date & Time: Sep 14, 1973 at 0400 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Media Aviation

Registration:

N211W

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

2311

YOM:

1942

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3700

Captain / Total hours on type:

300.00

Circumstances:

The airplane was probably involved in a drug smuggling flight. For unknown reasons, the pilot was forced to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed 3 km from Santa Lucia AFB, north of Mexico City. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and all three occupants were not found.

Probable cause:

Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined.

Final Report:

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

Date & Time: Sep 4, 1973 at 0554 LT

Type of aircraft:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Operator:

Oliver B. Cannon & Sons

Registration:

N669M

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

2591

YOM:

1943

Location:

Pecos

Texas

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3290

Captain / Total hours on type:

13.00

Circumstances:

During the takeoff roll at Pecos Airport, the pilot lost control of the airplane swerved and eventually crashed. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and all three occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

The pilot failed to maintain directional control during takeoff. The following factors were reported:
- Attempted operation beyond experience and ability level,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Exceeded design stress limits of aircraft,
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Exercised poor judgment.

Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed 18-56 LodeStar off Chub Cay: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 6, 1973 at 0050 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Karol Investment

Registration:

N620S

Flight Phase: