Crash of a Hawker-Siddeley HS.125-600A in McLean: 4 killed

Date & Time: Apr 28, 1977 at 2038 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N40PC
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Washington DC - Birmingham
MSN:
256010
YOM:
1973
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
7807
Captain / Total hours on type:
1900.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4049
Copilot / Total hours on type:
114
Aircraft flight hours:
1904
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Washington-National Airport bound for Birmingham, Alabama. Four minutes later, while climbing to an altitude of 9,300 feet, monitoring radar stations lost continuous reception of the aircraft's primary and secondary radar target information. Shortly thereafter, ground witnesses saw an explosion in the sky followed by the wreckage of the aircraft falling to the ground. the sky was overcast and light rain was falling. The four persons aboard were killed and the aircraft was destroyed. One residence and two automobiles were destroyed by impact and fire and several other homes were damaged by falling debris.
Probable cause:
A failure or malfunction of an undetermined nature in the pilot's attitude indicating system which led to a loss of control and overstress of the aircraft structure.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain off Hampton: 4 killed

Date & Time: Oct 20, 1976 at 1908 LT
Registration:
N61436
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Washington DC - Newport News - Baltimore
MSN:
31-7405465
YOM:
1974
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
2646
Captain / Total hours on type:
180.00
Circumstances:
While descending to Newport News-Williamsburg Airport on a schedule flight from Washington DC, the right engine failed. The crew lost control of the airplane that entered a dive and crashed into the sea off Hampton, about 12,5 miles southeast of the airport. The aircraft was lost and all four occupants were killed (the copilot's body was never recovered).
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent during initial approach due to engine structure failure (valve assemblies). The following contributing factors were reported:
- Diverted attention from operation of aircraft,
- Electrical system: generators/alternators,
- Failed to use or incorrectly used miscellaneous equipment,
- Aircraft came to rest in water,
- N°5 cylinder on right engine, exhaust valve would not seat,
- Right engine alternator bracket failed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Dassault Falcon 20C at Grand Prairie NAS

Date & Time: Mar 4, 1975 at 0646 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N990L
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Grand Prairie - Washington DC
MSN:
43
YOM:
1966
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
13287
Captain / Total hours on type:
1423.00
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll on runway 17 at Grand Prairie-Hensley Field NAS, the pilot-in-command elected to takeoff but this was impossible due to an incorrect trim setting. As the aircraft unrotated, the crew decided to attempt an emergency braking procedure but the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran runway 17, collided with a fence and eventually came to rest into the Mountain Creek Lake. All five occupants were injured, both pilots seriously.
Probable cause:
Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the crew. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to follow the approved procedures,
- Delayed action in aborting takeoff,
- Incorrect trim setting,
- Wet runway,
- Failed to use the checklist,
- The crew did not check the stab trim prior to takeoff,
- Spoilers and drag chute not deployed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft A90 King Air in Washington DC: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 25, 1975 at 1210 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N57V
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Columbus - Washington DC
MSN:
LJ-268
YOM:
1967
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
9745
Captain / Total hours on type:
50.00
Circumstances:
On a VOR/DME approach to Washington-National Airport, the crew encountered low clouds and failed to realize his altitude was insufficient. On final, the twin engine airplane struck a radio antenna. Upon impact, the left wing was torn off and the aircraft crashed in flames in the garden of the American University campus. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined. The following findings were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- High obstructions,
- Separation of the left wing in flight,
- Descended below minimum approach segment altitude during VOR/DME approach,
- Hit radio tower, causing the left wing to separate.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing 737-222 in Chicago: 45 killed

Date & Time: Dec 8, 1972 at 1428 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N9031U
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Washington DC - Chicago - Omaha
MSN:
19069/75
YOM:
1968
Flight number:
UA553
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
55
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
45
Captain / Total flying hours:
18000
Captain / Total hours on type:
2435.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
10638
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1676
Aircraft flight hours:
7247
Circumstances:
Flight UA553 departed Washington-National Airport at 1250LT for Omaha with an intermediate stop at Chicago-Midway Airport. Chicago ARTCC cleared the crew to descend to 4000 feet and the flight was given vectors for a Midway Airport runway 31L localizer course. At 14:19 the flight was transferred to Chicago Approach Control which later requested UA553 to slow down to 180 knots and later down to 160 knots. After issuing a descent clearance down to 2000 feet at 14:23 the controller requested the flight to slow down to approach speed because of separation between UA553 and a preceding Aero Commander. At 14:24 the Aero Commander passed the Outer Marker and was cleared to land on runway 31L. Two minutes later UA553 passed the Outer Marker inbound. Then, at 14:27:04 the air traffic controller decided to issue a missed approach clearance: "United 553 execute a missed approach make a left turn to a heading of 180 climb to 2000". At the same time, having just reached 1000 feet, the stick shaker suddenly activated. Full power was applied and the gear was retracted in an attempt to execute a missed approach. The Boeing continued to descend however, attaining a high nose up attitude (of at least 30deg, according to some survivors). The aircraft then clipped a tree and impacted trees, houses, utility pole cables and garages before coming to rest. Post crash fire destroyed part of the fuselage.
Probable cause:
The captain's failure to exercise positive flight management during the execution of a non-precision approach, which culminated in a critical deterioration of airspeed into the stall regime where level flight could no longer be maintained.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45H Expeditor in Binghamton: 3 killed

Date & Time: Mar 22, 1970 at 1611 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N497DM
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Binghampton - Washington DC
MSN:
AF-690
YOM:
1954
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
6630
Captain / Total hours on type:
106.00
Circumstances:
At liftoff from Binghamton-Broome County Airport, the twin engine airplane encountered serious difficulties to gain height. Suddenly, it stalled and crashed in flames in an open field located near the airport. A pilot and two passengers were killed while eight other occupants were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
The accident was caused by a poor flight preparation on part of the crew who decided to takeoff with a snow covered aircraft. The following factors were considered as contributing:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Airframe ice,
- Icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain,
- Delayed action in aborting takeoff,
- Intentional wheels-up landing,
- Low ceiling,
- Snow,
- The crew attempted to takeoff with snow on wings,
- Aircraft not cleaned prior to takeoff.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Weyers Cave: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 3, 1970 at 1455 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N403FW
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Washington DC - Weyers Cave
MSN:
BA-37
YOM:
1955
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
6394
Captain / Total hours on type:
191.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Weyers Cave-Shenandoah Valley Airport, the crew informed ATC that both engines failed and that he was unable to maintain the prescribed altitude. Shortly later, the aircraft struck a hill located few miles from the airfield, probably as the crew was trying to make an emergency landing. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure on final approach due to icing conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper operation of powerplant on part of the pilot-in-command,
- Improper operation or failed to use the anti-icing/deicing equipment,
- Ice-carburetor,
- Conditions conducive to carburetor/induction system icing,
- Complete failure of both engines,
- Icing conditions,
- Both propellers found in feathered position after impact.
Final Report:

Crash of a BAc 111-204AF in Blossburg: 34 killed

Date & Time: Jun 23, 1967 at 1447 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N1116J
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Elmira - Washington DC
MSN:
98
YOM:
1966
Flight number:
MO040
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
30
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
34
Captain / Total flying hours:
13875
Captain / Total hours on type:
603.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4814
Copilot / Total hours on type:
677
Aircraft flight hours:
2246
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Elmira-Corning Airport at 1439LT on a schedule flight to Washington-National Airport, carrying 30 passengers and a crew of four. After takeoff, the crew was cleared to climb to FL160 when the airplane went into a nose-down attitude, plunged into the earth and crashed in a huge explosion in a wooded area located one mile east of Blossburg, Pennsylvania. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and none of the 34 occupants survived the crash.
Probable cause:
The loss of integrity of empennage pitch control systems due to a destructive in-flight fire which originated in the airframe plenum chamber, fueled by hydraulic fluid, progressed up into the vertical tail fin. The fire resulted from engine bleed air flowing back through the malfunctioning non return valve and an open air delivery valve, through the auxiliary power unit in a reverse direction, and exiting into the plenum chamber at temperatures sufficiently high to cause the acoustics linings to ignite.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-7 in Washington DC

Date & Time: Jul 30, 1964 at 2102 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N464
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Washington DC - Washington DC
MSN:
44127
YOM:
1953
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
14375
Captain / Total hours on type:
260.00
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local test flight at Washington-Dulles Airport. Upon landing, the nose gear collapsed and the airplane slid for several yards before coming to rest. All eight occupants were uninjured while the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The crew failed to maintain directional control and the pilot-in-command made an inadequate supervision of flight.
Final Report:

Crash of a Vickers 745D Viscount near Parrottsville: 39 killed

Date & Time: Jul 9, 1964 at 1815 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N7405
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Philadelphia – Washington DC – Knoxville – Huntsville
MSN:
103
YOM:
1955
Flight number:
UA823
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
35
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
39
Captain / Total flying hours:
15665
Captain / Total hours on type:
1700.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
7715
Copilot / Total hours on type:
2100
Aircraft flight hours:
23804
Circumstances:
A United Air Lines, Inc., Vickers Viscount 745D, N7405, Flight 823, crashed 2-1/4 rules northeast of Parrottsville Tennessee, at 1815 e.s.t., July 9, 1964. Thirty-four passengers and the four crew members died in the crash. One passenger died of injuries following a free fall from the aircraft before the crash. The aircraft was destroyed by fire and impact damage. Flight 823 was a regularly scheduled operation from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Huntsville, Alabama, with en route stops at Washington, D. C., and Knoxville, Tennessee. The flight operated without any reported discrepancies or difficulties until approximately 1810 e.s.t., when it was observed flying at low altitude trailing smoke. The flight continued in a southwesterly direction and at a point approximately 1.6 nautical rules before the impact site, a passenger was seen falling from the aircraft, and a short time later a cabin window was seen falling. The aircraft was then observed going into a nose-high attitude, the left wing and the nose went down, and the aircraft dived into the ground, exploded, and burned.
Probable cause:
The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was an uncontrollable in-flight fire of undetermined origin, in the fuselage, which resulted in a loss of control of the aircraft.
Final Report: