Zone
Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Dove 5A in Sebring
Date & Time:
May 1, 1981 at 0830 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N630H
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
04378
YOM:
1952
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Sebring Airport, while in initial climb, one of the engine failed. The pilot attempted an emergency landing when the airplane crash landed in a swampy area located on the north shore of Lake Istokpoga, about 2,5 miles south of Sebring airport. The pilot was not recovered and the airplane was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons.
Final Report:
Crash of a Beechcraft 65-80 Queen Air in Sebring
Date & Time:
Apr 6, 1980 at 2200 LT
Registration:
N717Q
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
LD-66
YOM:
1963
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While flying at low height by night on an illegal flight, both engines failed. The airplane descend, collided with trees and crash landed in a swamp. Both occupants were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure or malfunction for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- 16 bales of marijuana found aboard the aircraft.
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- 16 bales of marijuana found aboard the aircraft.
Final Report:
Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680FL in Sebring: 2 killed
Date & Time:
Feb 14, 1980 at 1701 LT
Registration:
N662B
Survivors:
No
MSN:
680-1347-28
YOM:
1963
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Clewiston Airport in the mid afternoon. En route, control was lost and the airplane entered a dive. It suffered an overload failure, lost its both wings and crashed. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Airframe failure in flight and subsequent uncontrolled descent after the pilot suffered a spatial disorientation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot exceeded designed stress limits of aircraft,
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection on part of the maintenance personnel,
- Wings: spars - overload failure and separation in flight,
- Last static system check 28MAR1974.
- The pilot exceeded designed stress limits of aircraft,
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection on part of the maintenance personnel,
- Wings: spars - overload failure and separation in flight,
- Last static system check 28MAR1974.
Final Report:
Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560E in Clewiston
Date & Time:
Jan 15, 1979 at 1445 LT
Registration:
N438G
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Sebring - Miami
MSN:
560-811
YOM:
1959
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total hours on type:
100.00
Circumstances:
En route from Sebring to Miami, smoke spread in the cabin and the pilot decided to reduce his altitude and to attempt an emergency landing. On final, the twin engine airplane collided with rocks, lost its right main gear and crashed. Both occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
Collision with object during landing roll after smoke in cockpit. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fire in cabin, cockpit, baggage compartment,
- Wt, soft ground,
- Rough terrain,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Smoke in cockpit,
- Collided with rocks,
- Right gear sheared off,
- Fire in cockpit from undetermined origin.
- Fire in cabin, cockpit, baggage compartment,
- Wt, soft ground,
- Rough terrain,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Smoke in cockpit,
- Collided with rocks,
- Right gear sheared off,
- Fire in cockpit from undetermined origin.
Final Report:
Crash of a Douglas C-53 Skytrooper in Sebring: 3 killed
Date & Time:
Dec 5, 1978 at 0500 LT
Registration:
N25656
Survivors:
No
MSN:
4845
YOM:
1941
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
After a night takeoff from Sebring Airfield, the airplane encountered difficulties to gain sufficient height. It struck ground obstacles and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled collision with ground during initial climb due to inadequate preflight preparation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Gust locks engaged,
- The pilot attempted operation beyond experience/ability level,
- Aircraft improperly loaded,
- Pilot sel certificated,
- Elevator gust lock found in early part of crash path before break up.
- Gust locks engaged,
- The pilot attempted operation beyond experience/ability level,
- Aircraft improperly loaded,
- Pilot sel certificated,
- Elevator gust lock found in early part of crash path before break up.
Final Report:
Crash of a Lockheed P-2V Harpoon near Sebring
Date & Time:
May 5, 1969 at 0845 LT
Registration:
N7260C
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Sebring - Sebring
MSN:
15-1420
YOM:
1944
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total hours on type:
1051.00
Circumstances:
The crew departed Sebring Airport for a local spraying mission. En route, the left engine failed and the crew delayed the feathering the prop. The aircraft lost height and eventually crashed near Sebring. Both pilots were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of a controlled collision with ground while the crew was trying to return to his departure point. Failure of the engine structure caused by a master and connecting rods failure. The following findings were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions on part of the crew,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Complete engine failure due to rear master rod bearing failure,
- Pilot delayed feathering the left prop.
- Improper in-flight decisions on part of the crew,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Complete engine failure due to rear master rod bearing failure,
- Pilot delayed feathering the left prop.
Final Report:
