Miami-Opa Locka | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Following an uneventful positioning flight from Brooksville-Hernando County Airport, the crew started the approach to Miami-Opa Locka Airport. The twin engine airplane landed on its belly and slid for several yards before coming to rest in flames. Both crew members escaped without injuries while the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. The crew reported that the gear was lowered prior to touchdown while the gear handle was found in up position.

Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed 18-56-23 LodeStar in Golden Gate

Date & Time: Oct 16, 1969 at 0835 LT

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed 18 LodeStar

Operator:

Johnston R. Staples

Registration:

N170L

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Miami-Opa Locka – St Petersburg

MSN:

2534

YOM:

1943

Location:

Golden Gate

Florida

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:

31000

Captain / Total hours on type:

2000.00

Circumstances:

The crew was completing a ferry flight from Miami-Opa Locka Airport to a maintenance facility based in St Petersburg. This was the first flight for maintenance. En route, smoke spread in the cockpit and the crew was forced to reduce his altitude and to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in flames in a prairie located in Golden Gate, northeast of Naples.

Probable cause:

In-flight fire and smoke forced the crew to attempt an emergency landing. Fuel leak from undetermined source. Fumes in cabin. The aircraft exploded on ground.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Miami

Date & Time: May 1, 1965 at 1810 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft D18

Operator:

Sunline Helicopters

Registration:

N8902A

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

A-551

YOM:

1950

Location:

Miami-Opa Locka

Florida

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:

11500

Captain / Total hours on type:

55.00

Circumstances:

While approaching Miami-Opa Locka Airport, both engines failed simultaneously. The pilot lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed few hundred yards short of runway. The airplane was destroyed by a post crash fire and all seven occupants were rescued.

Probable cause:

It was determined that both engines failed due to a fuel starvation. This was caused by a mismanagement of fuel and inattentive to fuel supply on part of the pilot.

Final Report:

Crash of a Fairchild R4Q-2 Flying Boxcar off Miami: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 4, 1956

Type of aircraft:

Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar

Operator:

Registration:

131703

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Miami - Miami

MSN:

10888

YOM:

1952

Location:

Miami

Florida

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was engaged in a local training sortie from Miami-Opa Locka Airport. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, the aircraft suffered engine problems. The crew contacted ATC and elected to ditch the aircraft off Miami. Two crew members were rescued while others drowned.

Probable cause:

Engine failure.