Region
North America
code

USA

Crash of a Short SC.7 Skyvan 3 Variant 200 in Kona: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 25, 1977 at 0540 LT
Type of aircraft:
Short SC.7 Skyvan Variant
Operator:
Air Cargo Hawaii
Registration:
N4917
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Honolulu - Kona
MSN:
1850
YOM:
1968
Location:
Kona-Keahole
Hawaii
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:
25107
Captain / Total hours on type:
161.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Kona-Keahole Airport, the twin engine airplane stalled and crashed short of runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Stall on final approach after the pilot-in-command failed to maintain flying speed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S on Catalina Island: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 22, 1977 at 2106 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft E18
Operator:
Air Fast Freight
Registration:
N979SB
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Catalina Island - Long Beach
MSN:
BA-302
YOM:
1957
Location:
Catalina Island
California
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:
2460
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Catalina Island Airport, while in initial climb, the twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed on a mountainous area near the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled collision with ground during initial climb after the crew suffered incapacitation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Physical impairment,
- Failure of the air condition, heating and pressurization system,
- Fatigue fracture,
- Fog,
- 45% carbon monoxide in pilot, 16,8% in copilot,
- Cabin heater, cracks in the combustion chamber.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft G18S in Aero Oasis: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 20, 1977 at 1130 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft G18S
Operator:
William Mitchell
Registration:
N273V
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Skydiving / Paratroopers
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Aero Oasis - Immokalee
MSN:
BA-562
YOM:
1960
Location:
Aero Oasis
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
4501
Captain / Total hours on type:
6.00
Circumstances:
At liftoff, the airplane encountered difficulties to gain height, stalled and crashed in flames. All 10 skydivers escaped, one of them was injured. Unfortunately, the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
Stall during climb due to inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Failed to abort takeoff,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Improperly loaded aircraft and CofG,
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection,
- Failure of the ignition system: spark plugs,
- Improper fuel grade,
- 953 pounds over max gross weight,
- CofG about 2.5 inches aft of limit,
- 2,000 feet strip.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in Morrisville: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 19, 1977 at 1500 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver
Operator:
James C. McKinney
Registration:
N67690
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Titusville - Titusville
MSN:
1182
YOM:
1958
Location:
Morrisville
Pennsylvania
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:
6875
Circumstances:
The pilot departed Titusville on a local flight when he lost control of the airplane that entered a dive and crashed in flames in Morrisville. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent due to pilot incapacitation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Alcoholic impairment of efficiency and judgment,
- Alcohol level of 1,49‰,
- Struck catenary lines of Amtrak railroad.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31P Pressurized Navajo in Modesto: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 19, 1977 at 1153 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
Operator:
Custom Executive Aviation
Registration:
N7670L
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:
San Francisco - Modesto
MSN:
31-7300151
YOM:
1973
Location:
Modesto City-County
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
6912
Captain / Total hours on type:
31.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Modesto City-County Airport, both engines failed simultaneously. The pilot attempted an emergency landing on a highway when the airplane struck an automobile and crashed. Both occupants on board the aircraft were slightly injured while three people were killed in the car.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure on final approach due to fuel exhaustion. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Miscalculated fuel consumption,
- Fuel exhaustion,
- Forced landing off airport on land.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft G18S in Coraopolis

Date & Time: Aug 17, 1977 at 0541 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft G18S
Operator:
Flight Express Cargo
Registration:
N75FA
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
City
Schedule:
Pittsburgh - Cleveland
MSN:
BA-498
YOM:
1960
Location:
Pittsburgh-Intl
Pennsylvania
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Pittsburgh-Intl Airport, while climbing, the right engine failed. The pilot-in-command initiated a right turn and attempted to return to the airport when the airplane stalled and crashed in flames in a residential area located in Coraopolis, about three miles northeast of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were seriously injured. There were no injuries on the ground.
Probable cause:
Engine malfunction and stall during initial climb due to powerplant, fuel system, carburetor failure. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fuel system, carburetor improperly installed, leakage,
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Improper operation of powerplant and powerplant controls,
- Attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Right engine not feathered,
- Turned aircraft toward dead engine while returning to airport.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Austin

Date & Time: Aug 15, 1977 at 1521 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain
Operator:
Registration:
N74906
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Austin - Galveston
YOM:
1973
Location:
Austin-Robert Mueller
Texas
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:
996
Captain / Total hours on type:
280.00
Circumstances:
At liftoff, the twin engine rolled to the right and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and the pilot, sole on board, was slightly injured.
Probable cause:
Stall during takeoff run after the pilot attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper maintenance,
- Exhaust system: external supercharger,
- Failed to obtain flying speed,
- Premature liftoff,
- Misused or failed to used flaps,
- Weste gate pivot pin p/n 400460-817 missing on right supercharger,
- Past history of power problems.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402A in Yates City: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 13, 1977 at 2015 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
Registration:
N4554Q
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Yates City - Macomb
MSN:
402A-0054
YOM:
1979
Location:
Yates City
Illinois
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Crashed under unknown circumstances shortly after takeoff from Yates City Airport. All three occupants were killed.

Crash of a Howard 500 in Pawhuska

Date & Time: Aug 13, 1977 at 1120 LT
Type of aircraft:
Howard Super Ventura (Howard 500)
Operator:
Intercontinental Oil Company
Registration:
N44HH
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Houston - Pawhuska
MSN:
500-115
YOM:
1943
Location:
Pawhuska
Oklahoma
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
8950
Captain / Total hours on type:
50.00
Circumstances:
After touchdown on a wet and short runway 17/35, the airplane encountered difficulties to stop within the remaining distance. It overran, hit obstacles and came to rest in flames. All four occupants were injured, three of them seriously. The aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
Overshoot and crashed on object following improper in-flight decisions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Misjudged distance and speed,
- Selected wrong runway relative to existing wind,
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Donwind,
- Hydroplaning on wet runway,
- Ran off end of runway.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-80 Queen Air near Vancleave: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 13, 1977 at 1046 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 80 Queen Air
Operator:
Ralph Scotts
Registration:
N6DG
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Gulfport - Mobile
MSN:
LD-5
YOM:
1962
Location:
Vancleave
Mississippi
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:
18417
Captain / Total hours on type:
35.00
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude, the twin engine airplane went out of control, entered a spin and eventually crashed in flames near Vancleave. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure and fire in normal cruise due to a crankshaft failure. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fatigue fracture,
- Fire in engine,
- Lubricating system: tubing,
- Leakage,
- Fire in brakes, wheel assembly, wheel well,
- Separation in flight,
- Crankshaft s/n 21772 failed due to fatigue cracks at #5 connecting rod throw.
Final Report:
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