United States of America

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Pottstown-Limerick-Heritage Field

Schedule:

Pottstown - Chicago

MSN:

402-0245

YOM:

1980

Location:

Pennsylvania

Country:

Region:

Landing (descent or approach)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

303

Captain / Total hours on type:

40.00

Circumstances:

Just after liftoff from Pottstown-Limerick Airfield, while in initial climb, one of the engine failed. The pilot lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed in flames. All five occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Stall during initial climb due to engine failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons,
- Failed to abort takeoff,
- Failed to retract landing gear,
- Failed to maintain flying speed.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft A100 King Air in Muscle Shoals

Date & Time: Jun 22, 1978 at 0712 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft 100 King Air

Operator:

Registration:

N941K

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Chattanooga - Muscle Shoals

MSN:

B-111

YOM:

1972

Location:

Muscle Shoals

Alabama

Country:

Region:

Landing (descent or approach)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

20834

Captain / Total hours on type:

24.00

Circumstances:

On final approach to Muscle Shoals Airport, the airplane lost speed, stalled and crashed short of runway. All six occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Stall on final approach after the pilot-in-command failed to maintain flying speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper operation of powerplant and powerplant controls,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Fog,
- Poor crew coordination,
- Visibility one mile or less,
- The pilot-in-command reduced props instead of throttles.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18 in Windsor Locks

Date & Time: Jun 19, 1978 at 2030 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft D18

Operator:

Great Western Airlines

Registration:

N10VT

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Albany – Windsor Locks

MSN:

A-699

YOM:

1952

Location:

Windsor Locks-Bradley

Connecticut

Country:

Region:

Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3496

Captain / Total hours on type:

1003.00

Circumstances:

On final approach to Windsor Locks-Bradley Airport, the left engine lost power and the right engine failed. The crew attempted an emergency landing when the airplane struck trees and crashed in flames. Both occupants were slightly injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Engine failure or malfunction on final approach caused by the following factors:
- Compressor assembly: bearing, rotor shaft,
- Lack of lubrication-specific part, not system,
- Overheated,
- Turbine assembly: blade, turbine wheel,
- Fatigue fracture,
- High obstruction,
- N° 2 bearing on left engine failed,
- Right engine power turbine blade failed.

Final Report:

Crash of a Fairchild C-119G Flying Boxcar in Greybull: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jun 10, 1978 at 1700 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N3560

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Test

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Greybull - Greybull

MSN:

10957

YOM:

1952

Flight number:

Tanker 140

Location:

Greybull

Wyoming

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4250

Captain / Total hours on type:

400.00

Circumstances:

The aircraft was engaged in a local test flight at Greybull Airport and was carrying one passenger and three crew members. After takeoff, while climbing, the crew encountered technical problems with the right engine. The captain elected to return and initiated a turn when the aircraft lost height and crashed. All three crew members were killed while the passenger was seriously injured.

Probable cause:

The exact cause of the accident could not be determined.

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31T Cheyenne II in Lamar: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jun 5, 1978 at 2140 LT

Type of aircraft:

Piper PA-31 Cheyenne

Operator:

Benjamin G. Cobb

Registration:

N176CC

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Lamar - Fort Collins

MSN:

31-7620024

YOM:

1976

Location:

Lamar

Colorado

Country:

Region:

Landing (descent or approach)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3000

Captain / Total hours on type:

100.00

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Lamar Municipal Airport, while climbing, the twin engine airplane entered a controlled descent then crashed in a field located three miles south of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all four occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Controlled collision with ground during climb to cruise due to inadequate preflight preparation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Diverted attention from operation of aircraft,
- Pilot fatigue,
- Two large dogs and a cat in aircraft unrestrained,
- The pilot flew approximately 6 hours and performed 2 operations on the day of the accident.

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-325 Navajo in Los Angeles

Date & Time: May 30, 1978 at 0804 LT

Type of aircraft:

Piper PA-31-310 Navajo

Operator:

Registration:

N59839

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Santa Ana - Los Angeles

MSN:

31-7612048

YOM:

1976

Location:

Los Angeles

California

Country:

Region:

Rockwell Grand Commander 690

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2810

Captain / Total hours on type:

51.00

Circumstances:

On final approach to Los Angeles Airport, the airplane encountered vortex turbulences and crashed. Both occupants were injured, the passenger seriously. The approach was completed with a 5 knots tailwind.

Probable cause:

Controlled collision with ground on final approach due to vortex turbulences. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Downwind,
- 5 knots tailwind.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 690A in Calumet: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 27, 1978 at 1010 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

International Crystal Manufacturing Company

Registration:

N299F

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Oklahoma City - Colorado Springs

MSN:

690-11112

YOM:

1973

Location:

Calumet

Oklahoma

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

7000

Captain / Total hours on type:

500.00

Circumstances:

Few minutes after takeoff from Oklahoma City Airport, from climb to cruise, the crew encountered bad weather condition with thunderstorm activity. In severe turbulences, the airplane suffered a general disintegration and crashed in Calumet. The aircraft was totally destroyed and both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

In-flight airframe failure during climb to cruise due to inadequate preflight preparation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Initiated flight in adverse weather conditions,
- Exceeded designed stress limits of aircraft,
- Airframe failure of wings spars,
- Airframe failure of flight control surfaces: horizontal stabilizer, attachments,
- Overload failure,
- Separation in flight,
- Low ceiling,
- Thunderstorm activity,
- General disintegration,
- Embedded thunderstorms.

Final Report:

Crash of a Convair CV-880-22-2 in Miami

Date & Time: May 25, 1978 at 0755 LT

Type of aircraft:

Convair CV-880

Operator:

Groth Air

Registration:

N8815E

Flight Phase:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Miami - Sint Maarten

MSN:

22-00-63

YOM:

1962

Location:

Miami-Intl

Florida

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

40000

Captain / Total hours on type:

8000.00

Circumstances:

During the takeoff roll, at Vr speed, the captain pulled up the control column but the airplane failed to rotate. Decision to abandon the takeoff procedure was taken and the crew initiated an emergency braking maneuver. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran, lost its nose gear and came to rest 285 feet further. All six occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Aborted takeoff and overran due to inadequate preflight preparation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Gear collapsed,
- Improperly loaded aircraft, W&B and CofG,
- Operational supervisory personnel: deficiency, company maintained equipment, services, regulation,
- Overload failure,
- Forward CofG exceeded limit by 12,61%.

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Fleetville: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 23, 1978 at 1905 LT

Type of aircraft:

Piper PA-31-310 Navajo

Operator:

Safair Flying Services

Registration:

N9057Y

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Teterboro - Rochester

MSN:

31-80

YOM:

1968

Location:

Fleetville

Pennsylvania

Country:

Region: