United States of America

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

421A-0076

YOM:

1968

Location:

San Rafael

California

Country:

Region:

Fleming International Airways

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

650

Captain / Total hours on type:

30.00

Circumstances:

At takeoff, the twin engine airplane stalled and crashed in flames. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Stall on takeoff due to inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Selected wrong runway relative to existing wind,
- Downwind,
- 2,000 feet runway, 15 knots tailwind.

Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed L-188 Electra in Saint Louis: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jul 6, 1977 at 2327 LT

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed L-188 Electra

Operator:

Registration:

N280F

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Saint Louis - Detroit

MSN:

1076

YOM:

1959

Location:

Saint Louis-Lambert

Missouri

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

11540

Captain / Total hours on type:

390.00

Circumstances:

The takeoff procedure was abandoned after the propeller on engine n°2 autofeathered. During the second takeoff, while in initial climb, the airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in flames by the runway. All three crew members were killed.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled descent during initial climb due to unwanted thrust reversal on engine n°2. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot-in-command exercised poor judgment,
- Attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment,
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Thrust reversal unwanted,
- Oil exhaustion in propeller system,
- Propeller system: feathering pump - leakage,
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection,
- Deficiency, company maintained equipment, services, regulation,
- Pilot fatigue,
- Oil replaced improperly,
- Pump output o-rings bad.

Final Report:

Crash of a Ford 4 in Put-in-Bay

Date & Time: Jul 1, 1977 at 1346 LT

Type of aircraft:

Ford 4

Operator:

Registration:

N7584

Flight Phase:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Put-in-Bay - Port Clinton

MSN:

4-AT-38

YOM:

1928

Location:

Put-in-Bay

Ohio

Country:

Region:

Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3576

Captain / Total hours on type:

879.00

Circumstances:

After takeoff, two of the three engines lost power. The pilot elected to return when the airplane struck power cables and crashed in a field. All three occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Double engine failure during initial climb due to mismanagement of fuel. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fuel selector positioned between tanks,
- Fuel starvation,
- Failure of two engines,
- Unfavorable wind conditions, gusting to 40 knots,
- Collision with wires/poles.

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Grand Canyon: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jun 25, 1977 at 1000 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Orco Aviation

Registration:

N54727

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Grand Canyon-National Park

Schedule:

Riverside - Grand Canyon

MSN:

31-7405250

YOM:

1974

Location:

Arizona

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

720

Captain / Total hours on type:

15.00

Circumstances:

On final approach to Grand Canyon-National Park Airport, the right engine partially failed and the pilot feathered its propeller. The airplane lost height then crashed on a plateau located few miles from the airport. The pilot and four passengers were killed while four others were seriously injured.

Probable cause:

The airplane crashed on a plateau following improper operation of powerplant and powerplant controls. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Lubricating system: lines, hoses, fitting,
- Leakage,
- Rough terrain,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Oil leakage on right engine, propeller feathered,
- No malfunction found,
- Did not boost the left engine power.

Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed EC-130Q Hercules off Wake Island: 16 killed

Date & Time: Jun 21, 1977 at 2230 LT

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

Operator:

Registration:

156176

Flight Phase:

United States Minor Outlying Islands

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Wake - Agana

MSN:

4280

YOM:

1968

Location:

Wake Island

Country:

Region:

Landing (descent or approach)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Wake Island Airport runway 10, while climbing by night to an altitude of 400 feet, the four engine airplane went out of control and crashed into the sea about 1,500 meters offshore. Two engines and few debris were found while the aircraft sank and was lost. All 16 occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

It is believed that the pilot-in-command lost control of the airplane during initial climb after he suffered a spatial disorientation while flying over the ocean without any visual references. The accident occurred while there was no ATC at airport.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3C near Newton

Date & Time: Jun 13, 1977 at 0030 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-3

Operator:

Hall Mining Company

Registration:

N38AP

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Illegal (smuggling)

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

10217

YOM:

1943

Location:

Newton

Georgia

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The pilot attempted to land by night on an unsuitable terrain located near Newton that was lighted by flashlights. Upon landing, the gear collapsed and the airplane crashed. The passenger was slightly injured while the pilot was seriously wounded. The aircraft was written off. This was probably a drug smuggling flight.

Probable cause:

Gear collapsed on landing after the pilot selected an unsuitable terrain. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Misjudged distance and speed,
- Not aligned with the intended landing area,
- Intentional ground loop,
- Overload failure,
- Landing area lighted by flashlights.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3A-408 near Vero Beach

Date & Time: Jun 12, 1977

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-3

Operator:

Tony Perez

Registration:

N33649

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

4809

YOM:

1941

Location:

Vero Beach

Florida

Country:

Region:

Rockwell Grand Commander 680

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While completing a drug smuggling flight, the crew was forced to make an emergency landing for unknown reasons. There were no casualties and the aircraft was written off.

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680FL in Upland: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jun 7, 1977 at 0740 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

El Dorado Leasing

Registration:

N6853S

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Upland - San Diego

MSN:

680-367-53

YOM:

1956

Location:

Upland

California

Country:

Region:

Landing (descent or approach)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1675

Captain / Total hours on type:

320.00

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Upland-Cable Airport in marginal weather conditions, the pilot reported problems with gyro when cruising at low in low ceiling, the airplane crashed into an airport complex. Four employees of the complex were injured while all five occupants of the airplane were killed.

Probable cause:

The airplane crashed after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Instruments/equipment and accessories - flight and navigation instruments: attitude gyro,
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Low altitude flight in low ceiling area,
- Pilot declared gyros out, reason undetermined.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Springfield: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 3, 1977 at 1626 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft E18

Operator:

Leone I. Van Torne

Registration:

N68A

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

BA-229

YOM:

1957

Location:

Springfield

Ohio

Country:

Region: