Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo off Willemstad: 10 killed

Date & Time: Dec 24, 1977
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
Operator:
Valley Air Service
Registration:
N9164Y
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Charlotte Amalie - Willemstad
MSN:
31-217
YOM:
1968
Location:
Willemstad-Hato
Dutch Antilles
Country:
Dutch Antilles
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
While approaching Willemstad-Hato Airport on a schedule flight from Charlotte Amalie-Cyril E. King Airport, the twin engine airplane nosed down and crashed into the Caribbean Sea few km offshore. The aircraft was destroyed and all 10 occupants were killed.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo off Kingston: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 16, 1977 at 2003 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
Operator:
Growth Air
Registration:
N483LC
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Barranquilla - Tampa
MSN:
31-426
YOM:
1969
Location:
Kingston
Kingston City District
Country:
Jamaica
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
715
Circumstances:
While approaching the Jamaican coast on a flight from Barranquilla to Tampa, both engines failed. The pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed into the sea off Kingston. SAR operations were initiated but no trace of the aircraft nor the pilot was ever found.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Chimoio: 8 killed

Date & Time: Nov 23, 1977
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
Operator:
Textafrica
Registration:
C9-ANS
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
31-143
YOM:
1968
Location:
Chimoio
Manica
Country:
Mozambique
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
While approaching Chimoio Airport, the twin engine airplane was shot down by Mozambican Forces and crashed in flames few hundred meters short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and all eight occupants were killed, five Portugueses and three Swiss citizens.
Probable cause:
Shot down by Mozambican Forces while on final approach to Chimoio Airport. The crew was cleared to perform the flight and a proper flight plan was filed and accepted. Authorities reported the aircraft was inadvertently shot down due to a lack of coordination between military and civil authorities.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Manitowoc

Date & Time: Nov 3, 1977 at 2134 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
Operator:
Savin Aviation
Registration:
N9273Y
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Muskegon - Manitowoc
MSN:
31-360
YOM:
1968
Location:
Manitowoc
Wisconsin
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
Captain / Total flying hours:
1749
Captain / Total hours on type:
295.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Manitowoc Municipal Airport by night and limited visibility (2 miles), the pilot descended too low when the airplane struck the ground and crashed about a mile short of runway. The pilot was seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with ground on final approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fog,
- Visibility 2 miles or less.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31P Pressurized Navajo in Vancouver: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 8, 1977 at 0825 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
Operator:
Mark 50 Machinery Sales
Registration:
N117HC
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Vancouver - Penticton
MSN:
31P-54
YOM:
1971
Location:
Vancouver
Washington
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
Captain / Total flying hours:
7200
Captain / Total hours on type:
700.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Vancouver Airport, south Washington, the airplane encountered difficulties to gain height when it stall and crashed in flames. All three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Stall after engine failure during initial climb. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Powerplant - ignition system: spark plug,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Improper maintenance,
- Powerplant - propeller and accessories: other,
- Directional control problem,
- Prop slow to feather,
- No aircharge,
- Pilot unable to maintain directional control.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo off Malmøya Island

Date & Time: Sep 25, 1977
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
Operator:
Registration:
LN-PAA
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
31-538
YOM:
1969
Location:
Oslo-Fornebu
Oslo City
Country:
Norway
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Oslo-Fornebu Airport, while climbing, the twin engine airplane lost height and crashed into the sea off Malmøya Island, about 7 km southeast of the airport. Both occupants were rescued while the airplane sank by a depth of six meters.

Crash of a Piper PA-31P Pressurized Navajo in Modesto: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 19, 1977 at 1153 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
Operator:
Custom Executive Aviation
Registration:
N7670L
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
San Francisco - Modesto
MSN:
31-7300151
YOM:
1973
Location:
Modesto City-County
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
6912
Captain / Total hours on type:
31.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Modesto City-County Airport, both engines failed simultaneously. The pilot attempted an emergency landing on a highway when the airplane struck an automobile and crashed. Both occupants on board the aircraft were slightly injured while three people were killed in the car.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure on final approach due to fuel exhaustion. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Miscalculated fuel consumption,
- Fuel exhaustion,
- Forced landing off airport on land.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Rochester: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 20, 1977 at 2152 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
Operator:
Registration:
N406CA
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Buffalo - Rochester
MSN:
31-637
YOM:
1970
Location:
Rochester
New York
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:
8300
Captain / Total hours on type:
7735.00
Circumstances:
While on approach to Rochester-Greater Rochester Airport, the pilot lost control of the airplane that entered a dive and crashed in flames in the Cheektowaga County. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent on final approach due to improper operation of flight controls. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Physical impairment,
- Hypertensive hemorrhage of left basal ganglia.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Beira: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jun 29, 1977
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
Operator:
Transportes Aéreos de Moçambique - TAM
Registration:
C9-AKG
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
31-154
YOM:
1968
Location:
Beira
Sofala
Country:
Mozambique
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
At liftoff, the twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed near the runway end. Three occupants were seriously injured while four others were killed.
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