United States of America

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Miami-Executive (Kendall-Tamiami)

Schedule:

Kendall - Kendall

MSN:

214

YOM:

1951

Location:

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:

6500

Captain / Total hours on type:

1249.00

Circumstances:

The crew was engaged in a local training mission at Kendall-Tamiami Airport. During the takeoff roll, at V2 speed, the instructor simulated an engine failure. Improper operation of flight controls on part of the pilot-in-command caused the aircraft to touch down left of runway and to crash in flames in a drainage ditch located 1,000 feet further. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire, a pilot was killed and the second occupant was seriously injured.

Probable cause:

Controlled collision with ground due to inadequate supervision of flight and improper operation of flight controls on part of the student pilot. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Simulated conditions,
- Dual student lost control on simulated engine out emergency,
- Pilot-in-command not type rated in aircraft.

Final Report:

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

Date & Time: Nov 28, 1978 at 0903 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N8999A

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Hartford - Newburgh

MSN:

61-0501-206

YOM:

1978

Location:

Hartford-Brainard

Connecticut

Country:

Region:

De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3234

Captain / Total hours on type:

170.00

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Hartford-Brainard Airport, while climbing, the left engine failed while the right engine lost power. The pilot attempted an emergency landing when control was lost. The airplane crashed few miles from the airfield and was destroyed. All three occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled collision with ground following technical issues with both engines. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Engine structure: piston, piston rings, overheated,
- Exhaust system: external supercharger, erratic,
- Undetermined loss of aircraft control,
- Partial loss of power on one engine,
- Complete engine failure on one engine,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- left engine over temperature piston,
- Right erratic turbo gate.

Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in Hydaburg: 5 killed

Date & Time: Nov 25, 1978 at 1555 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N3790G

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Ketchikan - Hydaburg

MSN:

600

YOM:

1954

Location:

Hydaburg

Alaska

Country:

Region:

Swearingen SA26T Merlin II

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2632

Captain / Total hours on type:

990.00

Circumstances:

While approaching Hydaburg in limited visibility, the single engine floatplane struck obstacles and crashed few miles from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Controlled collision with ground during normal cruise after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Fog,
- Accident occurred 28 minutes after sunset.

Final Report:

Crash of a Swearingen SA26T Merlin IIA in Olive Branch: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 22, 1978 at 1851 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N2301N

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Jackson - Memphis

MSN:

T26-002

YOM:

1967

Location:

Olive Branch

Mississippi

Country:

Region:

Larry Johnson Air Services

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5000

Captain / Total hours on type:

100.00

Circumstances:

On approach to Memphis International Airport in marginal weather conditions, the twin engine airplane struck the ground and crashed in Olive Branch, about 8 miles southeast of the airport. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Controlled collision with ground on final approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling (300 feet),
- Visibility less than a mile,
- Weather conditions below minimums,
- Controller warned pilot of low altitude alert three times.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft H18 in Brownsville: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 20, 1978 at 2000 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft H18

Operator:

Registration:

N204CC

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Brownsville-South Padre Island

Schedule:

Brownsville - Springfield

MSN:

BA-733

YOM:

1965

Location:

Texas

Country:

Region:

Rockwell Shrike Commander 500

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3550

Captain / Total hours on type:

258.00

Circumstances:

Few minutes after a night takeoff from Brownsville Airport, while climbing in marginal weather conditions, the twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed in flames three miles from the airfield. The pilot, sole on board, was killed. He was en route to Springfield, Missouri, on a cargo flight.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled descent and ground collision for undetermined reasons. The following findings were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Visibility less than a mile.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Shrike Commander 500S in Gallup: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 17, 1978 at 0850 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

John D. Kennedy

Registration:

N2973F

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Gallup - Albuquerque

MSN:

500S-3062

YOM:

1970

Location:

Gallup

New Mexico

Country:

Region:

Landing (descent or approach)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1467

Captain / Total hours on type:

517.00

Circumstances:

While taking off from Gallup-Senator Clark Airport, the twin engine airplane encountered difficulties to gain height, stalled and crashed in flames. The passenger was killed while the pilot was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Stall during initial climb due to inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Airframe ice,
- Improper operation of powerplant and powerplant controls,
- Frost on aircraft,
- Turbochargers not used on takeoff.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft G18S in Hays: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 16, 1978 at 0300 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft G18S

Operator:

Festus Flying Service

Registration:

N901PC

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Wichita - Hays

MSN:

BA-555

YOM:

1960

Location:

Hays

Kansas

Country:

Region:

Rockwell Turbo Commander 680/681

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2574

Captain / Total hours on type:

1095.00

Circumstances:

On final approach to Hays, while on a cargo flight from Wichita, the pilot lost control of the airplane that entered a dive and crashed in flames few miles from the runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Stall on final approach after the pilot failed to maintain flying speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Icing conditions including sleet, freezing rain,
- Visibility three miles or less,
- Fog.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell 680W Turbo Commander II in Lucerne Valley

Date & Time: Nov 11, 1978 at 0300 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

La Jolla Properties

Registration:

N94HD

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

San Diego - Las Vegas

MSN:

680-1811-28

YOM:

1968

Location:

Lucerne Valley

California

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5420

Captain / Total hours on type:

1105.00

Circumstances:

While in cruising altitude on a flight from San Diego to Las Vegas, the pilot suffered physical impairment. The airplane crashed in a desert area near Lucerne Valley. The pilot was seriously injured and the aircraft was written off.

Probable cause:

Controlled collision with ground after the pilot suffered in-flight physical impairment. Two micrograms per milliliter of benzodiazepine found in his blood sample.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 60 Duke near Jackson: 8 killed

Date & Time: Nov 6, 1978 at 2046 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft 60 Duke

Operator:

McCart Aviation

Registration:

N135D

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Demonstration

Survivors:

Site:

Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers (Allen C. Thompson)

Schedule:

Montgomery - Tulsa

MSN:

P-7

YOM:

1968

Location:

Mississippi

Country:

Region: