Region
North America
code

USA

Crash of a Cessna 402B in Greensboro: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 6, 1978 at 1520 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
Registration:
N69284
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Gulfport – Winston-Salem – Raleigh
MSN:
402B-0407
YOM:
1973
Location:
Greensboro
North Carolina
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:
7408
Captain / Total hours on type:
540.00
Circumstances:
While approaching Winston-Salem Airport, the pilot informed ATC about engine problems. Shortly later, the twin engine airplane went out of control, entered a dive and crashed in flames in a field located in Greensboro. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Stalled and spiraled while descending to Winston-Salem Airport due to foreign material affecting normal operations. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Ice in fuel,
- Fuel starvation,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Failure of both engines.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402B in Tuscaloosa: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 1, 1978 at 2022 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
Dixie Air
Registration:
N8210Q
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Montgomery - Tuscaloosa
MSN:
402B-0390
YOM:
1973
Location:
Tuscaloosa
Alabama
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:
7000
Captain / Total hours on type:
1500.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Tuscaloosa Airport by night, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck trees and crashed few hundred yards short of runway 04 threshold. The pilot was seriously injured while the passenger was killed.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees and undershoot on final approach after the pilot misjudged distance and altitude. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Rain,
- Fog,
- High obstructions,
- Visibility 3 miles or less,
- Drizzle,
- Runway 04 also has sequential flasher and steady burner type approach lights.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-61 Aerostar in Dubois: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 24, 1978 at 2005 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601)
Operator:
Henry Weber Air
Registration:
N1BE
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Dubois - Lancaster
MSN:
61-0245-041
YOM:
1976
Location:
DuBois-Jefferson County
Pennsylvania
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
1230
Captain / Total hours on type:
560.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Dubois-Jefferson County Airport, while in initial climb, the pilot encountered engine trouble. He attempted an emergency landing when the airplane went out of control and crashed near the airport. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control during initial climb due to foreign material affecting normal engine operations. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Ice in fuel,
- Fuel starvation,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Improper operation of flight controls,
- Complete engine failure,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Ice was found in fuel flow divider and lines.
Final Report:

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A Islander near Toksook Bay: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 20, 1978 at 0920 LT
Type of aircraft:
Britten-Norman Islander
Operator:
Registration:
N869JA
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Bethel - Tununak
MSN:
120
YOM:
1970
Location:
Toksook Bay
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:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
1783
Captain / Total hours on type:
179.00
Circumstances:
While cruising in poor weather conditions (whiteout conditions) on a cargo flight from Bethel to Tununak, the single engine airplane struck the ground and crashed. The pilot, sole on board, was 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:
- Snow,
- Whiteout conditions,
- VFR flight plan,
- Aircraft in area during same time period reported poor visibility due to snow squalls.
Final Report:

Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2B-30 Marquise in Hawesville

Date & Time: Jan 19, 1978 at 0935 LT
Type of aircraft:
Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquise
Operator:
Registration:
N115S
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Carrollton - Hawesville
MSN:
518
YOM:
1970
Location:
Hawesville-Hancock County-Ron Lewis Field
Kentucky
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5600
Captain / Total hours on type:
598.00
Circumstances:
On final approach, the twin engine airplane stalled and crashed short of runway. All seven occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Stall on final approach after the crew misjudged distance and altitude and failed to maintain flying speed.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 in Pueblo: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 18, 1978 at 1503 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter
Operator:
Registration:
N982FL
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Pueblo - Pueblo
MSN:
465
YOM:
1975
Location:
Pueblo
Colorado
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
15284
Captain / Total hours on type:
307.00
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a local training flight at Pueblo-Memorial Airport. Following an approach to runway 27, the crew completed a circuit then a second approach to runway 17. After the airplane made a complete stop, the crew initiated a takeoff from runway 17. During initial climb, at a height of 100-150 feet, the airplane nosed over, stall and crashed near the runway end. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Stall during initial climb after the crew failed to maintain flying speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Misused or failed to use flaps,
- Flaps found in fully extended 30° position,
- Flap setting for normal takeoff is 10°.
Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman E-2C Hawkeye in Supply: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 14, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Grumman E-2C Hawkeye
Operator:
Registration:
159108
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
A015
Location:
Supply
North Carolina
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a flight from USS John Fitzgerald Kennedy to the New River MCAS in Jacksonville, North Carolina. En route, the airplane went out of control and crashed in unknown circumstances in Supply, NC. All five crew members were killed.

Crash of a Beechcraft B90 King Air in Yazoo City: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 10, 1978 at 1845 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 90 King Air
Operator:
Mississippi Charter
Registration:
N388MC
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Cincinnati - Yazoo City
MSN:
LJ-442
YOM:
1969
Location:
Yazoo City
Mississippi
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
Captain / Total flying hours:
4047
Captain / Total hours on type:
3661.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Yazoo City-Barrier Field, the airplane suffered an engine failure. It entered an uncontrolled descent until it collided with a house located short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were killed. There were no injuries on the ground.
Probable cause:
Engine failure on final approach due to improper maintenance. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Powerplant - accessory drive assembly: bearing, accessory drive shaft,
- Excessive wear/play,
- Complete engine failure,
- Fire after impact.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Anniston: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 6, 1978 at 0935 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain
Operator:
United Brands
Registration:
TI-AFY
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Fort Lauderdale – Anniston
MSN:
31-7652075
YOM:
1976
Location:
Anniston
Alabama
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:
3300
Captain / Total hours on type:
600.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Anniston Airport, the pilot encountered low ceiling and fog and descended too low when, at an altitude of 1,650 feet, the twin engine airplane struck a mountain located 7,5 miles beyond airport. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain during a missed approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Sky overcast,
- Visibility three miles or less,
- Weather above minima.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500B in Miles City: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 5, 1978 at 0205 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 500
Operator:
Registration:
N6308U
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Billings – Miles City – Wolf Point
MSN:
500-1309-121
YOM:
1963
Location:
Miles City
Montana
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:
3414
Captain / Total hours on type:
416.00
Circumstances:
After his departure from Miles City Airport, while climbing by night over an unlighted area, the pilot was cleared to climb to 6,000 feet. At a relative low altitude and high speed, the left wing outboard section failed and detached. Out of control, the airplane dove into the ground and crashed in a field. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Airframe failure in flight and uncontrolled descent after the pilot diverted attention from operation of aircraft. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Exceeded designed stress limits of aircraft,
- Airframe - wings: other,
- Separation in flight,
- Overload failure,
- Fire after impact.
Final Report:
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