Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Grand Island: 2 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N277W
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
A-0825
YOM:
1952
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
6200
Captain / Total hours on type:
500.00
Circumstances:
While on a night approach to runway 35, the crew encountered low visibility due to low ceiling and fog. On final, the pilot-in-command lost control of the airplane that crashed few miles short of runway. Both occupants were killed and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control caused by a spatial disorientation. Inadequate maintenance and inspection was a contributing factor.
Final Report:

Crash of a Fairchild C-123K Provider at Duke Field: 4 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
55-4518
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Duke - Duke
MSN:
20179
YOM:
1955
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training mission at Duke Field, Florida. Following several touch-and-go manoeuvres, the crew completed a circuit at low height to start a new approach when, during a last turn, the airplane stalled and crashed in flames half a mile short of runway threshold. The airplane was destroyed and all four crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the approach speed was too low, causing the aircraft to stall during the last turn at low height. The distance between the aircraft and the ground was insufficient to expect recovery.

Crash of a North American B-25 Mitchell in Sitka

Date & Time:
Operator:
Registration:
N7707C
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
108-33965
YOM:
1944
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3734
Captain / Total hours on type:
58.00
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight, the crew completed the landing procedure on a snow covered runway at Sitka Airport. After touchdown, the airplane went out of control, veered off runway and collided with a rock pile. While all three occupants escaped uninjured, the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire. The aircraft was owned by Fred Lewis and Fred Zax.
Probable cause:
The crew failed to maintain directional control after landing due to snow on runway. The crew decided to attempt the flight with known deficiencies in equipment as the aircraft was poorly equipped with unreliable radios and the cockpit light failed in flight. At the time of the accident, the runway was covered with one inch of snow.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Tobaccoville: 6 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N9098Y
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
31-134
YOM:
1968
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
9000
Captain / Total hours on type:
31.00
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training flight and was simulating stalls at low height when control was lost. The twin engine airplane entered a flat spin and crashed in an open field located near Tobaccoville. All six occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot-in-command failed to obtain/maintain flying speed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanker at Minot AFB: 13 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
58-0026
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Minot - Glasgow
MSN:
17771/241
YOM:
1959
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
13
Aircraft flight hours:
4996
Circumstances:
The departure from Minot AFB to Glasgow was attempted in a snowstorm. At liftoff, the four engine airplane went out of control and crashed in flames within the runway edge. The airplane was destroyed and all 13 occupants were killed, among them Maj Gen Charles M. Eisenhart who was completing a troop's check.
Probable cause:
It is believe the pilot-in-command over-rotated for unknown reason.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500S in Murray: 1 killed

Date & Time:
Registration:
N6248B
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
500-637-3
YOM:
1958
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
15541
Captain / Total hours on type:
445.00
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions. Two other aircraft return to their base while the pilot of N6248B decided to continue. While cruising at low height in fog, the airplane struck a radio antenna (406 feet high) and crashed in an open field. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot took the decision to continue under VFR mode in adverse weather conditions. An incorrect altimeter setting was considered as a contributing factor.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft H18 in Norwich

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N909T
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
BA-722
YOM:
1965
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5500
Captain / Total hours on type:
2500.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Norwich-Lieutenant Eaton Airport, one of the engine failed. The crew increased power on the remaining engine when the airplane stalled and crashed in an open field. Both occupants were quickly rescued while the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
Improper operation of powerplant controls. The crew failed to use the anti-icing/deicing equipment while approaching the airport in icing conditions. An engine failed after encountering conditions conducive to carburetor/induction system icing. The captain attempted to restart the right engine on final approach while the copilot has no experience on aircraft. Control was lost.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas R5D-2 on Mt Tobin: 19 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
50850
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Quantico - Buckley - Seattle
MSN:
10427
YOM:
1944
Location:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
12
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
19
Circumstances:
While cruising at an altitude of 12,000 feet on a flight from Buckley AFB, Denver, and Seattle, the navigator informed ATC about difficulties to maintain the assigned altitude and was cleared to descend to 10,500 feet. Few minutes later, the copilot reported icing conditions to ATC and requested the permission to gain altitude. About 20 minutes later, while cruising at the altitude of 10,000 feet in marginal weather conditions, the four engine airplane struck the slope of Mt Tobin (2,980 meters high). The wreckage was found few hours later about 300 meters below the summit and all 19 occupants have been killed.
Probable cause:
It is believed the accident was not the consequence of icing conditions but a loss of control caused by atmospheric downdrafts.

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in San Diego: 3 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N82B
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
BA-149
YOM:
1956
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
7224
Captain / Total hours on type:
477.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Lindbergh Field, while climbing at a height of 50 feet, the pilot made a sharp turn when the aircraft stalled and crashed ion flames. A passenger was seriously injured while three other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure after rotation caused by a cracked shroud on the third stage stator assembly due to fatigue fracture. The pilot used minimum runway length for takeoff and minimum takeoff speed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Martin 404 in Oxford

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N251S
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
14243
YOM:
1952
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
9500
Captain / Total hours on type:
1400.00
Circumstances:
During a night approach to Oxford-University Airport, the visibility was reduced and the copilot-in-command failed to realize his altitude was too low. The aircraft struck the ground short of runway threshold, lost its undercarriage and came to rest. All three crew members were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The copilot misjudged distance and altitude on final approach. Inadequate supervision of flight on part of the captain. There were no runway approach lights at the time of the accident.
Final Report: