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USA

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45H Expeditor in Pearl Harbour: 11 killed

Date & Time: Dec 5, 1981 at 1908 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
Operator:
Jump Hawaii Club
Registration:
N8185H
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Demonstration
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Honolulu - Honolulu
MSN:
AF-381
YOM:
1953
Location:
Pearl Harbor
Hawaii
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Captain / Total flying hours:
375
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Honolulu Airport to take part to a local airshow, carrying 11 skydivers and one pilot. While making a turn toward the jump area, the airplane entered a spin. Four occupants parachuted before the airplane crashed in Pearl Harbour. Only one passenger survived the crash and was seriously injured while 11 other occupants were killed. The airplane was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The airplane stalled and entered a spin after the pilot failed to maintain flying speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Improperly loaded aircraft,
- Unqualified person operated aircraft,
- Estimated CofG 10 inches behind limit.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402C off Pacific Grove

Date & Time: Dec 3, 1981 at 1445 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
Traid-a-Plane
Registration:
N2611C
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Oakland - Honolulu
MSN:
402C-0071
YOM:
1979
Location:
Pacific Grove
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:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
6140
Captain / Total hours on type:
620.00
Circumstances:
En route from Oakland to Honolulu, both engines failed. The pilot reduced his altitude and ditch the aircraft off Pacific Grove. The pilot was rescued while the aircraft sank and was lost.
Probable cause:
engine failure in normal cruise due to fuel starvation for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fuel starvation,
- Complete failure both engines,
- Forced landing off airport on water,
- Ferry fuel system installed,
- High fuel consumption.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31T Cheyenne in Madison

Date & Time: Nov 30, 1981 at 1715 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31 Cheyenne
Operator:
SS Airways
Registration:
N15SS
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Peru - Louisville
MSN:
31T-7820068
YOM:
1978
Location:
Madison
Indiana
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
7126
Captain / Total hours on type:
1305.00
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude from Peru to Louisville, both engines failed. The pilot reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing in an open field. Upon landing, the undercarriage collapsed and the airplane came to rest on its belly. All five occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure in normal cruise due to inadequate preflight preparation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Fuel exhaustion,
- Instruments: fuel quantity gauge, erratic,
- Rough/uneven terrain,
- Complete failure of both engines,
- Forced landing off airport on land.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421C Golden Eagle III near Shoshone: 3 killed

Date & Time: Nov 21, 1981 at 2323 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 421C Golden Eagle III
Operator:
Western Broadcasting Company
Registration:
N8369G
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Salt Lake City - Hailey
MSN:
421C-0309
YOM:
1977
Location:
Shoshone
Idaho
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
33930
Captain / Total hours on type:
46.00
Circumstances:
While cruising by night from Salt Lake City to Hailey, the pilot failed to see and avoid mountainous terrain. The twin engine airplane struck the slope of a mountain and crashed near Shoshone, killing all three occupants.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with ground in normal cruise after the pilot misjudged altitude and clearance. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Dark night,
- Area forecast for mountains occasionally obscured above 7,000 - 9,000 feet.
Final Report:

Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2B-40 Solitaire off Fernandina Beach: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 19, 1981 at 1008 LT
Type of aircraft:
Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquise
Operator:
Gladstone Group
Registration:
N750MA
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Jacksonville - Jacksonville
MSN:
365
YOM:
1977
Location:
Fernandina Beach
Florida
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:
3625
Captain / Total hours on type:
152.00
Circumstances:
The crew departed Jacksonville for a local practice flight. En route, the twin engine airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed into water off Fernandina Beach, northeast of Jacksonville. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent and collision with water for undetermined reasons.
Final Report:

Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2B-35 Marquise in Wolcott: 7 killed

Date & Time: Nov 18, 1981 at 1820 LT
Type of aircraft:
Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquise
Operator:
Aldora Corporation
Registration:
N444AR
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Shreveport - Eagle
MSN:
555
YOM:
1972
Location:
Wolcott
Colorado
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Captain / Total flying hours:
5339
Captain / Total hours on type:
45.00
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Shreveport, the crew started the descent to Eagle County Airport, Colorado. By a dark night and overcast ceiling, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck the slope of a mountain and crashed near Wolcott, about 13 miles northeast of Eagle County Airport. The airplane was destroyed upon impact and all seven occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain due to improper IFR operation.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 425 Conquest in Natchez: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 18, 1981 at 0445 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 425 Conquest
Operator:
Synergistic Flights
Registration:
N425AC
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Paragould - Natchez
MSN:
425-0009
YOM:
1981
Location:
Natchez-Adams County (Hardy Ander Field)
Mississippi
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:
12182
Captain / Total hours on type:
56.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Natchez-Hardy Ander Field Airport, the pilot encountered limited visibility due to low ceiling, fog and night. Following an incorrect altimeter setting, the twin engine airplane descended too low until it struck the ground and crashed. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with ground on final approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot failed to follow approved procedures,
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Incorrect altimeter setting,
- Visibility 1/4 mile or less,
- Weather conditions below minimums,
- Altimeter setting at FSS 30.03 inches and 30.20 in aircraft,
- Crashed approximately 200 feet to the right of the localizer centerline,
- No flight plan filed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680E near Savoonga: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 7, 1981 at 1442 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Registration:
N6272B
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Postal (mail)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Gambell - Nome
MSN:
680-716-26
YOM:
1959
Location:
Savoonga
Alaska
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:
878
Captain / Total hours on type:
200.00
Circumstances:
While cruising at an altitude of 2,000 feet in marginal weather conditions on a mail flight from Gambell to Nome, the twin engine airplane struck the slope of a mountain and crashed. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with ground after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Adverse winds aloft,
- Sky overcast 500 to 600 feet.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon near Skwentna: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 6, 1981 at 1305 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 207 Skywagon/Stationair
Operator:
Registration:
N91083
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Galena - Anchorage
MSN:
207-0064
YOM:
1969
Location:
Skwentna
Alaska
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:
3400
Captain / Total hours on type:
210.00
Circumstances:
On a flight from Galena to Anchorage, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions. While flying in whiteout conditions with snow falls, the single engine airplane struck the ground and crashed, killing both occupants.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with ground in normal cruise after the pilot continued VFR flight in adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot failed to follow approved procedures,
- Snow,
- Whiteout conditions,
- Weather slightly worse than forecast,
- Operator cautioned pilot against using mystic pass,
- Drug screen positive for cannabinoids and acetaminophen.
Final Report:

Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2B-60 Marquise in Saratoga: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 5, 1981 at 1730 LT
Type of aircraft:
Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquise
Operator:
Arapahoe Drilling Company
Registration:
N53AD
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Saratoga - Albuquerque
MSN:
776
YOM:
1980
Location:
Saratoga-Shively Field
Wyoming
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:
16600
Captain / Total hours on type:
5000.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Saratoga-Shively Field, while in initial climb, the twin engine airplane crashed in a right descending turn, bursting into flames. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled collision with ground for unknown reasons. Density altitude 6,900 feet. No pre-accident malfunction or failure found.
Final Report:
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