Crash of a Beechcraft G18S in Ann Arbor

Date & Time: Dec 29, 1973 at 1336 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft G18S
Operator:
Registration:
N118W
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Ann Arbor - Allentown
MSN:
BA-470
YOM:
1959
Location:
Ann Arbor
Michigan
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:
2700
Captain / Total hours on type:
700.00
Circumstances:
While taking off from Ann Arbor in poor weather conditions with snow falls and low ceiling, the pilot lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed in a field. All five occupants were evacuated and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The aircraft was not deiced prior to departure.
Probable cause:
Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot who failed to maintain flying speed after takeoff. The following factors were reported:
- Airframe ice,
- Low ceiling and snow,
- Encrusted snow approximately 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick on top of wing and tail surfaces.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II in Buffalo: 6 killed

Date & Time: Dec 16, 1972 at 1033 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II
Operator:
Registration:
N121X
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
City
Schedule:
Buffalo - Allentown
MSN:
421B-0166
YOM:
1971
Location:
Buffalo
New York
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
2600
Captain / Total hours on type:
80.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Buffalo Airport, while in initial climb, the left engine lost power. The aircraft banked left, lost height then crashed onto several houses located in the residential area of Cheektowaga, about two miles south of the airport. The airplane was destroyed and all three occupants were killed as well as three people on the ground.
Probable cause:
Engine failure during initial climb. The following factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- The pilot failed to follow the approved procedures,
- Improper operation of powerplant and powerplant controls,
- Fuel system: selector valves,
- Exhaust system: other,
- Ignition system: spark plug,
- Carbon deposit,
- Airframe ice,
- Icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain,
- Snow showers,
- Power loss on left engine,
- Spark plug fouled,
- Possible slow waste gate open,
- Fuel shut off,
- Propeller not feathered.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft B99 Airliner in Allentown: 4 killed

Date & Time: Oct 24, 1971 at 2307 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 99 Airliner
Operator:
Registration:
N986MA
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Wilkes Barre - Allentown
MSN:
U-044
YOM:
1968
Flight number:
VM098
Location:
Allentown-Lehigh Valley (Bethlehem-Easton)
Pennsylvania
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
4600
Captain / Total hours on type:
800.00
Circumstances:
Monmouth Airlines Flight 98 departed Wilkes-Barre at 2253LT for a short IFR flight to Allentown. Allentown Approach Control cleared the flight for a VOR approach and instructed the pilot to report when it was 12 miles North of the Allentown VOR. At 2307LT, upon receiving the flight's position estimate, Allentown Approach Control cleared Monmouth 98 for a VOR approach to a landing on runway 06. Monmouth 98 was requested to report when inbound over the Allentown VOR. The airplane then collided with the ridge of Blue Mountain at an elevation of 1540 ft (470 m). The wreckage was found 11,3 miles north of Allentown-Bethlehem Easton Airport. Both pilots and two passengers were killed while four other passengers were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The pilot's nonadherence to approved approach procedures for executing a non precision instrument approach in instrument flight conditions. The Board further finds that there is a high degree of probability that the extensive on-duty time and actual instrument flight time prior to this accident resulted in the fatigue of both pilots and affected their judgment and decisions during the approach.
Final Report:

Crash of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando in Medford: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 7, 1969 at 1247 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Flying West Airways
Registration:
N1243N
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Medford – Allentown
MSN:
22456
YOM:
1945
Location:
Medford
New Jersey
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:
3137
Circumstances:
Following a premature liftoff, the airplane struck trees, stalled and crashed in a huge explosion. Both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was caused by the combination of the following factors:
- Ground swerve during takeoff run,
- Collision with trees during initial climb,
- Improper operations of brakes and/or flight controls,
- Premature liftoff,
- Failure to obtain/maintain flying speed,
- Evasive maneuver to avoid collision,
- Premature takeoff to avoid aircraft tiedown area after loss of directional control,
- Tailwheel was in unlocked position.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402 in Allentown: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 7, 1968 at 0457 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
Jet Set Aviation
Registration:
N8419F
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Location:
Allentown-Lehigh Valley (Bethlehem-Easton)
Pennsylvania
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:
1181
Captain / Total hours on type:
92.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Allentown Airport, while on a night cargo flight, the twin engine airplane became unstable, went into a spin and crashed short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was probably caused by the combination of the following factors:
- Inadequate preflight preparation and/or planning,
- Improperly loaded aircraft-weight and/or CofG,
- The cargo shifted during final approach, resulting in pitch and lateral control problems,
- Witnesses stated that the cargo net was not used,
- Aircraft CofG caused stall when power was reduced for emergency landing.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3 in Allentown

Date & Time: Jan 22, 1947
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-3
Operator:
Allegheny Air Cargo
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Location:
Allentown-Lehigh Valley (Bethlehem-Easton)
Pennsylvania
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While cruising at an altitude of 6,000 feet, the crew informed ground that smoke spread into the cabin. The captain decided to make an emergency landing in a field near Allentown. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire while all three crew members were unhurt.
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