Crash of a Rockwell 1121 Jet Commander in Platte: 5 killed

Date & Time: Sep 26, 1966 at 1217 LT
Registration:
N500JR
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Platte - Platte
MSN:
1121-065
YOM:
1966
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
5200
Captain / Total hours on type:
200.00
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Platte Airport for a local pleasance flight with four passengers and a pilot on board. While flying in marginal weather conditions, the airplane was approaching the Robbins Ranch at low height when control was lost. The airplane overturned then crashed in an open field, killing all five occupants. At the time of the accident, weather was slightly worse than forecasted with low ceiling and rain.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the loss of control could not be determined. However, the assumption that the pilot suffered a spatial disorientation was not ruled out.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Charlevoix: 3 killed

Date & Time: Sep 25, 1966 at 1812 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N3721B
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
BA-49
YOM:
1955
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
1690
Captain / Total hours on type:
304.00
Circumstances:
While taking off from Charlevoix Airport, the twin engine aircraft encountered difficulties to gain height. It struck an embankment, went through a railway road and crashed in flames. Both pilots were seriously injured and both passengers were killed. More than three weeks later, on October 14, the captain died from his injuries. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
Improper operation of brakes and/or flight controls and part of the pilot-in-command who failed to abort the takeoff procedure. Inadequate supervision of flight.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560 in Las Vegas: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 18, 1966 at 0928 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N280E
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
560-207
YOM:
1955
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
16754
Captain / Total hours on type:
10.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Las Vegas-McCarran Airport, while in initial climb, both engines lost power. The pilot informed ATC and requested permission to return for a safe landing but realized it would not be possible. He raised the undercarriage and attempted a belly landing in an open field. The airplane crash landed near the airport and came to rest. The pilot was killed and all five passengers were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Partial loss of power on both engines due to fuel contamination with water. Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot. The aircraft was improperly loaded as at the time of the accident, it was overloaded by 532 pounds.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed 14-N3 Super Electra in Medford

Date & Time: Sep 17, 1966 at 1456 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N18138
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Medford - Medford
MSN:
1416
YOM:
1938
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
6360
Captain / Total hours on type:
224.00
Circumstances:
The crew was involved in a local test flight and the twin engine airplane was used for an electronic test project mission. For such program, a special authorisation was granted to use the aircraft in an overweight configuration. After liftoff, during initial climb, the airplane encountered difficulties to gain height and its speed was too low. It stalled, struck the ground and crashed in flames. All four occupants were slightly injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Premature liftoff on part of the pilot-in-command and failure to maintain flying speed.
Final Report:

Ground explosion of a Lockheed C-141A-LM Starlifter at McChord AFB: 3 killed

Date & Time: Sep 7, 1966
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
65-0281
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
6133
YOM:
1965
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
On 7 September, 1966, 65-0281 was the first C-141 destroyed. It blew up while simultaneous hazardous maintenance procedures were being performed. Three maintenance members were killed in an explosion of the Right Extended Range tank. The Wing at McChord had recently converted to the StarLifter. The first aircraft had arrived on 9 August 1966. This aircraft, 65-0281, was the third C-141 to be stationed at McChord, and had arrived on base just a week before, on 29 August, 1966. The maintenance teams had minimal practical experience with the new airplane. It was having multiple maintenance difficulties. The Right Extended Range Tank feel gage was erratic, and the AC "Power On" Light was inop. Two electricians were in the cockpit working on the "Power On" Light. A Maintenance Team Chief was also in the cockpit with three trainees. In addition, he was supervising a maintenance team on another aircraft. The Assistant Team Chief had started de-fueling the Right Extended Range Tank to prepare it for troubleshooting. The other fuel tanks were full. Two additional technicians arrived to work on the fuel gage before the de-fueling was complete. One of the electrical technicians connected testing equipment to the fuel tank but failed to ground it. The other technician plugged an extension cord into the external 115V AC receptacle of the APU. The live extension cord apparently came in contact with the case of the test equipment. Electricity flowed through the case, up the cables into the tank. Due to a short in the coaxial shielding a spark was created within the nearly empty tank. The right wing exploded. The Assistant Team Chief standing under the wing, and the technician on the wing were killed almost immediately. One of the technicians in the cockpit was badly burned while exiting the right troop door into a burning pool of JP-4. He died a few days later. The others on the aircraft received only minor injuries.
Source:
http://www.c141heaven.info/dotcom/65/pic_65_0281.php

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45H in Alamosa

Date & Time: Sep 2, 1966 at 1105 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N111Z
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
AF-594
YOM:
1953
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2730
Captain / Total hours on type:
50.00
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Alamosa Airport, the pilot raised the landing gear prematurely, causing the aircraft to crash on runway. All six occupants were slightly injured while the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
Improper level off and premature retraction of the landing gear on part of the pilot.
Final Report:

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina off Highland Park

Date & Time: Aug 27, 1966 at 0935 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N331RS
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
2072
YOM:
1944
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3800
Captain / Total hours on type:
61.00
Circumstances:
The crew was completing landing practices onto Lake Michigan. Upon landing off Highland Park, Illinois, the left pontoon struck an unknown floating object, causing a rupture of the fuselage. The airplane came to rest and sank rapidly. Both pilots were quickly rescued.
Probable cause:
Collision with submerged object. Foreign object damage.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C18S off Annette Island

Date & Time: Aug 23, 1966 at 1315 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N4711V
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
4269
YOM:
1943
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
11000
Captain / Total hours on type:
400.00
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude along Annette Island, both engines failed simultaneously. Unable to divert to the nearest airport, the pilot reduced his altitude and ditched the aircraft off the island. The airplane slid for several yards and came to rest. All 11 occupants were quickly rescued while the aircraft was lost.
Probable cause:
Failure of both engines in flight due to fuel exhaustion. Improper in-flight decisions or planning on part of the pilot who miscalculated the fuel consumption.
Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-21A Goose near Juneau: 9 killed

Date & Time: Aug 21, 1966 at 1035 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N88820
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
1114
YOM:
1941
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Captain / Total flying hours:
9230
Captain / Total hours on type:
2492.00
Circumstances:
En route, the seaplane went into an uncontrolled descent and crashed in flames in a glacier located in the region of Juneau. The wreckage was found few hours later in a crevasse and all nine occupants have been killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined as hazardous location precluded on scene investigation.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C18S near Anchorage: 4 killed

Date & Time: Aug 15, 1966 at 1845 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N445
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
8229
YOM:
1945
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
3519
Captain / Total hours on type:
617.00
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude, the pilot lost control of the airplane that entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control in flight following a fatigue fracture and the separation in flight of the right wing. The fatigue fracture occurred adjacent to the landing gear slide cluster. The aircraft was properly maintained.
Final Report: