United States of America

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Boston - Newburgh

MSN:

BA-412

YOM:

1959

Location:

Newburgh-Stewart

New York

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3897

Captain / Total hours on type:

99.00

Circumstances:

While descending to Newburgh-Stewart Airport by night and marginal weather conditions, the pilot informed ATC about icing conditions but was vectored for a holding pattern due to heavy traffic. On short final, the twin engine airplane stalled and crashed about 1,600 feet short of runway threshold. The pilot, sole on board, was seriously injured.

Probable cause:

Stall on approach due to improper in-flight decisions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Airframe ice,
- Icing conditions including sleet, freezing rain,
- Visibility three miles or less,
- Fog,
- Pilot informed of icing at holding altitude prior to his entering holding.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18 in Chicago

Date & Time: Apr 3, 1979 at 0439 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft E18

Operator:

Registration:

N1234G

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Chicago - Indianapolis

MSN:

BA-21

YOM:

1954

Location:

Chicago-O'Hare

Illinois

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

15700

Captain / Total hours on type:

3060.00

Circumstances:

At liftoff, the twin engine airplane stalled and crashed in flames. The pilot, sole on board, was injured. He was en route to Indianapolis.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled collision with ground during initial climb due to vortex turbulence. The pilot failed to follow approved procedures.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-80 Queen Air in Palwaukee: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 29, 1979 at 1745 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft 80 Queen Air

Operator:

Registration:

N723Q

Flight Phase:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Chicago-Executive (Palwaukee)

Schedule:

Wheeling - Chicago

MSN:

LD-112

YOM:

1963

Location:

Illinois

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

8000

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Wheeling-Palwaukee Airport, while climbing, the pilot declared an emergency after an explosion on the left engine. He was cleared to return for an emergency landing and continued the approach when, upon touchdown, the airplane went out of control and crashed in flames. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Failure of the left engine during climb due to master and connecting rods failure. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fire and explosion in flight,
- Material failure,
- Leak,
- Fire in engine,
- Complete engine failure,
- N°5 connecting rod,
- Hole in oil sump,
- Left wing and left main gear failed on landing.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Cedar Rapids: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 23, 1979 at 2053 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft E18

Operator:

Great Western Airlines

Registration:

N201GW

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Cedar Rapids - Springfield

MSN:

BA-232

YOM:

1957

Location:

Cedar Rapids

Iowa

Country:

Region:

Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

7257

Captain / Total hours on type:

170.00

Circumstances:

During the takeoff roll at Cedar Rapids Airport, the crew lost control of the aircraft that ground looped, swerved and crashed in flames. Both pilots were killed.

Probable cause:

Loss of control during takeoff after the crew exercised poor judgment. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to maintain directional control,
- Failed to abort takeoff,
- Physical impairment,
- Alcoholic impairment of efficiency and judgment,
- Ice/slush on runway,
- Snow on runway,
- Poor runway conditions,
- Snow,
- Unfavorable wind conditions,
- Airframe ice,
- Visibility less than two miles,
- Fog,
- Two inches of slush and snow on runway,
- Pilot blood alcohol level 0,35‰.

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith Aerostar 600) in Sikeston: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 22, 1979 at 1325 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Cape Central Airways

Registration:

N90501

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Sikeston - Sikeston

MSN:

60-0289-109

YOM:

1976

Location:

Sikeston

Missouri

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

6407

Captain / Total hours on type:

275.00

Circumstances:

While in traffic pattern at Sikeston Airport, the twin engine airplane suffered an engine failure. It lost height then struck power cables and crashed in a field. The pilot was killed and the passenger was injured.

Probable cause:

Engine failure and subsequent collision with power cables due to improper maintenance on part of the maintenance personnel. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fuel system: ram air assembly, collapsed,
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Complete failure one engine,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Engine air inlet duct collapsed.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65 Queen Air in Arcadia: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 19, 1979 at 0423 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft 65 Queen Air

Operator:

Registration:

N70GC

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Illegal (smuggling)

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

LC-237

YOM:

1966

Location:

Arcadia

Florida

Country:

Region:

Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3400

Circumstances:

While in traffic pattern by night, the twin engine airplane stalled and crashed in flames. Both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Stall following engine failure for unknown reasons. The following findings were reported:
- Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons,
- Complete failure two engines,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Fire after impact,
- Marijuana stakeout.

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-61P Aerostar (Ted Smith Aerostar 601P) in Aspen: 4 killed

Date & Time: Mar 18, 1979 at 1604 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

May Petroleum

Registration:

N35FC

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Aspen-Pitkin County-Sardy Field

Schedule:

Aspen - Amarillo

MSN:

61-0256-048

YOM:

1976

Location:

Colorado

Country:

Region:

Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2500

Captain / Total hours on type:

12.00

Circumstances:

Few minutes after takeoff from Aspen-Pitkin County-Sardy Field Airport, while climbing, the pilot reported engine malfunction and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. Shortly later, the airplane went out of control and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and all four occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Engine failure or malfunction and subsequent uncontrolled descent for unknown reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment,
- Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons,
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- High density altitude, approximately 8,600 feet,
- Left engine reported rough before takeoff.

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith Aerostar 601P) in Columbus: 3 killed

Date & Time: Mar 14, 1979 at 0930 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N8061J

Flight Phase:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Columbus-Ohio State University-Don Scott

Schedule:

Logansport - Columbus

MSN:

61-0544-232

YOM:

1978

Location:

Ohio

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

469

Captain / Total hours on type:

82.00

Circumstances:

On final approach to Columbus-Ohio State University Airport in clouds, the twin engine airplane stalled and crashed in flames. All three occupants were killed. Icing conditions were forecasted.

Probable cause:

Stall on final approach due to improper in-flight decisions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Airframe ice,
- Icing conditions including sleet, freezing rain,
- Sigmet and airmet warned of icing conditions in clouds above freezing level,
- The aircraft was not certified for flight in known icing conditions.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-80 Queen Air off New Orleans: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 11, 1979 at 1610 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft 80 Queen Air

Operator:

Dale Langley

Registration:

N10QH

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Oklahoma City - Oklahoma City

MSN:

LD-110

YOM:

1963

Location:

New Orleans

Louisiana

Country:

Region: