United States of America

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

680-1561-109

YOM:

1965

Location:

Paris-Cox Field

Texas

Country:

Region:

Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

8700

Captain / Total hours on type:

63.00

Circumstances:

While cruising under VFR mode, the pilot lost control of the airplane that entered a dive and crashed near Paris, Texas. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled descent after the aircraft encountered thunderstorm activity and turbulences. Overload failure.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45G Expeditor off Fort Lauderdale

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Air Vac

Registration:

N199E

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

AF-175

YOM:

1952

Location:

Florida

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2648

Captain / Total hours on type:

94.00

Circumstances:

While cruising along the east coast of Florida, the pilot encountered serious vibrations on one engine and was forced to shut it down and to feather its propeller. He decided to divert to the nearest airport but unable to do so, he eventually ditched the aircraft offshore. Both occupants were rescued while the aircraft sank and was lost.

Probable cause:

Powerplant failure for undetermined reason.

Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Dove 1 in Colusa County

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.104 Dove

Operator:

J. Fender & Partner

Registration:

N4914V

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

04273

YOM:

1949

Location:

Colusa County

California

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2200

Captain / Total hours on type:

250.00

Circumstances:

While completing a regional executive flight, one of the engine failed in flight. The pilot decided to divert to Colusa County but on approach, his position was wrong so he decided to make a go-around when the airplane struck power cables, stalled and crashed in a field. All four occupants were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

The accident was the consequence of the following factors:
- Engine failure,
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Fuel starvation,
- Improper in-flight decision,
- Improper decision to abort landing while on single engine.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-7BF in Philadelphia

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-7

Operator:

Registration:

N762Z

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Norfolk – Philadelphia

MSN:

44922

YOM:

1956

Location:

Philadelphia

Pennsylvania

Country:

Region:

Rockwell 1121 Jet Commander

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

19616

Captain / Total hours on type:

7095.00

Circumstances:

The crew was completing a cargo flight from Norfolk to Philadelphia on behalf of the US Air Force. After touchdown on wet runway 09/27 at Philadelphia-Intl Airport, the crew encountered difficulties to decelerate properly. The four engine aircraft suffered hydroplaning then went out of control and veered off runway to the right. While contacting soft ground, the undercarriage collapsed and the right wing was torn off. The airplane came to rest in flames and was destroyed by a post crash fire while all three crew members escaped uninjured.

Probable cause:

The accident was the consequence of the following factors:
- The crew failed to maintain directional control,
- Improper operation of powerplant,
- Asymmetrical thrust reversal,
- Wet runway,
- Hydroplaning,
- Overload failure,
- Asymmetrical power applied during reversing phase of landing due to n° 1 prop circuit breaker deactivated.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell 1121 Jet Commander in Fayetteville: 1 killed

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N196KC

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Dallas - Kansas City

MSN:

1121-068

YOM:

1966

Location:

Fayetteville-Drake

Arkansas

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5700

Captain / Total hours on type:

178.00

Circumstances:

While cruising at an altitude of 41,000 feet on an executive flight from Dallas to Kansas City, the crew encountered icing conditions when both engines failed almost simultaneously. The crew declared an emergency, started a rapid descent and was cleared to divert to Fayetteville-Drake Airport. On final, the airplane stalled and crashed in a field short of runway. A passenger was killed while seven other occupants were injured, some of them seriously.

Probable cause:

The accident was the consequence of the following factors:
- Improper operation of powerplant,
- Double engine failure caused by icing conditions,
- Improper emergency procedures on part of the flying crew,
- Icing conditions, including sleet and freezing rain,
- Lack of familiarity with the aircraft,
- Improper techniques used while attempting air starts,
- The undercarriage were lowered too soon on approach.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas B-26 Invader in Show Low

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Douglas A-26 Invader

Operator:

Registration:

N8629E

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

7285

YOM:

1941

Location:

Show Low

Arizona

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

10300

Captain / Total hours on type:

700.00

Circumstances:

The pilot, sole on board, was completing a fire fighting mission in the region of show Low. While cruising at low height, the right engine lost power. The pilot shot down the engine and feathered the propeller and started to drop its retardant load when the left engine caught fire. He attempted an emergency landing when the airplane struck trees and crashed. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was seriously injured.

Probable cause:

The cause of the loss of power on the right engine could not be determined while fire on the left engine was caused by the failure of the n°11 cylinder head.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 401 in Reading: 6 killed

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 401

Operator:

Teterboro Aircraft

Registration:

N3248Q

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

401-0048

YOM:

1968

Location:

Mohrsville

Pennsylvania

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1117

Captain / Total hours on type:

12.00

Circumstances:

While cruising in marginal weather conditions, the pilot encountered severe turbulences when control was lost. The twin engine aircraft entered a dive and crashed in an open field located in Mohrsville, north of Reading. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all six occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

The pilot continued under VFR mode in adverse weather conditions and attempted operation beyond experience/ability level. Turbulence associated with clouds and/or thunderstorm activity exceeded the designed stress limits of the aircraft, causing the horizontal stabilizer to buckle on both sides from positive air loads.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 411 off Groton: 2 killed

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 411

Operator:

Buckner Company

Registration:

N4955T

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Location:

Groton

Connecticut

Country:

Region:

Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

9372

Captain / Total hours on type:

203.00

Circumstances:

While cruising by night and in foggy conditions, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed into the sea off Groton. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor both occupants was found. The wreckage was eventually localised on 15 November 1968 by a depth of 40 feet few hundred yards offshore.

Probable cause:

The exact cause of the accident could not be determined.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45H Expeditor in Hartford

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N4000Y

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Positioning

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

AF-820

YOM:

1954

Location:

Hartford-Brainard

Connecticut

Country:

Region: