Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Spring Lake: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 11, 1976 at 1636 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain
Operator:
Centurion Builders
Registration:
N74941
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Traverse City - Grand Haven
MSN:
31-7305086
YOM:
1973
Location:
Spring Lake
Michigan
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
1798
Captain / Total hours on type:
221.00
Circumstances:
While approaching Grand Haven Airport, both engines stopped quite simultaneously. The pilot lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed in Spring Lake, about three miles north of the airfield. Seven passengers were seriously injured while the pilot and an eighth passenger were killed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure on final approach due to mismanagement of fuel. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fuel starvation,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment,
- Fuel system: pumps,
- Right boost pump inoperative,
- Crossing feed used to start the right engine,
- Crossing feed found ON,
- Left inboard tank dry.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain off Hampton: 4 killed

Date & Time: Oct 20, 1976 at 1908 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain
Operator:
Skyline Aviation (USA)
Registration:
N61436
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Washington DC - Newport News - Baltimore
MSN:
31-7405465
YOM:
1974
Location:
Hampton
Virginia
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
2646
Captain / Total hours on type:
180.00
Circumstances:
While descending to Newport News-Williamsburg Airport on a schedule flight from Washington DC, the right engine failed. The crew lost control of the airplane that entered a dive and crashed into the sea off Hampton, about 12,5 miles southeast of the airport. The aircraft was lost and all four occupants were killed (the copilot's body was never recovered).
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent during initial approach due to engine structure failure (valve assemblies). The following contributing factors were reported:
- Diverted attention from operation of aircraft,
- Electrical system: generators/alternators,
- Failed to use or incorrectly used miscellaneous equipment,
- Aircraft came to rest in water,
- N°5 cylinder on right engine, exhaust valve would not seat,
- Right engine alternator bracket failed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain near Piñon: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 19, 1976 at 0010 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain
Operator:
Registration:
N54294
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
31-7405231
YOM:
1974
Location:
Piñon
New Mexico
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Apparently coming from Mexico, the twin engine airplane was completing an illegal flight, carrying a load of 600 kilos of marijuana. After a first low pass, the pilot reduced his altitude and while attempting a second low pass, probably to jettison the load, the airplane struck trees and crashed in flames. The wreckage was found a day later and both occupants have been killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with ground during a low pass by night. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Misjudged altitude and clearance,
- High obstructions,
- Hit trees on second low pass.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain near Lake Tiberias

Date & Time: May 2, 1976
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain
Operator:
Kanaf-Arkia Airlines
Registration:
4X-CCA
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
31-7405140
YOM:
1974
Location:
Lake Tiberias (Sea of Galilee)
Northern District
Country:
Israel
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route, the pilot informed ATC that he lost a flap and elected to make an emergency landing. The twin engine airplane crash landed north of Lake Tiberias (Sea of Galilee) and was damaged beyond repair. All occupants escaped with no or minor injuries.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain on Mt Burangrang: 8 killed

Date & Time: Dec 21, 1975
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain
Operator:
Registration:
PK-PPD
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Location:
Mt Burangrang
West Java
Country:
Indonesia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
While descending to Bandung-Husein Sastranegara Airport in poor weather conditions, the twin engine airplane struck the slope of Mt Burangrang (2,064 meters high) located 14 km north of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all eight occupants were killed.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Blackbushe: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 19, 1975 at 0811 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain
Operator:
Registration:
G-BBPV
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Blackbushe - Stansted
MSN:
31-7305097
YOM:
1973
Location:
Blackbushe
Hampshire
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
5391
Captain / Total hours on type:
122.00
Aircraft flight hours:
771
Circumstances:
The aircraft was en route from Blackbushe to Stansted when about three minutes after takeoff it descended to aerodrome level and flew into some trees which were obscured by fog and low cloud. The aircraft caught fire and the pilot, the sole occupant, was killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was caused by the aircraft descending into fog covered ground. No reason for this loss of height could be positively established but there is a strong possibility that the pilot's ability to fly the aircraft became impaired by the onset of symptoms associated with coronary artery disease.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Guerra: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 11, 1975
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain
Operator:
Spa Flying Service
Registration:
N61446
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
31-7405472
YOM:
1974
Location:
Guerra
Texas
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:
2300
Circumstances:
Crashed in flames in a uninhabited area located near Guerra, Texas. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and the pilot, sole on board, was killed. The wreckage was recovered on June 19, 1975.
Probable cause:
The cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain near Valdez: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 1, 1975
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain
Operator:
Kenai Air Services
Registration:
N54734
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Kenai - Gulkana
MSN:
31-7405256
YOM:
1974
Location:
Valdez
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
1345
Captain / Total hours on type:
5.00
Circumstances:
En route from Kenai to Gulkana, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the twin engine airplane crashed on a snow covered mountain located in the region of Valdez. SAR operations were quickly suspended due to risk of avalanches. Few days later, it was confirmed that both occupants did not survive the accident.
Probable cause:
The pilot misjudged altitude, causing the aircraft to stuck the ground. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- High obstructions,
- Flew into rising terrain.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Oloitokitok

Date & Time: Dec 28, 1974
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain
Operator:
Safari Air Services
Registration:
5Y-ASH
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
31-7405149
YOM:
1974
Location:
Oloitokitok
Rift Valley
Country:
Kenya
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After touchdown on runway 31 at Oloitokitok Aerodrome, the twin engine airplane encountered difficulties to stop within the remaining distance, overran and came to rest 30 yards further. A passenger was injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Leeds: 8 killed

Date & Time: Dec 6, 1974 at 1721 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain
Operator:
Registration:
G-BBJG
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Leeds - Staverton
MSN:
31-7405401
YOM:
1974
Location:
Leeds-Bradford
West Yorkshire
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Captain / Total flying hours:
6784
Captain / Total hours on type:
390.00
Aircraft flight hours:
692
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Leeds-Bradford Airport at 1715LT on a charter flight to Staverton, carrying a pilot and seven employees of the ICI Fibres Company. During initial climb in marginal weather conditions, the airplane encountered difficulties then control was lost. It entered a dive and crashed in a field located two miles from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all eight occupants were killed. The accident occurred six minutes after takeoff.
Probable cause:
It appears extremely probable that the pilot became incapacitated in the air following an acute coronary episode and control of the aircraft was lost.
Final Report:
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