Nashville

Evansville-William H. Dress

Schedule:

Indianapolis - Evansville - Nashville

MSN:

4837

YOM:

1941

Flight number:

Air Indiana 216

Location:

Indiana

Country:

Region:

Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

9100

Captain / Total hours on type:

4600.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

1330

Copilot / Total hours on type:

Aircraft flight hours:

19777

Circumstances:

The airplane was engaged in a charter flight from Indianapolis to Nashville with an intermediate stop at Evansville Airport, carrying members of the University of Evansville basketball team and associated personnel. Takeoff from runway 18 was completed in marginal weather conditions with mist and light rain. After rotation, the pilot-in-command initiated a turn to the left when the airplane struck two trees located to the east of the airfield. Then the aircraft rolled to the right and crashed about a mile southeast from runway 18 threshold. The aircraft was totally destroyed upon impact and all 29 occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

An attempted take-off with the rudder and right aileron control locks installed, in combination with a rearward centre of gravity, which resulted in the aircraft's rotating to a nose-high attitude immediately after take-off, and entering the region of reversed command from which the pilot was unable to recover. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the flight crew to ensure that the passenger baggage was loaded in accordance with the configuration contained on the load manifest. Their failure resulted in a rearward centre of gravity that was aft of the optimum range, but forward of the rearmost limit.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II in Nashville

Date & Time: Jul 8, 1977 at 0802 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

J. D. Mullican Construction Company

Registration:

N1504G

Flight Phase:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

McMinnville - Nashville

MSN:

421B-0601

YOM:

1974

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5571

Circumstances:

On approach to Nashville Airport, the pilot reported smoke in the cockpit and attempted an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed few miles from the airport and was destroyed b a post impact fire. The pilot, sole on board, was seriously injured.

Probable cause:

Fire in cabin for undetermined reasons. The following findings were reported:
- Fire in cabin, cockpit, baggage compartment,
- Fire in engine,
- Smoke in cockpit,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Suspected or known aircraft damage.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Tullahoma

Date & Time: Feb 14, 1974 at 0235 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft D18

Operator:

Semo Aviation

Registration:

N313A

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Tullahoma-William Northern Field

Schedule:

Nashville - Chattanooga

MSN:

A-257

YOM:

1946

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1244

Captain / Total hours on type:

385.00

Circumstances:

While on a night approach to Tullahoma Airport, the left engine caught fire. The crew was able to extinguish the fire and the propeller was feathered. Unfortunately, the pilot missed the runway and the captain decided to initiate a go-around manoeuvre when the airplane stalled and crashed. Both occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Fire on left engine after a fuel line failed on approach. The following factors were reported:
- Loose parts,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Fire in engine,
- Low ceiling,
- Obstructions to vision,
- Suspected or known aircraft damage,
- Loose fuel line.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Nashville: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 10, 1972 at 0200 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft D18

Operator:

Sierra West Air

Registration:

N7526

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Detroit - Louisville - Nashville

MSN:

A-995

YOM:

1953

Location:

Country:

Region:

Swearingen SA26T Merlin II

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1875

Captain / Total hours on type:

50.00

Circumstances:

Upon landing, the twin engine airplane landed hard and bounced. Out of control, it veered off runway and came to rest in flames. A pilot was killed while the second occupant was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.

Probable cause:

Loss of control upon landing caused by a spontaneous and improper action on part of the copilot who was the pilot-in-command. The following factors were reported:
- Inadequate supervision of flight,
- Poor crew coordination,
- Improper level off,
- Full power recovery from bounced landing,
- Pilot later said that power was for go-around.

Final Report:

Crash of a Swearingen SA26T Merlin IIB in Nashville: 4 killed

Date & Time: Mar 28, 1972 at 0805 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Copeland Refrigeration Company

Registration:

N4111X

Flight Phase:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Sidney - Nashville

MSN:

T26-126

YOM:

1969

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

12486

Captain / Total hours on type:

438.00

Circumstances:

On final approach to Nashville Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and bad visibility due to low ceiling and fog. The crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and all four occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Improper IFR operation on part of the crew. The following factors were reported:
- Instruments misread or failed to read,
- Low ceiling and fog,
- Descended below published MDA,
- The crew did not request nor was given current approach zone weather.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Birmingham: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 22, 1971 at 2150 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft E18

Operator:

Hankins Airways

Registration:

N5605D

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Postal (mail)

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Mobile – Birmingham – Nashville

MSN:

BA-311

YOM:

1957

Location:

Birmingham

Alabama

Country:

Region:

Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5831

Captain / Total hours on type:

2557.00

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Birmingham Airport, while in initial climb, the twin engine airplane stalled from the tail and adopter a high nose-up attitude. Control was lost and the airplane crashed in flames near the airport. Both pilots were killed.

Probable cause:

Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the crew. It was determined that the cargo was improperly tied down and shifted to the rear after takeoff.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45G Expeditor in Brentwood: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 22, 1969 at 0034 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Queen City Flying Service

Registration:

N311U

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Postal (mail)

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Cincinnati - Nashville

MSN:

AF-321

YOM:

1953

Location:

Brentwood

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2235

Captain / Total hours on type:

150.00

Circumstances:

While on a night mail flight from Cincinnati to Nashville, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions upon arrival. On approach, he lost control of the airplane that dove into the ground and crashed in Brentwood, about 7 miles southwest of Nashville Airport. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled descent into the ground on approach after the pilot suffered a spatial disorientation. The following factors were considered as contributing:
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Fog,
- Weather slightly worse than forecast.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-7C in Nashville

Date & Time: Sep 28, 1963 at 2030 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-7

Operator:

Registration:

N843D

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

45449

YOM:

1958

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total hours on type:

458.00

Aircraft flight hours:

15975

Circumstances:

Following an uneventful flight, the crew started the approach to Nashville Airport in poor weather conditions with fog, rain showers and a 400 feet ceiling. After touchdown, the airplane suffered an asymmetrical thrust reversal. Due to high pressure, the nose gear collapsed and the airplane slid on runway for several yards before coming to rest. All 45 occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Improper operation of powerplant & powerplant controls on part of the pilot-in-command and the thrust reversal-asymmetrical was considered as a miscellaneous act.
The following factors were considered as contributing:
- Failure of the pilot-in-command to initiate a go-around,
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Poorly planned approach,
- Overload failure.

Final Report:

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando in Myrtle Beach: 39 killed

Date & Time: Jul 23, 1950 at 1022 LT

Type of aircraft:

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Operator:

Registration:

44-77577

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Myrtle Beach – Nashville

MSN:

32973

YOM:

1944

Location:

Myrtle Beach

South Carolina

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff, while climbing to a height between 1,000 and 2,000 feet, the aircraft became unstable, lost height and crashed in a huge explosion in a field located two miles from the airfield. The aircraft was totally destroyed upon impact and all 39 occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Several eye-witnesses reported that the aircraft lost some pieces before it came down. Investigations determined that following the failure of a part of the right aileron, it detached from the wing, causing severe vibrations. The crew tried to maintain a flat attitude but the aircraft banked left and right and then went into a spin when both wings separated due to aerodynamic forces that exceeded their certification. In such conditions, control was impossible.

Crash of a Douglas DC-2-112 in Nashville

Date & Time: Jan 1, 1947

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-2

Operator:

Registration:

NC13715

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Richmond – Nashville

MSN:

1241

YOM:

1934

Location:

Country:

Region: