Brownsville

Before the flight, the pilot did not obtain a weather briefing and departed without approval from company personnel. The airplane departed the airport about 0230 and climbed to 14,500 feet mean sea level. The pilot obtained visual flight rules (VFR) flight following services from air traffic control (ATC) personnel during the flight. While the airplane was en route, ATC personnel advised the pilot that an area of moderate precipitation was located about 15 miles ahead along the airplane’s flight path. The pilot acknowledged the transmission and was then directed to contact another controller. About 3 minutes later, the new controller advised the pilot of an area of moderate to extreme precipitation about 2 miles ahead of the airplane. The pilot responded that he could see the weather and asked the controller for a recommendation for a reroute. The controller indicated he didn’t have a recommendation, but finished by saying a turn to the west (a right turn) away from the weather would probably be better. The pilot responded that he would make a right turn. There was no further radio contact with the pilot. Flight track data indicated the airplane was in a right turn when radar contact was lost. A review of the radar data, available weather information, and airplane wreckage indicated the airplane flew through a heavy to extreme weather radar echo containing a thunderstorm and subsequently broke up in flight. Postaccident examination revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airframe and engines that would have precluded normal operation. During the VFR flight, the pilot was responsible for remaining in VFR conditions and staying clear of clouds. However, Federal Aviation Administration directives instruct ATC personnel to issue pertinent weather information to pilots, provide guidance to pilots to avoid weather (when requested), and plan ahead and be prepared to suggest alternate routes or altitudes when there are areas of significant weather. The weather advisories and warnings issued to the pilot by ATC were not in compliance with these directives. The delay in providing information to the pilot about the heavy and extreme weather made avoiding the thunderstorm more difficult and contributed to the accident.

During an international cross country flight the private pilot, certificated single engine land, experienced a dual engine power loss as he was being vectored to the Brownsville Airport. Following the accident the aircraft was examined by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector who found that there was fuel in the left fuel tank and that the fuel selector was in the right tank position. The pilot had reported, prior to loss of engine power, that he had low fuel indications in the right tank and that he needed a vector to Brownsville. The aircraft was landed in rough and uneven terrain, resulting in damage to the structure and wings, approximately 1/2 mile short of the runway.

While in normal cruise from Brownsville to Atlanta, the pilot reported engine problems. He elected to divert to the nearest airport but was eventually forced to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft belly landed on soft ground and came to rest. All seven occupants were rescued, among them five were seriously injured.

While on a night approach to Houston Airport, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with low clouds and fog. He descended too low until the aircraft collided with ground about two miles short of runway. All three passengers were injured while the pilot was killed.

The pilot, sole on board, was engaged in a crop spraying mission against mosquitos. While cruising at low height, he lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed in an open field. The pilot was killed.

The single engine aircraft was carrying two people who were flying to Brownsville to take part to an airshow. The aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances and both occupants were injured.

The crew left Brownsville Airport on a navigation training mission over the Gulf of Mexico. Few minutes after his departure, the crew informed ground about his position southeast of Brownsville, enroute to Corpus Christi. As the radio contact was lost and the airplane failed to arrive in Corpus Christi, SAR operations were conducted. The wreckage was found on the slope of a 3,000 feet high mountain near Caricitas, State of Tamaulipas, Mexico. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all ten crew members were killed. For unknown reason, the aircraft was not following the assigned track for Corpus Christi.
Crew:
Lt Donald G. Teifer +9.

The crew was performing a training mission out from Brownsville Airport, a mission consisting of a familiarization with new navigation techniques. Enroute, the airplane hit a ridge located in the municipality of Cruillas, Tamaulipas. All ten crew members were killed.

While cruising at an altitude of 8,000 feet, the twin engine aircraft hit the slope of Mt Tecpán located about 3,5 km northwest of the city of Tecpán. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and both crew members were killed. For unknown reason, the crew was flying at an insufficient altitude to clear the mountainous area.

The crew was on his way from Brownsville to Ciudad del Carmen to pick up a load of seafood for the US market. While cruising vertical to the Gulf of Mexico, the right engine failed, forcing the crew to ditch the aircraft 24 km off Ciudad del Carmen. While preparing a life raft, the American pilot Neil Womack fell into the water and was drowned. The Mexican copilot Esteban de León was rescued by the crew of a ship christened 'Roatán' nine days later.