Eureka | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The crew (one instructor and one student pilot) was engaged in a training flight from Crescent City to Eureka. Following a night takeoff from Crescent City-Jack McNamara Airport, the twin engine airplane adopted a low rate of climb when it crashed in flames on the Castle Rock Island (238 feet ASL) located about a mile south of the departure end of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Controlled collision with ground during initial climb after the pilot-in-command misjudged altitude and clearance. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate supervision of flight on behalf of the check pilot.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 414 Chancellor near Chester: 8 killed

Date & Time: Dec 22, 1974 at 1507 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 414 Chancellor

Operator:

McGee Enterprises

Registration:

N414ZM

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Eureka - Winnemucca

MSN:

414-0494

YOM:

1974

Location:

Chester

California

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2773

Captain / Total hours on type:

385.00

Circumstances:

While cruising at an altitude of 19,000 feet in marginal weather conditions, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed in a wooded area located about nine miles northwest of Chester, California. The wreckage was found few hours later. The aircraft was destroyed and all eight occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled descent after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Spatial disorientation,
- Exceeded designed stress limits of aircraft,
- Overload failure,
- Separation in flight,
- Empennage separated,
- Entered overcast about 19,000 feet.

Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 100 near Eureka

Date & Time: Aug 14, 1973

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter

Operator:

Registration:

CF-WWP

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

YOM:

1966

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances 70 km east of Eureka, NWT. Both occupants were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Dove 2 off San Francisco: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 11, 1969 at 2137 LT

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.104 Dove

Operator:

Registration:

N13114

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Eureka - San Francisco

MSN:

04092

YOM:

1947

Location:

San Francisco

California

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2187

Captain / Total hours on type:

650.00

Circumstances:

On final approach to San Francisco Airport, while on a night cargo flight, the crew reported pitch problems when control was lost. The airplane crashed into the sea few miles off shore. The copilot was rescued while the body of the captain was found a week later. The airplane sank and was not recovered.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled descent and collision with water for undetermined reason. The pilot reported loss of pitch control on base leg. The wreckage was not recovered.

Final Report: