Region
North America
code

USA

Crash of a Convair CV-240-62 in Florida

Date & Time: Jul 23, 1980
Type of aircraft:
Convair CV-240
Operator:
Registration:
HI-899
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
236
YOM:
1952
Location:
Florida
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances somewhere in Florida while engaged in an illegal flight.

Crash of a Cessna 404 Titan II in Grand Canyon: 8 killed

Date & Time: Jul 21, 1980 at 1702 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 404 Titan
Operator:
Registration:
N2683S
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Grand Canyon - Phoenix
MSN:
404-0606
YOM:
1979
Flight number:
YR306
Location:
Grand Canyon
Arizona
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Captain / Total flying hours:
2474
Captain / Total hours on type:
323.00
Aircraft flight hours:
718
Circumstances:
At 1702, Scenic Airlines flight 306, a Cessna 404, VFR commuter flight to Phoenix, crashed approximately three miles south of runway 21 after takeoff from the Grand Canyon National Park Airport. The aircraft cut a swath through a densely wooded area on a magnetic heading of 165° and came to rest upright about 230 feet from the initial point of impact with trees. Impact forces and an intense fire destroyed the aircraft. The pilot and six of the seven passengers were killed in the accident. One passenger survived the accident but died five days later as a result of thermal injuries.
Probable cause:
The probable cause of the accident was a substantial loss of power from the left engine at a critical point in the takeoff an the failure of the pilot to establish a minimum drag configuration which degraded the marginal single-engine climb performance of the aircraft. The loss of power resulted from the seizure of the turbocharger following a progressive failure of the turbine wheel blades initiated by foreign object ingestion which had occurred previous to this flight and was not detected during maintenance on the engine 4 days before the accident.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402B near Golovin: 8 killed

Date & Time: Jul 12, 1980
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
Registration:
N90238
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Nome - Unalakleet
MSN:
402B-0817
YOM:
1975
Location:
Golovin
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Captain / Total flying hours:
6145
Captain / Total hours on type:
107.00
Circumstances:
En route from Nome to Unalakleet, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with low ceiling, rain and fog. He decided to continue under VFR mode when the twin engine airplane struck the slope of a mountain. The wreckage was found a day later in a remote area. All eight occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with ground after the pilot continued VFR flight in adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Fog,
- IFR weather conditions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 401 in Spirit Lake

Date & Time: Jul 11, 1980 at 2220 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 401
Operator:
Leonard Stoller
Registration:
N3249Q
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
City
Schedule:
Dubuque - Spirit Lake
MSN:
401-0049
YOM:
1967
Location:
Spirit Lake-Lake Okoboji
Iowa
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:
1800
Captain / Total hours on type:
70.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Spirit Lake-Lake Okoboji Municipal Airport, during the last segment, one of the engine failed. The pilot decided to initiate a go-around when the airplane stalled and crashed on a residential building located near the airport, bursting into flames. The aircraft and eight condominiums were destroyed by a post crash fire. While both people on board the airplane were injured, there were no injuries on ground.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot failed to maintain flying speed,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Complete engine failure on engine,
- Single engine go-around.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31P Pressurized Navajo in Charleston: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 10, 1980 at 0858 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
Operator:
Aircraft Finance and Leasing Company
Registration:
N776SW
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Charleston - Paducah
MSN:
31-7730009
YOM:
1977
Location:
Charleston-Intl
South Carolina
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
12400
Captain / Total hours on type:
705.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Charleston-Intl Airport, while climbing, the right engine failed. The crew contacted ATC and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. The crew made a 180 turn to reach the approach path when the airplane lost height and crashed in a wooded area. A pilot was killed while five other occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot-in-command failed to follow approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Complete engine failure one engine,
- Right engine not feathered.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Turbo Commander 680V in Jackson: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 7, 1980 at 2043 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Astro Wings
Registration:
N2755H
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
New Orleans - Jackson
MSN:
680-1628-55
YOM:
1966
Location:
Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers (Allen C. Thompson)
Mississippi
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:
3000
Captain / Total hours on type:
80.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Jackson-Allen C. Thompson Airport, while established on the localizer, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed in a field located about 1,2 mile short of runway. The passenger was killed and the pilot was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled collision with ground on final approach after the pilot continued flight into known areas of severe turbulences. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Windshear,
- Turbulences associated with clouds and thunderstorms,
- Downdrafts, updrafts,
- Thunderstorm activity,
- Wind gusting 25 knots,
- Pilot received pireps of windshear, turbulences and downdrafts in vicinity of airport.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 411 off Pompano Beach

Date & Time: Jul 7, 1980 at 1502 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 411
Operator:
Kara Leasing Group
Registration:
N3CC
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
411-0033
YOM:
1964
Location:
Pompano 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:
1500
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Pompano Beach Airport, while climbing, the right engine surged. The airplane stalled and crashed into the sea close to the shore. All three occupants were injured and the aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Engine failure and subsequent stall and crash due to improper operation of powerplant and powerplant controls. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Unqualified person operated aircraft,
- The pilot failed to maintain flying speed,
- Aircraft came to rest in water,
- Partial loss of power on the right engine,
- Pilot not multi-engine rated,
- Stall warning horn on during attempt to stabilize surging right engine,
- Stayed on until impact.
Final Report:

Crash of a Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar in King Salmon

Date & Time: Jul 5, 1980 at 1208 LT
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar
Operator:
Registration:
N90268
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Kenai - King Salmon
MSN:
11219
YOM:
1953
Location:
King Salmon
Alaska
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
Captain / Total flying hours:
3568
Captain / Total hours on type:
37.00
Circumstances:
On landing at King Salmon Airport, the left engine fire warning sounded. In the meantime, an explosion occurred in the left wing tip. The crew lost control of the airplane that veered off runway and came to rest in flames. While both occupants escaped uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Fire observed in the left engine nacelle area and the left wing tip exploded for reasons that could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C18S Expeditor on Wassaw Island: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 4, 1980 at 0930 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C18S
Operator:
Marian Air Service
Registration:
N35MS
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Spraying (Agricultural)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Charleston - Kings Bay
MSN:
6947
YOM:
1944
Location:
Wassaw Island
Georgia
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:
8000
Circumstances:
The crew departed Charleston-Executive Airport (Johns Island) in the morning on a flight to Kings Bay, Georgia, taking part to a mosquito control mission. En route, the twin engine airplane went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in a wooded area located on Wassaw Island. The aircraft caught fire on impact and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent due to crew incapacitation. The aircraft was observed in shallow descent til impact. Dibrom 14 on board produces blinding fumes if atomized. Liquid chemical toxic.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65 Queen Air in Kennesaw

Date & Time: Jul 2, 1980 at 0839 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 65 Queen Air
Operator:
Sports Air
Registration:
N22PC
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Kennesaw – Atlanta – Fort Lauderdale
MSN:
LC-69
YOM:
1961
Location:
Kennesaw-Cobb County (McCollum)
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
Captain / Total flying hours:
803
Captain / Total hours on type:
20.00
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Kennesaw-McCollum Airport, the pilot encountered technical problems and elected to return. On final approach, he decided to initiate a go-around when the airplane stalled, crashed and burst into flames. The pilot was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Engine malfunction during climb to cruise and subsequent stall and crash on go-around due to improper operation of powerplant and powerplant controls on part of the pilot. The following contributing factors were reported :
- Detonation in powerplant,
- Cooling system: cowling, deteriorated,
- The pilot failed to maintain flying speed,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Complete engine failure of the right engine,
- Right side of right engine cowling seals destroyed,
- Battery not installed in aircraft.
Final Report:
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