United States of America

Evansville-William H. Dress

Schedule:

Indianapolis - Evansville - Nashville

MSN:

4837

YOM:

1941

Flight number:

Air Indiana 216

Location:

Indiana

Country:

Region:

Worldwide Aviation Distributors

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

9100

Captain / Total hours on type:

4600.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

1330

Copilot / Total hours on type:

Aircraft flight hours:

19777

Circumstances:

The airplane was engaged in a charter flight from Indianapolis to Nashville with an intermediate stop at Evansville Airport, carrying members of the University of Evansville basketball team and associated personnel. Takeoff from runway 18 was completed in marginal weather conditions with mist and light rain. After rotation, the pilot-in-command initiated a turn to the left when the airplane struck two trees located to the east of the airfield. Then the aircraft rolled to the right and crashed about a mile southeast from runway 18 threshold. The aircraft was totally destroyed upon impact and all 29 occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

An attempted take-off with the rudder and right aileron control locks installed, in combination with a rearward centre of gravity, which resulted in the aircraft's rotating to a nose-high attitude immediately after take-off, and entering the region of reversed command from which the pilot was unable to recover. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the flight crew to ensure that the passenger baggage was loaded in accordance with the configuration contained on the load manifest. Their failure resulted in a rearward centre of gravity that was aft of the optimum range, but forward of the rearmost limit.

Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-21A Goose in Miami Lakes

Date & Time: Dec 13, 1977 at 1315 LT

Type of aircraft:

Grumman G-21A Goose

Operator:

Registration:

N23DF

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Miami - Miami

MSN:

1133

YOM:

1942

Location:

Miami-Opa Locka

Florida

Country:

Region:

Aspen-Pitkin County-Sardy Field

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4985

Captain / Total hours on type:

935.00

Circumstances:

While completing a local demo flight at Miami-Opa Locka Airport, both engines failed. The pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed onto several houses in Miami Lakes, west of the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were seriously injured.

Probable cause:

Engine failure during traffic pattern/circling and subsequent collision with buildings due to mismanagement of fuel. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inattentive to fuel supply,
- Fuel starvation,
- Failed to use the checklist,
- Failure of both engines,
- 70 gallons of fuel in right tank,
- Left tank empty.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 414 Chancellor near Aspen: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 27, 1977 at 1730 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 414 Chancellor

Operator:

Cameron & Cameron

Registration:

N1682T

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Aspen - Pueblo

MSN:

414-0475

YOM:

1974

Location:

Colorado

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1820

Captain / Total hours on type:

220.00

Circumstances:

The pilot initiated the takeoff from a snow covered runway at Aspen-Pitkin County-Sardy Field and with an aircraft covered with ice and snow on wings. At liftoff, the twin engine airplane struck a fence located past the runway end and despite the situation, the pilot continued departure. Few minutes later, at an altitude of 11,800 feet, the pilot encountered downdrafts/updrafts and lost control of the airplane that crashed in a canyon located few miles from the airport. The wreckage was found two days later. A passenger was killed while six other occupants were seriously injured.

Probable cause:

Controlled collision with fence during initial climb then controlled flight into terrain due to inadequate preflight preparation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to abort takeoff,
- Airframe ice,
- Improper in-flight decisions or planning,
- Snow on runway,
- Icing conditions including sleet, freezing rain,
- Downdrafts, updrafts,
- Ice and snow on wings,
- Hit fence at liftoff,
- Continued departure.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-A90 King Air off Charleston

Date & Time: Nov 26, 1977 at 1705 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft 90 King Air

Operator:

D & H Corporation

Registration:

N55MG

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Cockburn Harbour - Wilmington

MSN:

LJ-303

YOM:

1967

Location:

Charleston-Intl

South Carolina

Country:

Region:

Landing (descent or approach)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

6630

Captain / Total hours on type:

175.00

Circumstances:

En route from South Caicos to Wilmington, the pilot encountered technical problems with both engines that failed in flight. He reduced his altitude and ditched the airplane into the sea off Charleston, South Carolina. Both occupants were quickly rescued while the aircraft was lost.

Probable cause:

Engine failure in normal cruise due to inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment,
- Improper in-flight decisions or planning,
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Fuel exhaustion,
- Miscalculated fuel consumption,
- Failure of both engines,
- Aircraft came to rest in water,
- Forced landing off airport on water.

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31T Cheyenne II in Beckley: 6 killed

Date & Time: Nov 24, 1977 at 1105 LT

Type of aircraft:

Piper PA-31 Cheyenne

Operator:

Kirkway Corporation

Registration:

N801HD

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

DuPage - Beckley

MSN:

31-7620031

YOM:

1976

Location:

Beckley-Raleigh County

West Virginia

Country:

Region:

Kotzebue-Ralph Wien Memorial

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

6500

Captain / Total hours on type:

232.00

Circumstances:

On approach to Beckley-Raleigh County Airport, the pilot encountered foggy conditions. During the last segment, the twin engine airplane struck a steel reinforced concrete wall and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and all six occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Collision with object due to improper IFR operation and improper level off. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Delayed in initiating go-around,
- Fog,
- High obstructions,
- Visibility down to zero.

Final Report:

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-8 Islander off Kotzebue: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 21, 1977

Type of aircraft:

Britten-Norman Islander

Operator:

Registration:

N36MN

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Point Hope - Kotzebue

MSN:

546

YOM:

1977

Location:

Alaska

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2800

Captain / Total hours on type:

300.00

Circumstances:

En route from Point Hope to Kotzebue, the twin engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea off the Alaskan coast. SAR operations were initiated but no trace of the aircraft nor both occupants was found.

Probable cause:

Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Orlando

Date & Time: Nov 19, 1977 at 1615 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft D18

Operator:

Global Aircraft

Registration:

N270QS

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Orlando-Executive (Herndon)

MSN:

A-292

YOM:

1946

Location:

Florida

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Orlando-Herndon Airport, the twin engine airplane encountered serious difficulties to gain height. It went out of control and crashed in flames in a field. All three occupants were injured, one of them seriously.

Probable cause:

Loss of control during initial climb due to inadequate preflight preparation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improperly loaded aircraft, W&B, CofG.,
Aircraft approximately 2,000 lbs over max gross weight.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 441 Conquest II in Demopolis: 7 killed

Date & Time: Nov 15, 1977 at 1811 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 441 Conquest

Operator:

Registration:

N9971G

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Demonstration

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Birmingham - Mobile

MSN:

441-0006

YOM:

1977

Location:

Demopolis

Alabama

Country:

Region:

Mechanical Equipment Company

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1967

Captain / Total hours on type:

16.00

Circumstances:

The twin engine airplane departed Birmingham with one pilot and six potential customers on board for a demonstration flight to Mobile. While in normal cruise, the airplane suffered a complete in-flight breakup, dove into the ground and crashed near Demopolis. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all seven occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Airframe failure in flight due to poor/inadequate design. The following findings were reported:
- Flight control systems: elevator and elevator tab control system,
- Flutter,
- Flight control surfaces: elevator assembly, attachments,
- Separation in flight.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Sabreliner 40 off New Orleans: 3 killed

Date & Time: Nov 7, 1977 at 1820 LT

Type of aircraft:

Rockwell Sabreliner 40

Operator:

Registration:

N77AP

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

New Orleans - Fort Lauderdale

MSN:

282-37

YOM:

1965

Location:

New Orleans-Lakefront

Louisiana

Country:

Region:

Landing (descent or approach)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

6612

Captain / Total hours on type:

243.00

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from New Orleans-Lakefront Airport runway 35, while climbing by night to a height of 300 feet, the airplane entered a left turn then struck the water surface and crashed into Lake Pontchartrain. A pilot was seriously injured while three other occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Controlled collision with water during initial climb after the crew failed to maintain a positive rate of climb. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Instruments misread or failed to read,
- Failed to use the checklist.

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Manitowoc

Date & Time: Nov 3, 1977 at 2134 LT

Type of aircraft:

Piper PA-31-310 Navajo

Operator:

Savin Aviation

Registration:

N9273Y

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Muskegon - Manitowoc

MSN:

31-360

YOM:

1968

Location:

Manitowoc

Wisconsin

Country:

Region: