Region
North America
code

USA

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 680 near Meeker: 6 killed

Date & Time: Mar 20, 1966 at 2310 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 680
Operator:
Registration:
N94T
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Location:
Meeker
Colorado
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
2300
Circumstances:
While cruising by night, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with low clouds and heavy rain falls. At cruising altitude, control was lost. The aircraft went into an uncontrolled descent and eventually crashed in an uninhabited area located in the region of Meeker. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all six occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the pilot did not receive a correct weather forecast prior to departure. Investigations revealed that he continued under VFR mode in adverse weather conditions and lost control of the airplane after suffering a spatial disorientation.
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 23 off Chicago

Date & Time: Mar 19, 1966 at 1400 LT
Type of aircraft:
Learjet 23
Operator:
Registration:
N316M
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
23-061
YOM:
1965
Location:
Chicago-Merrill C. Meigs
Illinois
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
14720
Captain / Total hours on type:
233.00
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a positioning flight to Chicago-Merrill C. Meigs Airport. On approach, both engines failed simultaneously. The airplane stalled and eventually crashed into Lake Michigan, few miles short of runway. Both pilots were rescued while the aircraft sank and was lost.
Probable cause:
It was determined that both engine failed due to icing. The crew failed to use the engine/nacelle deicing systems and improperly followed the emergency procedures. Then engine heaters were activated after the engine failure, and restart was attempted with both engine heaters on.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft King Air 90 in Greencastle: 5 killed

Date & Time: Mar 11, 1966 at 1220 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 90 King Air
Operator:
Registration:
N529N
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
LJ-112
YOM:
1966
Location:
Greencastle
Missouri
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
11000
Captain / Total hours on type:
34.00
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude, the crew informed ATC about a double engine failure and was cleared to divert to the nearest airport for an emergency landing. Unable to maintain a safe altitude, the pilot-in-command attempted to land in a field when the airplane struck trees and crashed. Four passengers and a pilot were killed while three other occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure in flight for undetermined reason. Powerplant/engines would not airstart for unknown reason.
Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-21A Goose off Reef Island: 6 killed

Date & Time: Mar 10, 1966 at 1714 LT
Type of aircraft:
Grumman G-21A Goose
Operator:
Registration:
CF-MSK
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
B032
YOM:
1943
Location:
Reef Island
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
12719
Captain / Total hours on type:
246.00
Circumstances:
The descent to Reef Island was completed in marginal weather. On approach, the aircraft struck power cables, stalled and crashed into the Portland Canal. The wreckage was located a day later and the pilot was evacuated while all six passengers were killed. The aircraft sank and was lost. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were poor with snow falls reducing the visibility to half a mile and a wind up to 35 knots.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the pilot continued the descent under VFR mode in adverse weather conditions and misjudged the altitude and clearance. Low ceiling, snow, unfavorable wind conditions and downdrafts/updrafts were considered as contributing factors.
Final Report:

Crash of a Travel Air S6000B in Ellensburg: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 4, 1966 at 1510 LT
Type of aircraft:
Travel Air 6000
Operator:
Philip L. Taylor
Registration:
N9842
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
1036
YOM:
1929
Location:
Ellensburg
Washington
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
254
Captain / Total hours on type:
5.00
Circumstances:
While cruising in poor weather conditions, control was lost and the airplane went into an uncontrolled descent before crashing in a field. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the pilot was flying under VFR mode in adverse weather conditions. Control was lost after an overload failure, causing skin and attachments failure in flight.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-7B in Miami

Date & Time: Mar 1, 1966
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-7
Operator:
Registration:
HC-AIP
Flight Phase:
Taxiing
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Miami – Quito
MSN:
45194/791
YOM:
1957
Location:
Miami-Intl
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While taxiing at Miami-Intl Airport, the four engine aircraft went out of control and came to rest into a ditch. All four crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The cause of the accident remains unknown.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 680 in Red Bluff: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 25, 1966 at 1307 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 680
Operator:
Registration:
N6820S
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
680-326-20
YOM:
1956
Location:
Red Bluff
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
2000
Captain / Total hours on type:
56.00
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude, the pilot informed ATC about an engine failure and obtained the permission to divert to Red Bluff Airport for an emergency landing. While approaching Red Bluff-Bidwell Field, the pilot was unable to maintain a safe altitude and due to an insufficient speed, the airplane stalled and crashed in a field located few miles from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reason. Failed to maintain flying speed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Hawker-Siddeley HS.125-1A in Des Moines

Date & Time: Feb 24, 1966 at 1357 LT
Type of aircraft:
BAe 125
Operator:
Registration:
N1135K
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Des Moines – Omaha
MSN:
25019
YOM:
1965
Location:
Des Moines
Iowa
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
7330
Captain / Total hours on type:
375.00
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll, the pilot-in-command attempted to rotate when an unexpected situation was encountered. The captain decided to abort the takeoff and started an emergency braking procedure. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran and struck ditches before coming to rest in a field. While all four passengers were unhurt, both pilots were seriously injured. The aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the crew who attempted to takeoff with the gust locks still engaged. Delayed action in aborting the takeoff was considered as a contributing factor.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500A in Sutter: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 6, 1966 at 1330 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 500
Operator:
Dart Aero
Registration:
N9385R
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Location:
Sutter
California
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
Captain / Total flying hours:
3500
Captain / Total hours on type:
75.00
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude, the twin engine aircraft went out of control, entered a dive and crashed in a huge explosion near Sutter, California. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon in Phoenix: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 3, 1966 at 1504 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed P-2 Harpoon
Operator:
Registration:
N7258C
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
City
Schedule:
Phoenix - Phoenix
MSN:
15-1103
YOM:
1944
Location:
Phoenix-Sky Harbor
Arizona
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
7000
Captain / Total hours on type:
250.00
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training flight at Phoenix-Sky Harbor Airport. While cruising in the vicinity of the airfield, the pilot informed ATC about an engine fire and elected to return for an emergency landing when control was lost. The airplane crash in flames into a residential area located near the airport. The airplane and three houses were destroyed. Both pilots were killed while no one on the ground was injured.
Probable cause:
Engine fire in flight for undetermined reason.
Final Report:
Subscribe to United States of America