Region
North America
code

USA

Crash of a Cessna 401 in Muskegon: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jun 30, 1981 at 1811 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 401
Operator:
G & W Aviation
Registration:
N7957F
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Muskegon - Pontiac
MSN:
401-0219
YOM:
1969
Location:
Muskegon
Michigan
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
10202
Captain / Total hours on type:
1650.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Muskegon-County Airport, while in initial climb, the twin engine airplane lost height and crashed thru the extended centerline of the nearest runway. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure during initial climb for unknown reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot failed to follow approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 404 Titan in Belton: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 30, 1981 at 1125 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 404 Titan
Operator:
Registration:
N6810N
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Test
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Wichita - Wichita
MSN:
404-0853
YOM:
1981
Location:
Belton
Missouri
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:
6500
Captain / Total hours on type:
500.00
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, departed Wichita on a test flight. En route, the twin engine airplane entered a steep descending turn then crashed in a field located in Belton, south of Kansas City, Missouri. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent and subsequent crash due to pilot incapacitation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Moderate obese pilot,
- High blood pressure,
- Witnesses reported pilo looked tired,
- Speech slurred.
Final Report:

Crash of a Fairchild C-119G Flying Boxcar in Bettles

Date & Time: Jun 27, 1981 at 2215 LT
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar
Operator:
Registration:
N8682
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Fire fighting
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Bettles - Fort Yukon
MSN:
10859
YOM:
1952
Flight number:
Tanker 138
Location:
Bettles
Alaska
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
Circumstances:
En route from Bettles to Fort Yukon on a fire fighting mission, the airplane was climbing when the right engine caught fire and exploded. The captain ordered the four passengers (firefighters) and the copilot to evacuate the cabin and the captain, sole on board, attempted an emergency landing on a sandbar located near the Kayokuk River. All six occupants were rescued while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fire in engine,
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection,
- Loose gravel,
- Sandy terrain,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Unknown intern fire in right engine,
- Unfeathered propeller.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3-209A in West Deering

Date & Time: Jun 24, 1981 at 0850 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-3
Operator:
Nathaniel Hawthorne College
Registration:
N18949
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
West Deering – Melbourne
MSN:
2013
YOM:
1937
Location:
West Deering-Hawthorne-Feather Airpark
New Hampshire
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
Aircraft flight hours:
85591
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from West Deering-Hawthorne-Feather Airpark, the twin engine airplane encountered difficulties to gain height and rolled left and right. It struck trees, stalled and crashed in a wooded area, bursting into flames. Both crew members were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Stall during initial climb after the crew failed to obtain flying speed. Witnesses stated that the aircraft lifted off approximately 1,700 feet from start in a three point attitude.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon in Denali National Park: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jun 23, 1981
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 207 Skywagon/Stationair
Operator:
Registration:
N6331H
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Anchorage - Anchorage
MSN:
207-0486
YOM:
1979
Location:
Denali National Park
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
3500
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane departed Anchorage on an on-demand charter flight over the Denali National Park, carrying one pilot and four tourists. While flying between 8,000 and 13,000 feet near circular end of box canyon, the pilot flew into blind canyon when the airplane struck peaks obscured by clouds and crashed. The wreckage was found few hours later and all five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with ground due to improper in-flight decisions on part of the pilot. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot misjudged distance, speed, altitude or clearance,
- Flew into blind canyon,
- High density altitude,
- Peaks obscured by clouds.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-61P Aerostar (Ted Smith 601) in Oxford: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 22, 1981 at 2115 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601)
Operator:
Stuart J. Steele
Registration:
N86BW
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Oxford - Manchester
MSN:
61-0468-185
YOM:
1978
Location:
Oxford-Waterbury
Connecticut
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:
8500
Captain / Total hours on type:
200.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Oxford Airport, one of the engine failed. The pilot initiated a right turn when the airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed, bursting into flames. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot failed to follow approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Complete engine failure one engine.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600) off Honolulu: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 19, 1981
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600)
Operator:
Registration:
ZK-EHR
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Delivery
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
60-0312-116
YOM:
1977
Location:
Honolulu
Hawaii
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
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was completing a delivery flight, the airplane being transferred to its new owner. In unclear circumstances, the aircraft crashed into the sea off Honolulu. Despite intensive search, the aircraft and the pilot were not recovered.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the cause of the accident could not be determined.

Crash of a Beechcraft G18S in New Cumberland

Date & Time: Jun 12, 1981 at 2222 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft G18S
Operator:
Aero Taxi - USA
Registration:
N547DA
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
New Cumberland - Columbus
MSN:
BA-599
YOM:
1962
Location:
New Cumberland
Pennsylvania
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:
7070
Captain / Total hours on type:
1455.00
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at New Cumberland Airport, the pilot decided to abort the takeoff due to technical issues on the left engine. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran, struck a moving vehicle on a road and crashed. The pilot was slightly injured while no one on the ground was injured.
Probable cause:
Engine failure or malfunction during takeoff due to blower, impeller assembly failure. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Material failure,
- Complete engine failure,
- Left engine supercharger,
- Rear bearing failed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500 near Flagler Beach: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 11, 1981 at 0202 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 500
Operator:
A. W. Hirshberg
Registration:
N711MK
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
500-0810
YOM:
1959
Location:
Flagler Beach
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:
1
Circumstances:
While flying at low height by night, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed near Flagler Beach, bursting into flames. The passenger was killed in the accident while the pilot was not found. Injury is presumed. The aircraft was destroyed. A load of marijuana was found in the wreckage.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees after the pilot exercised poor judgment and unwarranted low flying.
Final Report:

Crash of a Swearingen SA226T Merlin III in Cameron: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 10, 1981 at 2100 LT
Type of aircraft:
Swearingen SA226T Merlin III
Operator:
Registration:
N555AM
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
T-201
YOM:
1970
Location:
Cameron
Louisiana
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
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity. The pilot-in-command suffered a spatial disorientation and lost control of the aircraft that entered a dive and crashed into gulf of Mexico off Cameron. Both occupants were killed. They were engaged in an illegal smuggling flight.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent and subsequent crash after the pilot-in-command continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot-in-command suffered a spatial disorientation,
- Thunderstorm activity,
- Aircraft came to rest in water,
- Aircraft loaded with marijuana,
- Severe thunderstorm in progress.
Final Report:
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