Region
North America
code

USA

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680FLP in Columbia

Date & Time: Oct 17, 1980 at 2222 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Cay International
Registration:
N1167Z
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Cleveland - Columbia
MSN:
680-1499-16
YOM:
1965
Location:
Columbia
South Carolina
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
6150
Captain / Total hours on type:
225.00
Circumstances:
While descending to Columbia Airport, while initiating a last turn to intercept the glide, the pilot modified the position of the fuel selector from the auxiliary tanks to the main tank when both engines lost power. He attempted a forced landing when the airplane struck a dirt bank and crashed. Both occupants were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Engine failure on final approach due to mismanagement of fuel. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fuel starvation,
- Rough terrain,
- Both auxiliary tanks near empty.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65 Queen Air near Sula: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 17, 1980 at 1425 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 65 Queen Air
Operator:
Michael C. Joseph
Registration:
N35CS
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Yuba City – Challis – Missoula
MSN:
LC-141
YOM:
1962
Location:
Sula
Montana
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:
2600
Captain / Total hours on type:
31.00
Circumstances:
While cruising at low altitude in poor weather conditions over a mountainous area, the twin engine airplane struck the slope of a mountain near Sula, Montana. The aircraft was destroyed by a post impact fire and all three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees in normal cruise after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Snow,
- Witnesses reported low altitude flight through pass in mountainous terrain.
Final Report:

Crash of a Fairchild UC-123K Provider at Fort Sill AFB: 5 killed

Date & Time: Oct 16, 1980 at 0830 LT
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild C-123 Provider
Operator:
Registration:
57-6291
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Fort Sill - Columbus
MSN:
20301
YOM:
1957
Location:
Fort Sill-Henry Post Field AFB
Oklahoma
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Fort Sill AFB, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances. All five crew members were killed. They were en route to Columbus-Rickenbacker (Lockbourne AFB), Ohio.
Crew:
Cpt George Freeland Jr.,
Maj Thomas Brady,
Lt Col Donald Griffith,
T/Sgt Michael Snodgrass,
Sr Amn Robert Hass.

Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon in Cedar Rapids: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 16, 1980 at 0135 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 207 Skywagon/Stationair
Operator:
Air Freight Express
Registration:
N91026
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Cedar Rapids - Chicago
MSN:
207-0017
YOM:
1969
Location:
Cedar Rapids
Iowa
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:
2910
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Cedar Rapids, while cruising by night in marginal weather conditions, the single engine airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent and subsequent crash after the pilot suffered a spatial disorientation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Physical impairment,
- Alcoholic impairment of efficiency and judgment,
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Visibility half a mile or less,
- Pilot's blood alcohol level 1,06‰.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Candle

Date & Time: Oct 4, 1980 at 0815 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft E18
Operator:
International Trade & Investments
Registration:
N333FL
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Candle - Kotzebue
MSN:
BA-29
YOM:
1955
Location:
Candle
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:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2660
Captain / Total hours on type:
100.00
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll from a contaminated runway, the pilot completed the rotation prematurely. Unable to lift off, the twin engine airplane continued, overran and collided with brushes. All five occupants escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Collision with object during takeoff due to premature liftoff. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot failed to abort takeoff,
- Airport conditions: ice/slush on runway,
- Unable to lift out of ground effect.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed C-130A Hercules in McMinnville: 4 killed

Date & Time: Oct 2, 1980
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed C-130 Hercules
Operator:
Registration:
56-0504
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
3112
YOM:
1957
Location:
McMinnville
Tennessee
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a low level training flight when the airplane crashed in a field near McMinnville. All four crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control caused by the loss of the left wing leading edge.

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Frostproof

Date & Time: Sep 28, 1980 at 1800 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft D18
Operator:
Joseph Lynch
Registration:
N704D
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
A-596
YOM:
1951
Location:
Frostproof
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:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in an illegal flight and was supposed to load marijuana boxes when they decided to hurry the takeoff to avoid apprehension. The twin engine airplane struck a fence and crashed. The passenger was slightly injured while the pilot was seriously wounded.
Probable cause:
Ground loop and subsequent collision with fence due to inadequate preflight preparation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper operation of brakes and/or flight controls.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 207A Skywagon in Nikiski

Date & Time: Sep 28, 1980 at 1105 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 207 Skywagon/Stationair
Operator:
Winward Passage Aviation
Registration:
N6244H
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Nikiski - Kalgin Island
MSN:
207-0449
YOM:
1978
Location:
Nikiski
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:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2301
Captain / Total hours on type:
1203.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Nikiski Airport, the single engine airplane collided with trees and crashed. Both occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees during initial climb after the pilot misused or failed to use flaps. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Premature liftoff,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Improperly loaded aircraft,
- Downdrafts, updrafts,
- Full flaps takeoff,
- Over max gross weight.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500B in Santa Maria: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 24, 1980 at 1947 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 500
Operator:
Commander 6206
Registration:
N6206X
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Burbank - Santa Maria
MSN:
500-1072-50
YOM:
1961
Location:
Santa Maria
California
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:
1250
Captain / Total hours on type:
700.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Santa Maria, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with low ceiling and a limited visibility due to fog. He initiated a go-around manoeuvre and started a second ILS approach few minutes later. In a visibility limited to two miles or less, he failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck a mountain slope located about six miles from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with ground on final approach after the pilot attempted operation beyond experience/ability level. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper IFR operation,
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Weather slightly worse than forecast,
- Visibility 2 miles or less.
Final Report:

Crash of a Convair CV-240-6 near Okeechobee

Date & Time: Sep 22, 1980 at 0200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Convair CV-240
Operator:
Registration:
ZP-CDO
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
62
YOM:
1949
Location:
Okeechobee
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:
0
Circumstances:
The crew attempted to land by night on a cow pasture with portable lights at each end near Okeechobee. The airplane struck trees and crashed. Both occupants were no recovered and injuries presumed. It is believed this was an illegal contraband flight from Central or South America.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees and subsequent crash after the crew selected an unsuitable terrain. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The crew misjudged distance and speed,
- Failed to initiate a go-around.
Final Report:
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