Region
North America
code

USA

Crash of a Grumman C-1A Trader off San Clemente Island NAS: 4 killed

Date & Time: Aug 15, 1980
Type of aircraft:
Grumman C-1A Trader
Operator:
Registration:
146046
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
76
YOM:
1958
Location:
San Clemente Island NAS
California
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 twin engine airplane was returning to San Clemente Island-Naval Auxiliary Landing Field following a routine maritime patrol flight when it crashed into the sea in unknown circumstances, few miles offshore. All four crew members were killed.

Crash of a Cessna 401B in Tewksbury: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 12, 1980 at 0937 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 401
Operator:
Meriden Airways
Registration:
N2ST
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Meriden - Tewksbury
MSN:
401B-0008
YOM:
1969
Location:
Tewksbury-Tew Mac
Massachusetts
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:
1650
Captain / Total hours on type:
59.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Tewksbury-Tew Mac Airport, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with limited visibility. While inbound from local VOR, the pilot was supposed to follow 224° heading to Tew Mac Airfield but mistakenly followed the 244° heading. In limited visibility due to low ceiling, rain and fog, the twin engine airplane struck a radio tower and crashed, bursting into flames. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Collision with electronic tower on final approach due to improper IFR operation on part of the pilot-in-command. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Fog,
- Visibility 3/4 mile or less,
- Weather conditions below minimums,
- Wrong approach heading.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna T207 Skywagon near Salmon: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 11, 1980 at 1945 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 207 Skywagon/Stationair
Operator:
Registration:
N91115
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Salmon - Indian Creek
MSN:
207-0078
YOM:
1969
Location:
Salmon
Idaho
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:
1187
Captain / Total hours on type:
70.00
Circumstances:
On a cargo flight from Salmon to Indian Creek, the pilot made a detour to fly over a large game as the passenger was an avid hunter. While cruising at low altitude and low speed, the single engine airplane stalled, crashed and burst into flames. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Stall after the pilot failed to maintain flying speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Unwarranted low flying,
- High density altitude, about 9,000 feet,
- The crash site was not on the planned route.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Fort Lauderdale: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 10, 1980 at 2020 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain
Operator:
V. G. Livingston
Registration:
N27906
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Test
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Fort Lauderdale - Fort Lauderdale
MSN:
31-7952038
YOM:
1979
Location:
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood
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:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
186
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport, the twin engine airplane sank on its belly, slid for several yards and came to rest in flames on the runway. The airplane burst into flames and was quickly destroyed by fire. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot-in-command retracted the gear prematurely, causing the aircraft to crash on its belly. All propellers damaged due to contact with runway surface.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500B near Salmon: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 5, 1980 at 1530 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 500
Operator:
Registration:
N184Z
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Salmon - McCall
MSN:
500-1627-216
YOM:
1966
Location:
Salmon
Idaho
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
Captain / Total flying hours:
8124
Captain / Total hours on type:
65.00
Circumstances:
The pilot and the passenger were engaged in a survey flight from Salmon to McCall. While flying at low height, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed in a dense wooded area. While the passenger was seriously injured, the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees and subsequent crash after the pilot misjudged distance, speed and altitude. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Flew into blind canyon,
- Downdrafts, updrafts,
- High density altitude,
- High obstructions,
- Pilot not experienced in fixed-wing mountain flying.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-3 Otter near Togiak: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 3, 1980 at 1615 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-3 Otter
Operator:
Registration:
N433GR
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Togiak – Dillingham
MSN:
291
YOM:
1959
Location:
Togiak
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
3400
Captain / Total hours on type:
300.00
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Togiak while on a taxi flight to Dillingham, the pilot encountered foggy conditions in a valley. He attempted to make a climb turn when the airplane struck the slope of a mountain. The pilot and a passenger were killed while seven other occupants were injured. The aircraft was totally destroyed.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with ground in normal cruise after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Fog.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas R4D-5 in New Smyrna Beach

Date & Time: Aug 1, 1980 at 1647 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Jerry Rule
Registration:
N45864
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
New Smyrna Beach – Oranjestad
MSN:
9304
YOM:
1943
Location:
New Smyrna Beach
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3500
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at New Smyrna Beach Airport, en route to Oranjestad, the pilot-in-command lost control of the airplane that veered off runway, collided with trees and burst into flames. All three occupants escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Ground loop during takeoff run after the pilot failed to maintain directional control. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot failed to abort takeoff,
- Physical impairment,
- Alcoholic impairment of efficiency and judgment,
- Unqualified person operated aircraft,
- Pilot's blood level 1,5‰ ,
- Pilot did not have a type certificate and attempted flight without copilot.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 404 Titan near Fort White: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 30, 1980 at 2315 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 404 Titan
Operator:
First Interamerica Corporation
Registration:
N37097
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
La Guajira - Fort White
MSN:
404-0105
YOM:
1977
Location:
Fort White
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:
1000
Captain / Total hours on type:
50.00
Circumstances:
While on an illegal flight from Colombia, carrying a load of cocaine, the pilot attempted to land in a rural area near Fort White when the airplane struck trees and crashed in an isolated zone. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees during a low pass after the pilot misjudged altitude. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Physical impairment,
- Pilot fatigue,
- Cocaine paste on board,
- Pilot's toxicology showed cocaine, methaqualone blood, urine.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680FLP near Iola: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 25, 1980 at 1310 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Flying Eagles
Registration:
N6515V
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
680-1599-25
YOM:
1966
Location:
Iola
Texas
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
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft has been stolen in an airport and used for marijuana transportation. En route, one of the engine stopped due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed in a prairie near Iola, Texas. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled collision with ground following an engine failure in flight due to inadequate preflight preparation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions on part of the pilot,
- Fuel exhaustion,
- Stolen aircraft,
- Complete failure one engine,
- Owner reported aircraft stolen,
- 935 lbs of marijuana found in aircraft,
- CofG approximately 5 inches behind aft limit.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Philadelphia: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jul 25, 1980 at 0713 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain
Operator:
Registration:
N5MS
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Reading - Philadelphia
MSN:
31-7405138
YOM:
1974
Flight number:
501
Location:
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
3670
Captain / Total hours on type:
117.00
Circumstances:
The aircraft crashed while making a visual approach to runway 27R at Philadelphia International Airport. The aircraft, a scheduled commuter flight from Reading, Pennsylvania, arrived in the Philadelphia Approach Control area as a VFR 'pop up' flight and was sequenced to land behind United flight 555, a Boeing 727 IFR arrival, on runway 27R. Witnesses stated that, when flight 501 was about 1/2 mile on final approach, it rolled from side to side, pitched up, rolled inverted to the left, and flew into the ground nose first. All three persons aboard the aircraft were killed and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The probable cause of the accident was the loss of aircraft control due to an encounter with wake turbulence from the preceding aircraft at an altitude too low for recovery and the pilot's failure to follow established separation and flight path selection procedures for wake turbulence avoidance.
Final Report:
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