Homestead AFB

The instrument rated pilot received three weather briefings on the date of the accident from the Miami Automated Flight Service Station. The pilot obtained his IFR clearance while airborne, was advised to climb to 9000 feet mean sea level (MSL), then later advised to descend and maintain 2000 feet, and to fly heading 030 degrees. Radar data indicates that following the instruction from the controller, the airplane made a right descending turn to a southeasterly heading, followed by a left turn to an easterly heading where the airplane was lost from radar while at 2,200 feet mean sea level. The crash was located 138 degrees and .38 nautical mile from the last radar target. Between 1631:04, and 1631:16, the airplane descended from 7,600 to 6,100 feet. Between 1631:16, and the last radar target 12 seconds later at 1631:28, the airplane descended 3,900 feet. Weather radar data indicates the airplane encountered video integrator and processor (VIP) Level 2, or "moderate intensity" echoes in the area of the in-flight loss of control. Approximately 10 and 20 miles east-northeast through southeast of the accident site, maximum echoes of VIP Level 5 to 6, or "intends to extreme intensity" echoes were noted. The strongest reflectivities were located 20 miles east of the accident site. Disintegration of the airplane was noted; there was no evidence of in-flight, or post crash fire of any recovered components. The full span of the left wing, left aileron, left horizontal, and left elevator were accounted for. A section of the right wing and right outboard flap was identified; the right wing was fragmented. Examination of the engine and propellers revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. No determination was made whether the pilot met the instrument recency of experience requirement of 14 CFR Part 61.57 (c).

The aircraft was engaged in a voluntary relief flight for the victims of hurricane Andrew. All of the seats had been removed from the cabin section of the aircraft. There were no weight scales used in the loading of the cargo onto the aircraft. The private pilot did not have a multi engine rating on his pilot certificate. The aircraft crashed into a residence one half mile from the departure end of the runway. Witnesses stated that the aircraft used most of the available runway prior to liftoff. After liftoff, the aircraft appeared to climb in an unstable condition prior to the accident. Investigation revealed that the aircraft was 1112.2 pounds over the maximum gross takeoff weight at the time of the departure. All three occupants were killed.

The aircraft collided with trees and the ground during takeoff in IMC weather. The visibility was zero due to ground fog. There were no known witnesses to the accident but there was evidence of a collision with a 60 feet high tree at the end of the 3,000 feet runway. It was not determined whether the pilot used all of the runway. After the collision with the tree the aircraft hit the ground in a left bank and cartwheeled. Both occupants were killed.

The pilot, probably sole on board, was completing an illegal flight from Mexico to Florida with contraband on board. En route, the pilot was forced to attempt an emergency landing due to fuel exhaustion. The airplane crash landed near Homestead and was abandoned. The pilot was not recovered and a load of 1,000 lbs of marijuana was found onboard. The aircraft has been stolen.

Crashed in unknown circumstances in a canal near Homestead. The aircraft ground looped and came to rest in water. It was unable to contact the registered owner and injury index is presumed.

The aircraft departed Homestead, Florida, on a test flight. While flying over the Gulf of Mexico, the pilot reported severe electrical storm. He became lost and disoriented so he decided to ditch the airplane about 375 miles southeast of Brownsville, Texas. The aircraft sank and was lost while both occupants were rescued.

Crashed in unknown circumstances 4,7 miles northeast of Homestead AFB, south Florida. The crew fate remains unknown.

The crew departed Roosevelt Roads NAS on a routine flight to Homestead AFB, south Florida. Few minutes after takeoff, the radio communication systems apparently failed and the crew decided to return to his departure point for a safe landing. While cruising in poor visibility at an altitude of 3,400 feet, the airplane struck tree tops and crashed in a wooded area located on the slope of the Pico del Este (1,036 meters high) located in the El Yunque National Park. As the airplane failed to return, SAR operations were conducted and the wreckage was found a day later some 12 km west of Ceiba. All eight crew members were killed.

The airplane departed Homestead AFB at 1947LT bound for Cockburn Town, Turks & Caicos Islands with a crew of five and five mechanics on board who were to fix the engine of a C-119. In the evening, while cruising over the Bahamas by night, the airplane disappeared from radar screens and the crew was unable to send any distress call. The last radio communication was recorded while the aircraft was over the region of Crooked Island. Extensive SAR operations were conducted for several days but eventually suspended as no trace of the aircraft nor the 10 occupants was found. On July 18, 1965 debris were found on a beach located on Acklins Island, Bahamas.

Following an uneventful refuelling mission of a Boeing B-47, the Stratotanker was returning to its base at Homestead, south Florida, some 1,125 km from its position. It was flying with a second USAF Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanker registered 61-0319 and carrying a crew of six. The first KC-135 was flying at an altitude of 36,000 feet while the second was following at an altitude of 35,500 feet. En route, both airplanes went into a low pressure area and apparently collided. All contacts were lost at 1230LT. SAR operations were conducted and some debris were found a day later some 480 km west of Bermuda. All 11 crew members were killed.