Region
North America
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USA

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Flint

Date & Time: Nov 3, 1978 at 0427 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft D18
Operator:
Wyman Pilot Services
Registration:
N80369
Flight Phase:
Taxiing
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Saint Louis - Flint
MSN:
A-157
YOM:
1946
Location:
Flint-Bishop
Michigan
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:
2391
Captain / Total hours on type:
247.00
Circumstances:
Following a normal landing and braking procedure at Flint-Bishop Airport, while performing a cargo flight from St Louis, the pilot vacated the runway and rolled to the apron with he collided with a parked Piper PA-28-140 registered N54393. The pilot was uninjured while both aircraft were destroyed by a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
Ground collision with a parked aircraft after the pilot failed to see and avoid other aircraft. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Taxied without proper ground assistance,
- Windshield dirty,
- Fog,
- Restricted vision.
Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-44 Widgeon near Cordova: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 31, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Grumman G-44 Widgeon
Operator:
C. R. Morse
Registration:
N444W
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Cordova - Juneau
MSN:
1450
YOM:
1944
Location:
Cordova
Alaska
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
Circumstances:
While cruising unde VFR mode in poor weather conditions, the pilot lost control of the seaplane that entered a dive and crashed in flames in an isolated area located in the region of Cordova. SAR operations were initiated but eventually suspended as no trace of the aircraft nor the three occupants was found. The wreckage was eventually localized on May 21, 1979.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent and ground collision after the pilot initiated flight in adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Continued VFR flight in adverse weather conditions,
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Snow,
- Icing conditions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 207A Skywagon in Napaskiak

Date & Time: Oct 30, 1978 at 0920 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 207 Skywagon/Stationair
Operator:
Registration:
N18AA
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Napaskiak - Bethel
MSN:
207-0406
YOM:
1977
Location:
Napaskiak
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1400
Captain / Total hours on type:
400.00
Circumstances:
While taking off at Napaskiak Airfield, the engine failed. The aircraft crash landed, struck a drainage ditch and came to rest. All seven occupants escaped uninjured or with minor injuries and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure during initial climb for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Ice/slush on runway,
- Soft runway.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft Queen Air 80 in New Mexico: 4 killed

Date & Time: Oct 24, 1978 at 1004 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 80 Queen Air
Operator:
Don Zimmermann Aviation
Registration:
N886G
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Oberlin - Phoenix
MSN:
LD-137
YOM:
1963
Location:
Torreon
New Mexico
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
3665
Circumstances:
While cruising in limited visibility due to poor weather conditions, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed in a hilly terrain in the region of Torreon. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent and collision with ground after the pilot attempted operation beyond experience/ability level. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions,
- Spatial disorientation,
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Aircraft inverted at impact,
- No instrument time logged since Nov 6, 1976,
- Mountains and passes obscured.
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 24D in Las Vegas

Date & Time: Oct 24, 1978 at 1001 LT
Type of aircraft:
Learjet 24
Operator:
Qualitron Aero Services
Registration:
N37DH
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Las Vegas - Las Vegas
MSN:
24-231
YOM:
1970
Location:
Las Vegas-Harry Reid (McCarran)
Nevada
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:
3800
Captain / Total hours on type:
7.00
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a local training flight at Las Vegas-McCarran Airport. During the takeoff roll, just after V1 speed, the pilot-in-command started the rotation. The airplane went out of control and crashed in flames. Both pilots escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Ground loop during takeoff run after the crew failed to follow approved procedures. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate supervision of flight on part of the check pilot,
- Inadequate training procedures,
- Simulated conditions,
- Premature rotation after V1 speed when engine was cut,
- The pilot-in-command had only one V1 engine cut prior to flight.
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 25 in Vickery: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 20, 1978 at 1033 LT
Type of aircraft:
Learjet 25
Operator:
Kelco Aircraft Company
Registration:
N100MK
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Cleveland - Cleveland
MSN:
25-019
YOM:
1968
Location:
Vickery
Ohio
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
4800
Captain / Total hours on type:
150.00
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Cleveland-Hopkins Airport in the early morning for a training mission consisting of a perfection course for one of the pilot. While cruising at an altitude of 16,500 feet, the airplane went out of control and nosed down to an angle of 60°. It partially disintegrated in the air and eventually crashed in an open field located near Vickery. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all three crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Airframe failure in flight following poor/inadequate design. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Systems - autopilot: servo,
- Material failure,
- Abrupt nose down pitch.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing B-52D-75-DO Stratofortress at March AFB: 5 killed

Date & Time: Oct 19, 1978 at 0730 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing B-52 Stratofortress
Operator:
Registration:
56-0594
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
March - March
MSN:
17277
YOM:
1956
Location:
March AFB
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from March AFB, while on a local training mission, the airplane went out of control and crashed in a huge explosion about 2,5 miles southeast from the airfield. A crew member was seriously injured while five others were killed.

Crash of a Morane-Saulnier MS.760B Paris II in Alief

Date & Time: Oct 17, 1978 at 1600 LT
Type of aircraft:
Morane-Saulnier M.S.760 Paris
Operator:
Don E. Hansen
Registration:
N760J
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
New Orleans – Alief – Brownsville
MSN:
006
YOM:
1958
Location:
Alief-Andrau Airpark (Houston)
Texas
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:
2650
Captain / Total hours on type:
75.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Alief-Andrau Airpark while conducting a flight from New Orleans to Brownsville, the pilot decided to initiate a go-around manoeuvre. He retracted the landing gear when the airplane stalled and struck the runway surface. It skidded off the end of runway and came to rest. Both occupants were injured, the pilot seriously, and the aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Stall and overshoot during a go-around after the pilot misjudged distance and speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Delayed in initiating go-around,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Rough terrain,
- Poorly planned approach.
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 24 in Lancaster: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 17, 1978 at 0913 LT
Type of aircraft:
Learjet 24
Operator:
Registration:
N123RE
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Lancaster - Lancaster
MSN:
24-154
YOM:
1967
Location:
Lancaster-General William J. Fox
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
8390
Captain / Total hours on type:
379.00
Circumstances:
The crew departed Santa Ana in the early morning to follow a training program at Lancaster-General William J. Fox Airport. He was completing several touch-and-goes when control was lost during initial climb. The airplane swerved on runway and eventually crashed. The copilot was seriously injured while the captain was killed.
Probable cause:
Ground loop and controlled collision with ground during initial climb after the crew failed to maintain directional control while completing touch and go landing.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 200 in Barrow: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 13, 1978 at 1644 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter
Operator:
Arctic Guide Air Taxi
Registration:
N4048B
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Anaktuvuk Pass - Barrow
MSN:
125
YOM:
1968
Location:
Barrow
Alaska
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:
4302
Captain / Total hours on type:
892.00
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was completing a taxi flight from Anaktuvuk Pass to Barrow. On final approach to Barrow Airport in icing conditions, the airplane stalled and crashed in flames short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed, the pilot was killed and the passenger was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Stall on final approach after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection on part of the maintenance personnel,
- Airframe - flight controls surfaces: other, improperly installed,
- The pilot failed to use or incorrectly used miscellaneous equipment,
- Improper operation of anti-icing/deicing equipment or failed to use,
- The pilot misused or failed to use flaps,
- Inadequate flight training procedures on part of the operational supervisory personnel,
- Deficiency, company maintained equipment, services, regulation on part of the operational supervisory personnel,
- Icing conditions including sleet, freezing rain,
- Improper installed deice boots on horizontal stabilizer.
Final Report:
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