Region
North America
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USA

Crash of a Cessna 414 Chancellor in Bluefield

Date & Time: Aug 4, 1978 at 2204 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 414 Chancellor
Operator:
Registration:
N33BN
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Wise - Bluefield
MSN:
414-0079
YOM:
1970
Location:
Bluefield-Mercer County
West Virginia
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:
3458
Captain / Total hours on type:
97.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Bluefield-Mercer County, the pilot encountered technical problems with one engine. He decided to attempt an emergency landing when the airplane struck trees and crashed few miles from the airfield. All three occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees during a missed approach due to improper maintenance. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Lubricating system: magnetic plugs, missing
- Oil exhaustion-engine lubrication system,
- High obstructions,
- Oil sump drain plug was not found, threads on sump hole clean and undamaged.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 401A in Aspen

Date & Time: Aug 3, 1978 at 1526 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 401
Operator:
Registration:
N555SH
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Wichita - Aspen
MSN:
401A-0081
YOM:
1969
Location:
Aspen-Pitkin County-Sardy Field
Colorado
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3800
Captain / Total hours on type:
200.00
Circumstances:
The approach to Aspen-Pitkin County-Sardy Field was completed in excellent weather conditions. On final, the twin engine airplane stalled and crashed short of runway. All five occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Stall on final approach after the pilot failed to maintain flying speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- High density altitude,
- Downwind.
Final Report:

Crash of a Percival P.66 Pembroke in Sylvester

Date & Time: Aug 3, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Percival P.66 Pembroke
Operator:
Registration:
N51951
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
20
YOM:
1955
Location:
Sylvester
Georgia
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:
Sole on board, the pilot was completing a drug smuggling flight from Colombia, originally to Valdosta, Georgia. The aircraft was carrying a load of 2,000 lbs of marijuana and supposed to land at Valdosta Airport. For unknown reasons, the runway lights could not be activated so the pilot diverted to Sylvester Airport where the visibility was about half a mile in fog. After landing, the twin engine airplane went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. The pilot deliberately burnt the aircraft after accident.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 340 in Riverton

Date & Time: Jul 30, 1978 at 1000 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 340
Operator:
Registration:
N1381G
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Riverton - Evanston
MSN:
340-0080
YOM:
1972
Location:
Riverton
Wyoming
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:
2997
Captain / Total hours on type:
345.00
Circumstances:
At liftoff, both engines lost power. The pilot elected to return but eventually decided to make an emergency landing. He was forced to make an evasive maneuver to avoid collision and completed a belly landing in an open field. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper maintenance, servicing, inspection,
- Fuel injection system,
- Excessive pressure,
- Intentional wheels-up landing,
- High density altitude,
- Reversed course immediately after takeoff.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402B in Indianapolis

Date & Time: Jul 28, 1978 at 1219 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
W. J. Medical Consulting
Registration:
N4167G
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Indianapolis - Morristown
MSN:
402B-1214
YOM:
1976
Location:
Indianapolis-Regional
Indiana
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:
5259
Captain / Total hours on type:
87.00
Circumstances:
During the takeoff run, the pilot decided to abort for unknown reason. The twin engine airplane was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran, went through a fence and came to rest. Both occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
Collision with fence posts after an aborted takeoff for unknown reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Spontaneous improper action,
- Delayed action in aborting takeoff,
- PIlot's decision to abort unknown.
Final Report:

Crash of a Convair CV-580 in Kalamazoo

Date & Time: Jul 25, 1978 at 0702 LT
Type of aircraft:
Convair CV-580
Operator:
Registration:
N4825C
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Kalamazoo - Detroit
MSN:
380
YOM:
1967
Flight number:
NCA801
Location:
Kalamazoo-Battle Creek
Michigan
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
40
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
9479
Captain / Total hours on type:
5022.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
2490
Copilot / Total hours on type:
239
Aircraft flight hours:
53343
Aircraft flight cycles:
24284
Circumstances:
Just after takeoff from runway 17, while in initial climb, the left engine suffered a bird strike (sparrowhawk). The autofeather system activated and the airplane flew for 79 seconds when it banked left and crashed in a corn field. Three passengers were seriously injured while 40 other occupants were unhurt. the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The failure of the captain to follow the prescribed engine-out procedures during instrument meteorological conditions, which allowed the aircraft to decelerate into a flight regime from which he could not recover. Contributing to the accident were inadequate cockpit coordination and discipline.
Final Report:

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-60-CK Commando off Miami

Date & Time: Jul 22, 1978 at 1511 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
DR & M
Registration:
N157K
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Miami - Miami
MSN:
436
YOM:
1945
Location:
Miami
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew departed Miami-Opa Locka Airport on a local training flight. Few minutes after takeoff, both engines failed. The pilot-in-command ditched the aircraft few hundred yards offshore and the airplane sank and was lost. Two of three occupants were rescued while the instructor could not be located after departing the accident site.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-3 Otter in Kotzebue

Date & Time: Jul 22, 1978 at 0800 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-3 Otter
Operator:
Maxson Aviation
Registration:
N26641
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Kotzebue - Red Dog
MSN:
134
YOM:
1956
Location:
Kotzebue-Ralph Wien Memorial
Alaska
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:
2641
Captain / Total hours on type:
510.00
Circumstances:
En route from Kotzebue to Red Dog, the engine failed due to icing. The pilot reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing off airport on land when the airplane crashed in flames. The pilot escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with ground due to improper operation of powerplant and powerplant controls. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Anti-icing/deicing equipment - improper operation or failed to use,
- Ice carburetor,
- Loss of engine power,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Fog.
Final Report:

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

Date & Time: Jul 19, 1978 at 0050 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600)
Operator:
Custom Air
Registration:
N868Y
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Bridgeport – Jacksonville
MSN:
60-0010
YOM:
1969
Location:
Jacksonville
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
10457
Captain / Total hours on type:
6.00
Circumstances:
While circling in the traffic pattern to Jacksonville Airport, both engines failed. The crew attempted an emergency landing when the airplane struck trees and crashed. It was destroyed upon impact and both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
Double engine and subsequent crash due to mismanagement of fuel. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Fuel starvation,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Fuel valves in crossfeed,
- 16 gallons of fuel found in fuselage tank not available to engine in crossfeed.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 in Candor: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jul 13, 1978 at 2145 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter
Operator:
Coast Air
Registration:
N76214
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Fort Bragg - Fort Bragg
MSN:
236
YOM:
1969
Location:
Candor
North Carolina
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Fort Bragg AFB on a training flight for the US Army, carrying three passengers and two pilots. While flying by night, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck a tree and crashed in Candor, about 43 miles northwest of Fort Bragg.
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