Zone
New York

Crash of a Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I in Norfolk

Date & Time: Aug 5, 1979 at 1630 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I
Operator:
Cooper-Bregstein Realty Company
Registration:
N3126K
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Myrtle Beach - Farmingdale
MSN:
421A-0107
YOM:
1968
Location:
Norfolk
Virginia
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
8000
Circumstances:
En route from Myrtle Beach to Farmingdale, the pilot encountered engine problems, informed ATC about his situation and was vectored to Norfolk for an emergency landing. The aircraft descended from 8,000 to 3,000 feet when the pilot realized he could not reach Norfolk Airport. He attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crash landed in an open field. Both occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure during normal cruise due to piston rings failure. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Material failure,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Complete engine failure,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- N° two cylinder piston failed,
- Pilot descended from 8,000 to 3,000 feet 12 miles from field with right engine shut down.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Springfield: 4 killed

Date & Time: Mar 10, 1979 at 2216 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain
Operator:
Nichols Aviation
Registration:
N27530
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Farmingdale - Springfield
MSN:
31-7852047
YOM:
1978
Location:
Springfield-Hartness State
Vermont
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:
400
Circumstances:
On final approach to Springfield-Hartness State Airport by night and poor weather conditions, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck the ground and crashed. The aircraft was destroyed and all four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with ground on final approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Fog,
- Visibility down to zero,
- Below minimums weather conditions,
- Published missed approach procedures not followed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Swearingen SA226T Merlin IIIA in Nassau: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 3, 1977 at 1923 LT
Type of aircraft:
Swearingen SA226T Merlin III
Operator:
INA Aviation
Registration:
N5329M
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Farmingdale - Nassau
MSN:
T-243
YOM:
1974
Location:
Nassau
New Providence
Country:
Bahamas
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
1200
Captain / Total hours on type:
600.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Nassau Airport, the pilot decided to make a go-around when the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees on final approach.
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 25B in Richmond

Date & Time: Jul 3, 1975 at 0756 LT
Type of aircraft:
Learjet 25
Operator:
South Central Aviation
Registration:
N428JX
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Toledo – Richmond – Farmingdale
MSN:
25-103
YOM:
1973
Location:
Richmond
Indiana
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
6800
Captain / Total hours on type:
1600.00
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Richmond Airport, the captain decided to abandon the takeoff procedure and started an emergency braking manoeuvre. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran and collided with trees at full power. The aircraft was destroyed while all eight occupants escaped with minor injuries.
Probable cause:
Aborted takeoff after spontaneous and improper actions on part of the copilot. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Collision with trees,
- Improper operation of powerplant and powerplant controls on part of the copilot,
- Inadequate supervision of flight from the pilot-in-command,
- Both engines at or near takeoff power at impact.
Final Report:

Crash of a Fairchild 71 in Amston: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 10, 1930 at 1010 LT
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild 71
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Test
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Farmingdale - Farmingdale
Location:
Amston
Connecticut
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
Circumstances:
The crew departed Farmingdale-Republic Airport in the morning on a local test flight. While flying at low height in a visibility reduced by foggy conditions, the airplane impacted trees and crashed in a wooded area located near Amston. The wreckage was found five days later. Both occupants Daniel Marra and William Kirkpatrick were killed.
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