United States of America

Region:

Florida Aircraft Exchange

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

8600

Captain / Total hours on type:

5000.00

Circumstances:

The pilot, on a cargo flight from Youngstown to Pontiac, decided to make a low pass over his mother's house. By night, the airplane struck tree tops and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed. He was the leader of a formation of three aircraft when the accident occurred.

Probable cause:

Collision with trees after the pilot misjudged clearance. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Exercised poor judgment,
- Unwarranted low flying,
- Inadequate supervision of flight crew.

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in LaBelle: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 28, 1979 at 0330 LT

Type of aircraft:

Piper PA-31-310 Navajo

Operator:

Registration:

N6478L

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

31-358

YOM:

1968

Location:

LaBelle

Country:

Region:

Bay Aerostar Sales & Service

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2200

Captain / Total hours on type:

40.00

Circumstances:

The crew was completing an illegal flight and was attempted to land near LaBelle by night and ground fog when the airplane struck trees and crashed. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Collision with trees during go-around after the crew selected an unsuitable terrain. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Misjudged distance, speed, altitude and clearance,
- Fog,
- VFR flight,
- Pilot-in-command did not possess a multi engine rating,
- Narcotics contraband flight,
- Local ground fog.

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31T-620 Cheyenne II in Elyria: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 27, 1979 at 1150 LT

Type of aircraft:

Piper PA-31 Cheyenne

Operator:

Registration:

N82282

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Elyria - Elyria

MSN:

31-7820055

YOM:

1978

Location:

Elyria-Lorain County

Ohio

Country:

Region:

Cessna 421C Golden Eagle III

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3510

Captain / Total hours on type:

8.00

Circumstances:

The crew (an instructor and a student pilot) was completing a local training at Elyria-Lorain County Airport, Ohio. On approach, the crew initiated a go-around procedure when control was lost. The airplane crashed five miles southwest of the airport and both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled collision with ground during go-around due to inadequate supervision of flight. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper operation of flight controls,
- Misused or failed to use flaps,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Simulated conditions,
- Witnesses describes southeast go-around, flaps down, engine windmilling.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421C Golden Eagle III near Kenansville

Date & Time: Apr 23, 1979

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Aero Facilities Corporation

Registration:

N8432N

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

421C-0491

YOM:

1978

Location:

Kenansville

Country:

Region:

Convair CV-440 Metropolitan

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The twin engine airplane was engaged in an illegal flight, carrying drugs. It crashed in unknown circumstances near Kenansville and was destroyed. The pilot was not recovered.

Probable cause:

The cause of the accident could not be determined.

Final Report:

Crash of a Convair CV-440 Metropolitan in Key West

Date & Time: Apr 16, 1979 at 0030 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Jose Benitez

Registration:

N94480

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Key West - Key West

MSN:

211

YOM:

254

Location:

Key West-Intl

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew departed Key West-Intl Airport for a local night flight. While circling, one of the engine failed. The decision to return was taken. After touchdown, the airplane was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran and collided with coral rocks before coming to rest in a soft ground. Both pilots escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Controlled collision with ground after landing following a powerplant failure for undetermined reasons.

Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-21A Goose off Avalon: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 14, 1979 at 1007 LT

Type of aircraft:

Grumman G-21A Goose

Operator:

Registration:

N11CS

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

San Pedro - Avalon

MSN:

1166

YOM:

1942

Location:

Avalon (Catalina Island)

California

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

9335

Captain / Total hours on type:

455.00

Circumstances:

On approach to Avalon (Santa Catalina Island) in marginal weather conditions with low clouds and fog, the pilot decided to initiate a go-around after noticing boat wakes. Doing so, the seaplane stalled, lost height and crashed into the sea few hundred yards off Pebbly Beach. The pilot and two passengers were seriously injured while seven other occupants escaped with minor injuries. A passenger drowned.

Probable cause:

Stall during a go-around after the pilot misjudged distance, speed and altitude. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Visibility two miles or less,
- Low altitude straight-in approach toward seaplane ramp,
- Go-around after noticing boat wakes.

Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed 18 LodeStar in Lincolnton

Date & Time: Apr 12, 1979 at 0645 LT

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed 18 LodeStar

Operator:

McCollum Aviation

Registration:

N250W

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

2025

YOM:

1940

Location:

Lincolnton-Prater Ranch

Georgia

Country:

Region:

World Photography Corporation

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

During the takeoff roll, the crew decided to abandon the takeoff procedure. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the twin engine airplane overran, struck trees and crashed in flames. Both occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed by fire. A load of 2,000 lbs of marijuana was found on board.

Probable cause:

Collision with trees after an aborted takeoff because the crew delayed action in aborting takeoff.

Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed PV-1 Ventura in Belle Glade

Date & Time: Apr 11, 1979 at 0500 LT

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed PV-1 Ventura

Operator:

Registration:

N8GW

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

4676

YOM:

1942

Location:

Belle Glade

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After a night landing at Belle Glade, the twin engine airplane overran, collided with trees and crashed in flames. The pilot, sole on board, evacuated the cabin and was not recovered by authorities. The flight was illegal and a load of 4,000 lbs of marijuana was found on board.

Probable cause:

Overshoot and subsequent collision with trees during landing roll after the pilot misjudged distance and speed and failed to initiate a go-around.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Youngstown

Date & Time: Apr 10, 1979 at 1442 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft E18

Operator:

Green Aero

Registration:

N617M

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Flint - Youngstown

MSN:

BA-322

YOM:

1957

Location:

Youngstown-Warren

Ohio

Country:

Region: