United States of America

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Lander - North Platte

MSN:

101

YOM:

1968

Location:

Riverton

Wyoming

Country:

Region:

Landing (descent or approach)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1500

Captain / Total hours on type:

15.00

Circumstances:

While in cruising altitude on a flight from Lander to North Platte, Nebraska, the pilot encountered icing conditions. The airplane entered an uncontrolled descent then crashed in a field, bursting into flames. All five occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled descent and subsequent uncontrolled collision with ground after the pilot attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Airframe ice,
- Icing conditions including sleet, freezing rain,
- Pilot aware of four deferred maintenance discrepancies involving the anti-ice system,
- Moderate icing forecast.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 340A in Ketchikan: 4 killed

Date & Time: Sep 5, 1981 at 1405 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 340

Operator:

Joseph R. Gifford

Registration:

N2695A

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Heppner – Yakima – Ketchikan

MSN:

340A-0770

YOM:

1979

Location:

Ketchikan

Alaska

Country:

Region:

Rockwell Aero Commander 685

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2614

Captain / Total hours on type:

8.00

Circumstances:

While on an ILS/DME approach to Ketchikan Airport, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with low ceiling, rain falls, turbulences and thunderstorm activity. In limited visibility, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck a mountain and crashed, bursting into flames. All four occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Controlled collision with ground due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot attempted operation beyond experience/ability level,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Turbulences associated with thunderstorms.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 685 in Kansas City: 4 killed

Date & Time: Sep 4, 1981 at 1645 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Morgan Maxfield

Registration:

N777MM

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Kansas City - Rapid City

MSN:

685-12030

YOM:

1973

Location:

Kansas City

Kansas

Country:

Region:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4640

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Kansas City Airport, while climbing, the airplane suffered an engine failure. The airplane lost height and entered a spin then crashed in a field, bursting into flames. All four occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Stall and subsequent crash after engine structure failed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Lack of lubrication - specifica part, not system,
- Oil starvation,
- The pilot failed to follow approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Improperly loaded aircraft,
- Complete engine failure one engine,
- N° 4, 5, 6 main engine bearings, n°1, 2, 6 rod bearings and front prop shaft bearing failed,
- Approximately 400 lbs over max gross weight.

Final Report:

Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2-60 Marquise in McLeod: 5 killed

Date & Time: Sep 2, 1981 at 1653 LT

Type of aircraft:

Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquise

Operator:

Brigadier Industries

Registration:

N233MA

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Dallas - Thomson

MSN:

251

YOM:

1973

Location:

McLeod

Texas

Country:

Region:

Cessna 421C Golden Eagle III

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2526

Captain / Total hours on type:

155.00

Circumstances:

While cruising at an altitude of 21,000 feet, the pilot was cleared to climb to 23,000 feet when the airplane's speed dropped about 53 knots. The airplane entered a rapid descent and was observed spinning until it crashed in a field. All five occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Stall and rapid descent due to improper in-flight decisions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Airframe ice,
- The pilot failed to maintain flying speed,
- Incorrect weather briefing,
- Icing conditions including sleet, freezing rain.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421C Golden Eagle III in Rutland: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 30, 1981 at 1448 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Donald L. Stoneburner

Registration:

N6867R

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Hickory - Columbus

MSN:

421C-1088

YOM:

1981

Location:

Rutland

Ohio

Country:

Region:

Cessna 207 Skywagon/Stationair

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1500

Circumstances:

While descending to Columbus, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity. In clouds, the pilot suffered a spatial disorientation and lost control of the airplane that entered a dive. Due to overload failure, horizontal stabilizers and wings failed and the aircraft crashed in a field, bursting into flames. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Airframe failure in flight after the pilot attempted operation beyond experience/ability level. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot suffered a spatial disorientation,
- Exceeded design stress limits of aircraft,
- Wings: spars,
- Flight control surfaces: horizontal stabilizers, attachments,
- Overload failure,
- Thunderstorm activity,
- Prearranged IFR information flight with Beechcraft King Air,
- Horizontal stabilizers and wings failed downward.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna T207 Skywagon in Casper: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 21, 1981 at 1930 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Air Freight Express

Registration:

N17464

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Casper - Erie

MSN:

207-0346

YOM:

1976

Location:

Casper-Natrona County

Wyoming

Country:

Region:

Cessna 207 Skywagon/Stationair

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

6939

Captain / Total hours on type:

4673.00

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Casper-Natrona County Airport, while climbing, the single engine airplane struck trees and crash landed in a field. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Engine failure during initial climb due to fuel starvation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Poor/inadequate design,
- Powerplant, fuel system,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Improperly loaded aircraft,
- Cargo shifted,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Vapor lock,
- Approximately 310 lbs over MTOW,
- Cargo shifted at impact, crushing the pilot.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna T207A Skywagon in Grand Canyon

Date & Time: Aug 18, 1981 at 1143 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N6441H

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Grand Canyon-National Park

Schedule:

Grand Canyon - Grand Canyon

MSN:

207-0527

YOM:

1979

Location:

Arizona

Country:

Region:

Rockwell Aero Commander 685

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2690

Captain / Total hours on type:

814.00

Circumstances:

The single engine airplane departed Grand Canyon-National Park Airport on a local touristic flight with six passengers and one pilot on board. Few minutes after takeoff, the engine failed. The pilot attempted an emergency landing when the airplane crash landed in a field near Tusayan. The aircraft was destroyed and all seven occupants were seriously injured.

Probable cause:

Engine malfunction during traffic pattern-circling due to mismanagement of fuel. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fuel starvation,
- Selector valves obstructed,
- Rough/uneven terrain,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- 15-20 gallons of fuel in right tank,
- 2 gallons of fuel in left tank,
- No fuel flow from selector in right tank position.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 685 in Wrens: 5 killed

Date & Time: Aug 14, 1981 at 1211 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Sugar Mountain Aviation

Registration:

N8007H

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Ocala – Stuart – Beech Mountain

MSN:

685-12048

YOM:

1973

Location:

Wrens

Georgia

Country:

Region:

Landing (descent or approach)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

12000

Captain / Total hours on type:

330.00

Circumstances:

En route from Stuart to Beech Mountain, North Carolina, while in cruising altitude, the twin engine airplane went out of control. It entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed near Wrens, Georgia. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all five occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled descent and subsequent crash due to inadequate maintenance and supervision. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Powerplant - exhaust system: stacks, poor weld,
- Air condition, heating and pressurization system: loose, part/fitting, leak/leakage,
- PIlot incapacitation due to hypoxia,
- The aircraft did not flew ATC direction,
- Pilot blood concentration level 32%,
- Exhaust riser failed,
- Bleed-air elbow loose.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft H18 in Fort Lauderdale: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 13, 1981 at 2312 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft H18

Operator:

Joseph P. Navik

Registration:

N518K

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood

Schedule:

Fort Lauderdale - Fort Lauderdale

MSN:

BA-622

YOM:

1962

Location:

Florida

Country:

Region: