United States of America

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Rock Sound - West Palm Beach

MSN:

31-8020001

YOM:

1980

Location:

West Palm Beach

Country:

Region:

Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

6239

Captain / Total hours on type:

1300.00

Aircraft flight hours:

1442

Circumstances:

While on an over water flight, both engines lost power and the pilot ditched the aircraft at sea. Before ditching, the pilot reported that the aircraft was out of fuel, the ATC controller contacted a US Coast Guard helicopter that was on his frequency and requested assistance. The helicopter was flown to the ditching area and the downed personnel were rescued.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical
Phase of operation: cruise
Findings
1. (c) aircraft preflight - inadequate - pilot in command
2. (c) fluid - exhaustion
3. (c) fuel supply - inadequate - pilot in command
4. Aircraft performance,two or more engines - inoperative
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: landing
----------
Occurrence #3: ditching
Phase of operation: landing - flare/touchdown

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601) in New Orleans: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 30, 1983 at 1004 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Hallers Air Conditioning Maintenance

Registration:

N52AC

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Diamondhead – New Orleans

MSN:

61-0019

YOM:

1969

Location:

New Orleans-Lakefront

Louisiana

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

2809

Circumstances:

Witnesses reported that when the aircraft was stabilized on final approach, it pitched up slightly and yawed, then rolled left to an inverted attitude and crashed in a canal. Several witnesses stated that the left prop was windmilling. One stated the left prop had stopped. Two others said smoke was trailing from the aircraft. One witness stated that after the aircraft passed over his car, a fine mist of oil fell on his windshield. When the aircraft was recovered from the canal, the left prop was found in the feathered position while the right prop was near its low pitch stops. The left prop dome was found depleted of air pressure and no oil was found in the left engine case. Also, an oil film was found on the bottom of the left eng, left flap and left stabilizer. A further exam revealed that an oil interconnect line, Piper pn: 920024-811, had failed inside its fireproof covering. The hose was 8 years old, its recommended replacement interval was 5 years. It had been installed with a small bend radius. Also, the left engine had evidence of heat and wear due to lack of oil.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf
Phase of operation: approach - VFR pattern - final approach
Findings
1. (f) lubricating system,oil hose - deteriorated
2. (f) maintenance,inspection - inadequate - other maintenance personnel
3. (f) lubricating system,oil hose - life expired
4. (f) maintenance,replacement - not performed - other maintenance personnel
5. (f) lubricating system,oil hose - failure,total
6. (f) fluid,oil - loss,total
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: approach
Findings
7. (c) airspeed(vmc) - not maintained - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled

Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed P-3B-65-LO Orion at Barbers Point NAS

Date & Time: May 17, 1983

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed P-3 Orion

Operator:

Registration:

152733

Flight Phase:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Barbers Point - Barbers Point

MSN:

185-5173

YOM:

1966

Location:

Barbers Point NAS

Hawaii

Country:

Region:

Rockwell Grand Commander 680

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

For unknown reasons, the four engine airplane landed on its belly at Barbers Point NAS. It slid for few dozen yards then veered off runway and came to rest, bursting into flames. All occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680 in Titusville: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 12, 1983 at 1205 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Roger Franklin Brumley

Registration:

N6880S

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Eufaula - North Perry

MSN:

680-0403-80

YOM:

1956

Location:

Titusville

Country:

Region:

Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1700

Circumstances:

Witnesses saw the aircraft briefly before it crashed. One witness saw the aircraft flying toward a dark cloud at an unknown altitude, but too high to fly under it. Shortly thereafter, he heard the engine noise increase and decrease, then increase until it was loud. He then heard what sounded like an explosion. He did not see the crash, but saw smoke from the crash site. A woman close to the crash site said the weather was very windy, heavy rain was falling and visibility was restricted. An examination of the wreckage revealed the outboard wing panels had failed from positive overloads and the left horizontal stabilizer had failed downward. These parts were found 3/4 to 1 mile from the main wreckage. Prior to the flight, a passenger, who paid for fuel and minor maintenance, said the purpose of the flight was for surveying. However, no surveying equipment was on board. Sheriff personnel said the aircraft was under surveillance for an illegal operation.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: in flight encounter with weather
Phase of operation: cruise
Findings
1. (f) judgment - poor - pilot in command
2. (f) qualification - pilot in command
3. (c) flight into known adverse weather - initiated - pilot in command
4. (f) weather condition - thunderstorm
5. (f) weather condition - turbulence(thunderstorms)
6. (c) VFR flight into IMC - continued - pilot in command
7. (f) overconfidence in personal ability - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: cruise
Findings
8. (c) aircraft handling - not maintained - pilot in command
9. (c) spatial disorientation - pilot in command
10. (f) lack of total instrument time - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: airframe/component/system failure/malfunction
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Findings
11. (c) design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded - pilot in command
12. Wing - overload
13. Wing - separation
14. Horizontal stabilizer surface - overload
15. Horizontal stabilizer surface - separation
----------
Occurrence #4: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled

Final Report:

Crash of a Fairchild C-119F Flying Boxcar in the Kagoak River

Date & Time: May 8, 1983

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Supra International

Registration:

N13626

Flight Phase:

Taxiing

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

10836

YOM:

1951

Location:

Kagoak River

Alaska

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While taxiing on the icy Kagoak River, the airplane went through the ice and partially sank. There were no injuries.

Crash of a Convair C-131F Samaritan off Jacksonville NAS: 14 killed

Date & Time: Apr 30, 1983 at 1209 LT

Type of aircraft:

Convair C-131 Samaritan

Operator:

Registration:

141010

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Jacksonville-Towers Field NAS

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Jacksonville – Guantánamo

MSN:

293

YOM:

1955

Location:

Country:

Region:

Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Jacksonville-Towers Field NAS, while climbing, the left engine failed. The crew declared an emergency and was cleared to return. On final approach, the airplane crashed in the St Johns River about 125 yards short off shore. The aircraft came to rest in shallow waters and was destroyed. A passenger was rescued while 14 other occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Failure of the left engine during initial climb or unknown reasons.

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45H Expeditor in Fort Lauderdale

Date & Time: Apr 28, 1983 at 1935 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Green Aircraft Service

Registration:

N213S

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood

Schedule:

Bimini - Fort Lauderdale

MSN:

AF-866

YOM:

1954

Location:

Country:

Region:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

910

Captain / Total hours on type:

167.00

Aircraft flight hours:

6654

Circumstances:

The aircraft crashed in a wooded area during a forced landing following a power loss on both of its engines. The aircraft had been flown to Bimini from Opa-Locka, FL. About 75 gallons of fuel was drained from the aircraft. Upon the return to Fort Lauderdale, FL, the landing gear had to be manually operated because of a known pre-existing electrical problem. This also precluded radio communications. Upon executing a touch and go landing at Fort Lauderdale the fuel pressure lights which had been flickering now came on steady on the right engine. The pilot cut the mixture on that engine at 500 feet agl. Almost immediately the left engine light came on and it quit also. The aircraft was crash landed. Post accident examination revealed that all fuel tanks were empty. The aircraft owner said the aircraft had 145 gallons on board prior to leaving Florida. The aircraft flew about one hour and 20 minutes at 50 gallons an hour plus offloading 75 gallons at Bimini.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
1. (c) aircraft preflight - inadequate - pilot in command
2. (c) fluid,fuel - exhaustion
3. (c) fuel supply - inadequate - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: maneuvering
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: landing - flare/touchdown

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 500 Citation I in Wichita

Date & Time: Apr 26, 1983 at 1454 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 500 Citation

Operator:

Registration:

N22FM

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Wichita-Dwight D. Eisenhower (Mid-Continent)

Schedule:

Wichita - Chicago

MSN:

500-0229

YOM:

1974

Location:

Kansas

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

6725

Captain / Total hours on type:

2300.00

Aircraft flight hours:

4112

Circumstances:

The aircraft collided with the ground during takeoff. The fuel tank in the right wing ruptured and the aircraft burned while sliding to a stop. The day before the accident the aircraft was washed and the thrust reverser doors were polished. After the service, the reverser doors circuit breakers which had been pulled were not reset. It was company policy to leave circuit breakers out that were pulled during servicing. Prior to flight, the aircraft was loaded and the engines started. The reversed unlock lights on both reverser annunciator panels illuminated. The pilot discussed the situation with the copilot and elected to go. He pushed the light assemblies which unlatched the light housing and put out the 'unlock' lights. After takeoff while the gear was retracting the aircraft yawed right and impacted the ground. All occupants evacuated and after the fire was put out a Cessna Aircraft investigator observed the two thrust reverser circuit breakers in the 'out', open position and partially covered by a flight chart. Both thrust reversers were deployed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
1. (c) thrust reverser,door - unlocked
2. (c) maintenance - inadequate - company maintenance personnel
3. (c) thrust reverser,door - deployed inadvertently
4. (c) aircraft preflight - inadequate - pilot in command
5. (c) electrical system,circuit breaker - popped/tripped
6. (c) operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted - pilot in command
7. (c) annunciator panel light(s) - switched off
8. (c) checklist - not followed - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 340 in Rock Springs: 3 killed

Date & Time: Apr 26, 1983 at 1103 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 340

Operator:

Flight Brothers

Registration:

N5415M

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Rock Springs - Rock Springs

MSN:

340-0028

YOM:

1972

Location:

Rock Springs

Wyoming

Country:

Region: