Region
North America
code

USA

Crash of a Cessna 421 Golden Eagle in Palm Springs

Date & Time: Sep 19, 1980 at 1342 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 421 Golden Eagle
Operator:
Registration:
N4091L
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Palm Springs - Burbank
MSN:
421A-0091
YOM:
1968
Location:
Palm Springs
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:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3963
Captain / Total hours on type:
362.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Palm Springs Airport, while in initial climb, the pilot reported an engine failure and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. While making a turn, the twin engine airplane lost height, struck trees and crashed in a wooded area, bursting into flames. Both occupants were slightly injured.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- High obstructions,
- Forces landing off airport on land,
- Pilot stated right engine failed and propeller would not feather,
- No failures revealed by engine inspection.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680 in Newburgh: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 16, 1980 at 1411 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Registration:
N1520K
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Newburgh - Hudson
MSN:
680-0730-32
YOM:
1959
Location:
Newburgh-Stewart
New York
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:
182
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Newburgh-Stewart Airport, while in initial climb, the twin engine airplane banked right then stalled and crashed, bursting into flames. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Complete engine failure during initial climb due to improper maintenance. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper maintenance on part of the owner personnel,
- The pilot failed to maintain flying speed,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Champion RHB32E plugs installed, not approved,
- Cowl fasteners missing.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65 Queen Air in Mission

Date & Time: Sep 13, 1980 at 2200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 65 Queen Air
Operator:
Seaback Homes
Registration:
N817G
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
LC-31
YOM:
1960
Location:
Mission
Texas
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 pilot was completing a drug smuggling flight and elected to land by night and a farm road located in Mission, Texas, when the airplane struck a van and crashed. It was later deliberately set on fire and the pilot was not found.
Probable cause:
Collision with van upon landing on a farm road after the pilot selected an unsuitable terrain. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot exercised poor judgement,
- Evidence of marijuana on board,
- Injury index presumed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65 Queen Air in Clearwater: 6 killed

Date & Time: Sep 12, 1980 at 0955 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 65 Queen Air
Operator:
John Matthews
Registration:
N625GP
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Miami-Opa Locka – Saint Petersburg
MSN:
LC-210
YOM:
1966
Location:
Saint Petersburg-Clearwater
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
2479
Captain / Total hours on type:
0.00
Circumstances:
On approach to St Petersburg-Clearwater Airport, while in traffic pattern, the pilot lost control of the airplane that stalled, entered a spin and crashed. All six occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Stall after the pilot failed to maintain flying speed. His lack of familiarity with aircraft was considered as a contributing factor. He totalized zero hours on type.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 401 in Houma: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 12, 1980 at 0800 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 401
Operator:
Registration:
N444CS
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
New Orleans - Houma
MSN:
401-0093
YOM:
1969
Location:
Houma-Terrebonne
Louisiana
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:
2145
Captain / Total hours on type:
250.00
Circumstances:
The pilot started the approach to Houma-Terrebonne Airport in marginal weather conditions (visibility 3 miles or less in fog and haze). On final, the Cessna 401 collided with a Cessna 180 registered N66186. Operated by Wurzlow Flying Service, it was approaching the same airport with one passenger and one pilot on board. Following the collision, the Cessna 401 went out of control and crashed, bursting into flames. Its pilot was killed. The pilot of the Cessna 180 was able to complete an emergency landing and both occupants were slightly injured.
Probable cause:
In-flight collision on final approach after both pilots failed to see and avoid other aircraft. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fog,
- Obstructions to vision,
- Visibility 3 miles or less,
- Haze,
- Not under radar contact,
- No control area,
- Convergence angle 30°,
- Horizontal collision angle 60°,
- Anti-collision lights on.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Culpeper: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 10, 1980 at 0530 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
Operator:
Culpeper Aviation
Registration:
N6702L
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Culpeper – Chantilly – Baltimore
MSN:
31-592
YOM:
1969
Location:
Culpeper
Virginia
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:
4601
Captain / Total hours on type:
223.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after a night takeoff from Culpeper Airport, while in initial climb, the twin engine airplane baked right then lost height, struck trees and crashed in a wooded area, bursting into flames. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure during initial climb for undetermined reasons. The following findings were reported:
- High obstructions,
- Still dark at the time of the accident,
- Right engine found shut down and its propeller feathered at impact.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Gainesville

Date & Time: Sep 9, 1980 at 2322 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft E18
Operator:
International Aero Sales
Registration:
N43L
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
BA-228
YOM:
1957
Location:
Gainesville
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:
During the takeoff roll, the twin engine airplane went out of control, veered off runway and eventually collided with few others parked aircraft on the apron, bursting into flames. Both occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed. The following aircraft were substantially damaged in the ground accident: a Grumman G-21 Goose registered N33S, a Cessna 206 registered N9423G and a Beechcraft registered N9473D.
Probable cause:
Ground loop and subsequent collision with parked aircraft after the pilot failed to maintain directional control. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Improperly loaded aircraft.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45G Expeditor in Abilene

Date & Time: Sep 8, 1980 at 0154 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
Operator:
ABC Airlines
Registration:
N315WN
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Abilene - Midland
MSN:
AF-216
YOM:
1952
Location:
Abilene
Texas
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:
1589
Captain / Total hours on type:
391.00
Circumstances:
During a night takeoff roll at Abilene Airport in poor weather conditions, the pilot lost control of the airplane that ground looped. The airplane lost its undercarriage and came to a halt on its belly. The pilot, sole on board, was slightly injured.
Probable cause:
Ground loop, swerved on takeoff due to improper operation of brakes and/or flight controls on part of the pilot. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Airport conditions: wet runway,
- Unfavorable wind conditions,
- Overload failure,
- Wind gusting 20 knots.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-80 Queen Air into Lake Marian

Date & Time: Sep 7, 1980
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 80 Queen Air
Operator:
Mark Elliott
Registration:
N242Q
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
LD-42
YOM:
1962
Location:
Lake Marian
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 into Lake Marian while probably engaged in an illegal flight. The wreckage and the pilot were not found.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, as the wreckage was not found, the exact cause of the accident was not determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed P-3B-100-LO Orion at Barbers Point NAS

Date & Time: Sep 5, 1980
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed P-3 Orion
Operator:
Registration:
154591
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
185-5272
YOM:
1968
Location:
Barbers Point NAS
Hawaii
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
For unknown reasons, the four engine airplane made a wheels up landing at Barbers Point NAS. All six crew members were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
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