Region
North America
code

USA

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Kenansville: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 16, 1979 at 2000 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft D18
Operator:
Steele Aviation
Registration:
N80W
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
A-267
YOM:
1946
Location:
Kenansville
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:
310
Circumstances:
While flying at low height by night on an illegal flight, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed in flames. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees on final approach and subsequent stall and crash after the pilot misjudged altitude and clearance. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Stolen or unauthorized,
- Fire after impact,
- Unauthorized use of aircraft,
- Transporting marijuana.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C90 King Air in Alief: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 16, 1979 at 0800 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 90 King Air
Operator:
Crutcher Resources Corporation
Registration:
N88CR
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Alief - Alief
MSN:
LJ-514
YOM:
1971
Location:
Alief-Andrau Airpark (Houston)
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
7389
Captain / Total hours on type:
1442.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Alief-Andrau Airpark in low ceiling (400-600 feet), one of the engine failed. Due to insufficient speed, the airplane stalled and crashed. A pilot was killed while two other occupants were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Engine malfunction on approach for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Low ceiling,
- Complete engine failure one engine,
- Visibility one mile or less,
- Weather at airport near Andrau 400 to 600 feet.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560E in Clewiston

Date & Time: Jan 15, 1979 at 1445 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 560
Operator:
William Kelly
Registration:
N438G
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Sebring - Miami
MSN:
560-811
YOM:
1959
Location:
Clewiston
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
Captain / Total flying hours:
3250
Captain / Total hours on type:
100.00
Circumstances:
En route from Sebring to Miami, smoke spread in the cabin and the pilot decided to reduce his altitude and to attempt an emergency landing. On final, the twin engine airplane collided with rocks, lost its right main gear and crashed. Both occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
Collision with object during landing roll after smoke in cockpit. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fire in cabin, cockpit, baggage compartment,
- Wt, soft ground,
- Rough terrain,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Smoke in cockpit,
- Collided with rocks,
- Right gear sheared off,
- Fire in cockpit from undetermined origin.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Hart Mine

Date & Time: Jan 14, 1979 at 1700 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
Operator:
Ed H. Woolsey
Registration:
N6567L
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Desert
Schedule:
Kennewick - San Diego
MSN:
31-489
YOM:
1969
Location:
Hart Mine
California
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:
5270
Captain / Total hours on type:
35.00
Circumstances:
En route from Kennewick to San Diego, the pilot encountered problems and elected to make a precautionary landing in Hart Mine, California. The airplane crashed in a desert area and was destroyed. All three occupants escaped with minor injuries.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with ground while in traffic pattern-circuit after the pilot misjudged altitude. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Suspected mechanical discrepancy,
- Kennewick Airport closed during reported departure time,
- Reported flight distance not possible with fuel on board.
Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-73 Mallard off Avalon

Date & Time: Jan 14, 1979 at 1640 LT
Type of aircraft:
Grumman G-73 Mallard
Operator:
Registration:
N95DF
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Avalon - Long Beach
MSN:
J-19
YOM:
1947
Location:
Avalon (Catalina Island)
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
6500
Captain / Total hours on type:
85.00
Circumstances:
While taking off from the Avalon harbour, the seaplane struck three successive waves. On impact, the left engine and the left were torn off. The aircraft came to rest and was damaged beyond repair. All 11 occupants escaped with minor injuries.
Probable cause:
Engine tearaway during takeoff run after the crew selected an unsuitable terrain and failed to abort takeoff. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Premature liftoff,
- Overload failure.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith Aerostar 600) in Templeton: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 11, 1979 at 1110 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600)
Operator:
Northeast Cellulose
Registration:
N8022J
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Boston - Syracuse
MSN:
60-0526-170
YOM:
1978
Location:
Templeton
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:
1600
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude in good weather conditions, en route from Boston to Syracuse, the twin engine airplane collided with a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain owned by the Tamposi-Nash Real Estate Group and registered N33TN. En route from Concord to White Plains, it was carrying two passengers and one pilot. Following the collision, both aircraft entered a dive and crashed near Templeton. Both aircraft were destroyed and all five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
In-flight collision with another aircraft after the pilot failed to see and avoid other traffic while cruising in an uncontrolled area.
Final Report:

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

Date & Time: Jan 11, 1979 at 1110 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain
Operator:
Registration:
N33TN
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Concord - White Plains
MSN:
31-7305050
YOM:
1973
Location:
Templeton
Massachusetts
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
12225
Captain / Total hours on type:
870.00
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude in good weather conditions, en route from Concord to White Plains, the twin engine airplane collided with a Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith Aerostar 600) owned by Northeast Cellulose Inc and registered N8011J. En route from Boston to Syracuse, it was carrying one passenger and one pilot. Following the collision, both aircraft entered a dive and crashed near Templeton. Both aircraft were destroyed and all five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
In-flight collision with another aircraft after the pilot failed to see and avoid other traffic while cruising in an uncontrolled area.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680FP in El Reno: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 11, 1979 at 1010 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Ronald L. Quibell
Registration:
N2177M
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
El Reno - New Orleans
MSN:
680-1170-89
YOM:
1962
Location:
El Reno
Oklahoma
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
12138
Circumstances:
After takeoff from El Reno-Regional Airport, while climbing in foggy conditions, the pilot lost control of the airplane that dove into the ground and crashed few miles from the airfield. All three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control during climb to cruise after the pilot suffered a spatial disorientation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Visibility one mile or less.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3A in Southbay

Date & Time: Jan 10, 1979
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-3
Operator:
Waggoner Aircraft
Registration:
N9025R
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
4498
YOM:
1942
Location:
Southbay
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 while landing on wet and soft ground near Southbay, Florida. The pilot, sole on board, was uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Nosed down upon landing after the pilot selected and unsuitable terrain.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421C Golden Eagle III near Spanish Fork: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 9, 1979 at 1710 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 421C Golden Eagle III
Operator:
AABC Investors
Registration:
N5469G
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Provo - San Francisco
MSN:
421C-0216
YOM:
1972
Location:
Spanish Fork
Utah
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
2629
Captain / Total hours on type:
52.00
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Provo Airport, while climbing in marginal weather conditions and limited visibility, the twin engine airplane struck the slope of a mountain located near Spanish Fork, few miles southeast of Provo. The wreckage was found four days later, on January 13. All five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with ground from climb to cruise due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Snow,
- Visibility 3/4 mile or less.
Final Report:
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