Region
North America
code

USA

Crash of a Lockheed C-130E Hercules at Bicycle Lake AFB: 3 killed

Date & Time: Apr 15, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed C-130 Hercules
Operator:
Registration:
63-7787
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Bicycle Lake - Bicycle Lake
MSN:
3854
YOM:
1963
Location:
Bicycle Lake 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:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training flight at Bicycle Lake AFB. On final approach, the airplane stalled and crashed. Three crew members were killed while three others were injured.

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-21 Islander in San José

Date & Time: Apr 11, 1978 at 2042 LT
Type of aircraft:
Britten-Norman Islander
Operator:
Registration:
N97JA
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Long Beach - San José
MSN:
447
YOM:
1975
Location:
San Jose-Reid-Hillview
California
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:
12000
Captain / Total hours on type:
24.00
Aircraft flight hours:
1226
Circumstances:
On final approach to San José-Reid-Hillview Airport, both engines failed. The airplane lost height, struck power cables and crashed. The pilot was seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure on final approach and subsequent collision with wires due to fuel starvation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Aircraft equipped with ferry tanks.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680 in Fellsmere: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 5, 1978 at 2100 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Mid South Flying Services
Registration:
N2998C
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
680-987-34
YOM:
1960
Location:
Fellsmere
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:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
18980
Circumstances:
While flying by night at a very low altitude, the twin engine airplane struck an obstacle and crashed. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Nosed down and crashed after the pilot selected an unsuitable terrain. Aircraft found in a canal adjacent to a road. It was under surveillance for suspicion of narcotics contraband.
Final Report:

Crash of a Dornier DO.28D-1 Skyservant in Bethel: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 2, 1978 at 1626 LT
Type of aircraft:
Dornier DO.28D Skyservant
Operator:
Registration:
N21AS
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Bethel - Kuskokwim River
MSN:
4004
YOM:
1968
Location:
Bethel
Alaska
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:
1157
Captain / Total hours on type:
175.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Bethel, en route to Kuskokwim River, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and elected to return. On final, the airplane went out of control and crashed. Both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled collision with ground on final approach due to poor/inadequate design on part of the production design personnel.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500B in Salisbury: 5 killed

Date & Time: Mar 31, 1978 at 1116 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 500
Operator:
Registration:
N313UT
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Salisbury - Knoxville
MSN:
500-1183-93
YOM:
1962
Location:
Salisbury-Wicomico County
Maryland
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:
5600
Captain / Total hours on type:
2412.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Salisbury-Wicomico County Regional Airport, while climbing, the pilot reported a double engine failure and attempted to return for an emergency landing. On final, while turning back to airport with the left throttle at idle, the airplane stalled and crashed half a mile short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure during initial climb and subsequent stall and crash due to improperly serviced aircraft by ground crew. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fuel contamination - exclusive of water in fuel,
- Improper fuel grade,
- Operational supervisory personnel: inadequate supervision/training of ramp crews,
- Failure of both engines,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- High obstructions,
- Kerosene mixed with 100LL.
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 23 in Hollywood

Date & Time: Mar 30, 1978 at 2250 LT
Type of aircraft:
Learjet 23
Operator:
Registration:
N133W
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:
Phoenix - Hollywood
MSN:
23-021
YOM:
1965
Location:
Hollywood-Burbank (Bob Hope)
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2600
Captain / Total hours on type:
1680.00
Circumstances:
After touchdown at Hollywood-Burbank Airport, the crew started the braking procedure but the airplane was unable to halt within the remaining distance. It overran and eventually collided with a fence. All five occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Overran and collided with fence upon landing due to the failure of the normal braking system. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Material failure,
- Hydroplaning on wet runway,
- Airport conditions: wet runway,
- Rain,
- Left outboard anti-skid valve inoperative.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 411A near Santa Fe: 6 killed

Date & Time: Mar 26, 1978 at 1946 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 411
Operator:
James E. Ferguson
Registration:
N417DR
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Sierra Vista - Lamar
MSN:
411-0265
YOM:
1967
Location:
Santa Fe
New Mexico
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
2700
Circumstances:
While flying by night at an altitude of 11,700 feet, the twin engine airplane struck the slope of a mountain located in the region of Santa Fe. The wreckage and all six dead bodies were found a week later, on April 2.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain caused by inadequate preflight preparation and improper in-flight decisions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft H18 in Saint Louis: 3 killed

Date & Time: Mar 25, 1978 at 1052 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft H18
Operator:
Astro Airways
Registration:
N58JM
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Pine Bluff - Saint Louis
MSN:
BA-695
YOM:
1964
Location:
Saint Louis-Downtown
Illinois
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
865
Captain / Total hours on type:
80.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Saint Louis-Downtown Airport, the crew encountered poor visibility with low ceiling and icing conditions. Too low, the twin engine airplane struck power cables and crashed in Centreville, near the airport. Three passengers were killed while three other occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
Collision with wires/poles on final approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Icing conditions including sleet, freezing rain,
- Visibility three miles or less,
- Fog,
- Hit wires during localizer approach.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna T207A Skywagon in Riverside: 6 killed

Date & Time: Mar 22, 1978 at 2042 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 207 Skywagon/Stationair
Operator:
Lake Havasu Aviation
Registration:
N7354U
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Santa Ana - Lake Havasu City
MSN:
207-0417
YOM:
1978
Location:
Riverside
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
6300
Captain / Total hours on type:
30.00
Circumstances:
While cruising at a relative low altitude in poor weather conditions, the single engine airplane struck the ground and crashed in an uninhabited area located near Riverside. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all six occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain in normal cruise after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Unwarranted low flying,
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- VFR flight plan filed but not opened.
Final Report:
Subscribe to United States of America