Region
North America
code

USA

Crash of a Rockwell Shrike Commander 500S in Healy

Date & Time: Aug 12, 1981 at 1000 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Shrike Commander 500
Operator:
Registration:
N5075E
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Healy - Anchorage
MSN:
500-1855-37
YOM:
1968
Location:
Healy
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:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5500
Captain / Total hours on type:
58.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Healy, while climbing, the pilot lost control of the airplane that struck trees and crashed near the airport. The pilot was injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees during initial climb due to inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Unfavorable wind conditions,
- Wind gusting 20 knots at airport,
- Wind variable and gusting 50 knots approximately 1,5 mile either side of airport.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 404 Titan in St Simons Island

Date & Time: Aug 11, 1981
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 404 Titan
Operator:
Registration:
N2684L
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
404-0610
YOM:
1979
Location:
St Simons Island
Georgia
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
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in a swampy area located near Frederica River, St Simons Island, Georgia. The wreckage was found partially submerged and the pilot was not found. It is believed the airplane crashed after becoming entangled with a trawler net. Injury index presumed.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I in Long Beach

Date & Time: Aug 9, 1981 at 1800 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I
Operator:
R. J. Mellon
Registration:
N19RJ
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Las Vegas - Long Beach
MSN:
421A-0192
YOM:
1968
Location:
Long Beach
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2000
Captain / Total hours on type:
70.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Long Beach, both engines flames out. The pilot attempted an emergency landing when the airplane struck power cables and a fence before coming to rest. All four occupants escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure during traffic pattern and subsequent collision with wires/poles due to mismanagement of fuel. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fuel starvation,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Found main fuel tanks empty,
- Auxiliary tanks nearly full.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65 Queen Air in Spirit Lake

Date & Time: Aug 7, 1981 at 1720 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 65 Queen Air
Operator:
Registration:
N805Q
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Rockford – Spirit Lake
MSN:
LC-16
YOM:
1960
Location:
Spirit Lake-Lake Okoboji
Iowa
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
21500
Captain / Total hours on type:
7820.00
Circumstances:
On short final to Spirit Lake-Lake Okoboji Airport, the left engine failed. The airplane lost height and struck the runway surface. Out of control, it veered off runway and collided with a fence, bursting into flames. The aircraft was destroyed and all six occupants were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot failed to follow approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- The pilot failed to maintain flying speed,
- Complete engine failure,
- Propeller slash marks 21 inches apart,
- Propeller not feathered.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in Ketchikan

Date & Time: Aug 7, 1981 at 1030 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver
Operator:
South East Alaska Airlines
Registration:
N31618
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Ketchikan - Ketchikan
MSN:
858
YOM:
1956
Location:
Ketchikan
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1671
Captain / Total hours on type:
541.00
Circumstances:
While returning to Ketchikan following a local touristic charter flight in the region, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions. In limited visibility due to fog, he lost his orientation then the control of the float equipped aircraft that crashed, bursting into flames. All six occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent and uncontrolled collision with ground after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot became lost/disoriented,
- The pilot suffered a spatial disorientation,
- Fog,
- Visibility down to zero.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31 Navajo near Homestead

Date & Time: Aug 5, 1981
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
Operator:
Registration:
N7946
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Location:
Homestead AFB
Florida
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
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in a canal near Homestead. The aircraft ground looped and came to rest in water. It was unable to contact the registered owner and injury index is presumed.
Probable cause:
The pilot failed to maintain directional control.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon near Dillingham: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 4, 1981 at 1145 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 207 Skywagon/Stationair
Operator:
Registration:
N9552M
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Dillingham - Togiak
MSN:
207-0702
YOM:
1981
Location:
Dillingham
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:
3704
Captain / Total hours on type:
173.00
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Dillingham, the single engine airplane stalled and crashed in a canyon, bursting into flames. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Stall in flight after the pilot failed to maintain flying speed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor near Livengood: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 1, 1981 at 1425 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
Operator:
Aurora Air Services
Registration:
N9826Z
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Barrow - Fairbanks
MSN:
AF-305
YOM:
1953
Location:
Livengood
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:
11028
Captain / Total hours on type:
530.00
Circumstances:
While cruising in poor weather conditions on a cargo flight from Barrow to Fairbanks, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed in a wooded and hilly terrain located near a pipeline, in the region of Livengood. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees and subsequent crash after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Rain.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31T Cheyenne in Richlands: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jul 29, 1981 at 1030 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31 Cheyenne
Operator:
Registration:
N47CC
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Birmingham - Asheboro - Richlands
MSN:
31-7820016
YOM:
1978
Location:
Richlands
Virginia
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:
11000
Circumstances:
While descending to Richlands Airport, the pilot cancelled his IFR flight plan and continued under VFR in marginal weather conditions. About one minute later, the twin engine airplane struck the slope of an obscured mountain ridge and crashed. All three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with ground due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- No published instrument approach at destination.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-B80 Queen Air in Groveland: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 28, 1981
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 80 Queen Air
Operator:
Registration:
N1028C
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
LD-355
YOM:
1967
Location:
Groveland
Florida
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:
8000
Circumstances:
While taking off from an unsuitable terrain in Groveland, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed in a wooded and sandy area, bursting into flames. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees due to an inadequate preflight preparation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot delayed action in aborting takeoff,
- High vegetation,
- Sandy ground,
- Isolated area with narrow road down center,
- Weeds and brush on strip 12 inches high,
- Soft sand.
Final Report:
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