Zone
Michigan

Crash of a Swearingen SA26T Merlin II in Hot Springs: 6 killed

Date & Time: Oct 16, 1971 at 1317 LT
Type of aircraft:
Swearingen SA26T Merlin II
Operator:
Alpena Flying Services
Registration:
N20DE
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Detroit - Hot Springs
MSN:
T26-168
YOM:
1970
Location:
Hot Springs-Ingalls Field
Virginia
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
25000
Circumstances:
While descending to Hot Springs Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with low ceiling, rain and fog. As the pilot-in-command was unable to locate the runway, he decided to make a go-around. A second attempt to land was also abandoned few minutes later. During a third approach, the pilot-in-command descended below the minimum descent altitude when the airplane struck the ground 150 feet short of runway. The aircraft went out of control and crashed on the right of the runway. All six occupants, among them two Japanese citizen, were killed.
Probable cause:
Improper IFR operation on part of the crew. The following factors were reported:
- Low ceiling, rain and fog,
- Fire after impact,
- The crew descended below MDA on third attempt during a non glide-slope approach.
Final Report:

Crash of a Volpar Turboliner 18 in Cleveland: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 27, 1971 at 0344 LT
Type of aircraft:
Volpar Turboliner 18
Operator:
Registration:
N351V
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Postal (mail)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Cleveland - Detroit
MSN:
AF-295
YOM:
1953
Location:
Cleveland-Hopkins
Ohio
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
6473
Captain / Total hours on type:
174.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after a night takeoff from Cleveland-Hopkins Airport, the left engine lost power. The airplane lost speed and height, struck trees and the roof of a house and crashed. A pilot was killed while the second occupants was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reason. The following factors were reported:
- The pilot-in-command failed to maintain flying speed,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Improperly loaded aircraft, weight and CofG.,
- Left engine lost power for unknown reason,
- Exceeded forward CofG limit by 6,36 inches.
Final Report:

Ground collision of a Beechcraft E18S in Keokuk

Date & Time: Sep 29, 1970 at 0135 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft E18
Operator:
Lindner Aviation
Registration:
N29W
Flight Phase:
Parking
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Keokuk – Detroit
MSN:
BA-107
YOM:
1955
Location:
Keokuk
Iowa
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
4128
Captain / Total hours on type:
600.00
Circumstances:
The crew was preparing the aircraft for a cargo flight to Detroit. On ground, the crew proceeded to an instruments check and started both engines without making an external visual check. A private Cessna 337 just landed and its pilot was taxiing to the parking when the Beechcraft moved and collided with the Cessna. Both aircraft caught fire and all three occupants were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
The crew started the engine without proper assistance and his attention was diverted from operation of the aircraft at that time. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The crew was preoccupied by cockpit check,
- Neither aircraft was chocked for engine start,
- No line personnel was available.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S off Manitou Beach: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 27, 1970 at 0045 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft D18
Operator:
Aero Taxi - USA
Registration:
N332R
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Rockford - Detroit
MSN:
A-8
YOM:
1945
Location:
Manitou Beach
Michigan
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:
3050
Captain / Total hours on type:
1200.00
Circumstances:
The pilot and his passenger departed Rockford in the early morning and completed several flights in the region all along the day. While cruising by night over Lake Michigan, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed into the lake off Manitou Beach. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control in flight after the pilot became lost/disoriented. The following factors were considered as contributing:
- Physical impairment,
- Pilot fatigue,
- Departed Rockford approximately 18 hours prior to the accident,
- Flew 10 hours during the day,
- Attended copilot picnic observed with can beer,
- Toxicologic not decisive.
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 23 in Pellston: 6 killed

Date & Time: May 9, 1970 at 2128 LT
Type of aircraft:
Learjet 23
Operator:
Registration:
N434EJ
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Detroit - Pellston
MSN:
23-046
YOM:
1965
Location:
Pellston-Emmet County
Michigan
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
7760
Captain / Total hours on type:
2142.00
Aircraft flight hours:
3530
Circumstances:
The approach to Pellston-Emmet County was initiated in limited visibility due to clouds. On final, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck trees and crashed in flames few miles short of runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and all six occupants were killed, among them Walter Reuther, President of the American Union of Workers in the Automotive Industry.
Probable cause:
Illusions produced by the lack of visual cues during a circling approach over unlighted terrain at night to a runway not equipped with approach lights or other visual approach aids . These illusions, which made the pilot think that he was higher than his true position, were made more acceptable to him because of a strong possibility of an erroneously high indication on his altimeter.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Dove 6A off Cleveland: 9 killed

Date & Time: Jan 28, 1970 at 0749 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.104 Dove
Operator:
Registration:
N2300H
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Cleveland - Detroit
MSN:
04444
YOM:
1953
Location:
Cleveland-Burke Lakefront
Ohio
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Captain / Total flying hours:
10200
Captain / Total hours on type:
2000.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Cleveland-Burke Lakefront Airport, while climbing, the airplane went out of control and crashed into the Lake Erie. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all nine occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control after the right wing partially failed during climb. The following factors were considered as contributing:
- Wing attachment fitting, bolts,
- Fatigue fracture,
- FAA replacement time requirement inadequate on part of the company personnel,
- Lower right main wing/fuselage root JT attach fitting.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft TC-45J Expeditor in Portage: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 24, 1970 at 0353 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
Operator:
Buckeye Air Services
Registration:
N3766
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Detroit - Chicago
MSN:
6633
YOM:
1944
Location:
Kalamazoo-Battle Creek
Michigan
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:
13410
Captain / Total hours on type:
41.00
Circumstances:
On a night cargo flight from Detroit to Chicago, the crew encountered technical problems with the left engine that failed. The crew feathered its propeller and was cleared to divert to Kalamazoo Airport for an emergency landing. On final approach, the crew was unable to lower the gear so the captain decided to make a go-around and increased full power on the right engine when the airplane lost height and crashed in Portage, about 2,5 miles southwest of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and both crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the left engine in flight for undetermined reason. Loss of control during a go-around manoeuvre after the crew failed to obtain flying speed as the flaps were fully deployed. The following findings were reported:
- Powerplant failure for undetermined reason,
- The pilot-in-command failed to obtain/maintain flying speed,
- The pilot-in-command misused or failed to use flaps,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Suspected mechanical discrepancy,
- Left engine propeller feathered in flight.
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 23 in Detroit

Date & Time: Dec 9, 1967 at 1257 LT
Type of aircraft:
Learjet 23
Operator:
Jet International
Registration:
N822LJ
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
23-080
YOM:
1965
Location:
Detroit
Michigan
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3500
Captain / Total hours on type:
815.00
Circumstances:
Landed hard at Detroit-City Airport, went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. Both crew members were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Improper level off on part of the crew who selected the wrong runway relative to existing wind. Unfavorable wind conditions with cross wind 80° 10 knots gusting 18 knots prevaled at the time of the accident.
Final Report:

Crash of an Aero Commander 560E in Michigan: 4 killed

Date & Time: Feb 15, 1964
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 560
Operator:
Registration:
N3823C
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Detroit – Akron
MSN:
560-746
YOM:
1959
Location:
Michigan
Michigan
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
3100
Captain / Total hours on type:
500.00
Circumstances:
En route from Detroit to Akron, Ohio, the twin engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances somewhere between both cities, maybe in Michigan. SAR operations were suspended after few days as no trace of the aircraft nor the 4 occupants was found.
Probable cause:
Undetermined. Aircraft damage and injury index presumed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina in Detroit: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 15, 1949
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
34014
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Location:
Detroit
Michigan
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Water looped while landing in the Detroit River, in Detroit. Two crew members were killed and six others were injured. The aircraft was lost.
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