Zone
Florida

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain near Tamarac: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 11, 1980 at 2130 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain
Operator:
Registration:
N19GA
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
31-7405252
YOM:
1974
Location:
Tamarac
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot was completing an drug smuggling flight and was attempting to land by night in a remote area near Tamarac when the airplane struck obstacles and crashed, bursting into flames. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Ground loop and nose down after the pilot selected an unsuitable terrain. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Unqualified person operated aircraft,
- High vegetation,
- Night landing on levee,
- No flight records on occupant,
- Marijuana on board.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation in Tamarac

Date & Time: Aug 5, 1973 at 1925 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation
Operator:
Happy Hours Air Travel Club
Registration:
N6202C
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Freeport - Saint Petersburg
MSN:
4002
YOM:
1952
Location:
Tamarac
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
17000
Captain / Total hours on type:
3000.00
Circumstances:
On a positioning flight from Freeport to St Petersburg, the crew was trying to transfer fuel when all four engines stopped simultaneously. The captain reduced his altitude and attempt an emergency belly landing in a open field located in Tamarac. The airplane slid on its belly for few dozen yards before coming to rest. While all eight occupants escaped uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure in flight caused by inadequate supervision of flight and improper use of equipment. The following factors were reported:
- Fuel starvation,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Intentional wheels-up landing,
- Inadequate inspection of aircraft on part of the maintenance personnel,
- Failure of the fuel system: pumps as the protective devices were corroded,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Improper transfer of fuel,
- Circuit breaker corroded.
Final Report:
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