Crash of a Beechcraft C-45G Expeditor in Beatty

Date & Time: May 28, 1977 at 1120 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N6065V
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Davis - Beatty
MSN:
AF-206
YOM:
1952
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2952
Captain / Total hours on type:
548.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Beatty, one of the engine failed. The pilot elected to make a go-around when the airplane lost height, struck power cables and crashed. All four occupants were slightly injured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine malfunction on go-around due to blower, impeller assembly failure. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Material failure,
- High obstructions,
- Forced landing off airport on land.
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 25B in Detroit

Date & Time: May 26, 1977 at 0940 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N501PS
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Detroit - Detroit
MSN:
25-153
YOM:
1974
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
9291
Captain / Total hours on type:
218.00
Circumstances:
The crew departed Detroit-Ypsilanti Airport on a positioning (exec) flight to Detroit-Wayne County Airport. After touchdown on runway 33, the airplane encountered difficulties to decelerate. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, it overran, struck a fence and came to rest in flames against a concrete pole located 950 feet further. Both pilots were injured and the airplane was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot-in-command caused the airplane to ran off the end of the runway. The thrust reversers were found in stowed position.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed 18-56-23 LodeStar near Lone Pine

Date & Time: May 20, 1977
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N20GY
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
2437
YOM:
1943
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following an improper level off, the twin engine airplane crash landed near Lone Pine. The undercarriage collapsed on landing then the airplane slid on its belly and came to rest in flames. The pilot disappeared and was not found while the aircraft was destroyed by fire. It was engaged in a contraband flight.
Probable cause:
Improper level off and hard landing caused the undercarriage to fail.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Taplin: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 6, 1977 at 0615 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N7439L
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Taplin - Ambler
MSN:
31-328
YOM:
1968
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
18000
Captain / Total hours on type:
1000.00
Circumstances:
The takeoff was initiated in adverse weather conditions with fog. After takeoff, the twin engine airplane descended and crashed half a mile east of the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain during climb after the pilot initiated flight in adverse weather conditions. The exact cause of the accident could not be determined. The following findings were reported:
- Fog,
- Visibility 1/4 mile or less.
Final Report:

Crash of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando off Fort Lauderdale

Date & Time: May 6, 1977 at 0302 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N355W
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Fort Lauderdale – Miami – San Juan
MSN:
22523
YOM:
1945
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
20313
Captain / Total hours on type:
9130.00
Circumstances:
The aircraft was engaged in a cargo flight from Fort Lauderdale to San Juan with an intermediate stop in Miami, carrying three Enstrom helicopters, one passenger and two pilots. Shortly after a night takeoff from Hollywood Airport, while climbing, the crew informed ATC about problems with the right engine that lost power. The captain decided to ditch the airplane that crashed into the sea about 300 yards offshore. While all three occupants were rescued, the aircraft was lost.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine during initial climb after the pilot attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection,
- Powerplant - propeller and accessories: governors,
- Ignition systems: magnetos,
- Excessive-wear/play,
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Partial loss of power on one engine,
- Right engine, left magneto excessive drop,
- Attempted feather right prop, unfeather due to pressure switch malfunction.
Final Report:

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

Date & Time: May 3, 1977 at 1325 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N6578L
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Austin - McAllen
MSN:
31-503
YOM:
1969
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3100
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude, the right engine caught fire and failed. The pilot reduced his altitude and completed an intentional wheels-up landing in a pasture. The airplane slid on its belly and came to rest. The pilot was uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine fire in flight due to improper maintenance. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection,
- Engine structure - valve assemblies missing,
- Intentional wheels-up landing,
- Fire in engine,
- Suspected or known aircraft damage,
- Three valve cover screws missing from both center cylinder on right engine, ten others loose.
Final Report:

Crash of a Hawker-Siddeley HS.125-600A in McLean: 4 killed

Date & Time: Apr 28, 1977 at 2038 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N40PC
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Washington DC - Birmingham
MSN:
256010
YOM:
1973
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
7807
Captain / Total hours on type:
1900.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4049
Copilot / Total hours on type:
114
Aircraft flight hours:
1904
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Washington-National Airport bound for Birmingham, Alabama. Four minutes later, while climbing to an altitude of 9,300 feet, monitoring radar stations lost continuous reception of the aircraft's primary and secondary radar target information. Shortly thereafter, ground witnesses saw an explosion in the sky followed by the wreckage of the aircraft falling to the ground. the sky was overcast and light rain was falling. The four persons aboard were killed and the aircraft was destroyed. One residence and two automobiles were destroyed by impact and fire and several other homes were damaged by falling debris.
Probable cause:
A failure or malfunction of an undetermined nature in the pilot's attitude indicating system which led to a loss of control and overstress of the aircraft structure.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanker at Beale AFB

Date & Time: Apr 28, 1977 at 0345 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
58-0101
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Beale - Beale
MSN:
17846/316
YOM:
1959
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
7821
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a night training mission at Beale AFB consisting of touch-and-goes. After touchdown, the airplane collided with cattle roaming on runway. Decision to abort was taken but unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran and came to rest in flames. All seven occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was destroyed. Five cattle were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that a fence was broken and six cattle walked through and on to the main runway. Due to limited visibility caused by night, pilots and ATC failed to see the animals.

Crash of a Rockwell Sabreliner 75A in Palwaukee

Date & Time: Apr 27, 1977 at 1336 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N6NR
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Pontiac - Palwaukee
MSN:
380-43
YOM:
1975
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
8540
Captain / Total hours on type:
3050.00
Circumstances:
For unknown reasons, the crew selected the wrong runway to land at Wheeling-Palwaukee Airport (Chicago-Executive) taking into consideration the wind component. After touchdown, the captain elected to use all available brake systems when the copilot stowed reversers. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran, went through a fence and a road and eventually crashed in a warehouse. Both pilots as well as three people on the ground were injured. The aircraft was destroyed as well as two cars.
Probable cause:
Overshoot on landing after the crew misjudged distance and speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper operation of powerplant and powerplant controls,
- Spontaneous improper action on part of the copilot,
- Poor crew coordination,
- Selected wrong runway relative to existing wind,
- Powerplant - thrust reverser,
- Material failure,
- Asymmetrical thrust reversal,
- Right engine flex shafts failed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 340 off Kauna Point

Date & Time: Apr 26, 1977 at 0005 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N7839Q
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Pago Pago - Honolulu
MSN:
340-0220
YOM:
1973
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3500
Captain / Total hours on type:
31.00
Circumstances:
The pilot was completing a ferry flight from Pago Pago to Honolulu. While approaching Hawaii Island, both engines failed. The pilot reduced his altitude and attempted to ditch the aircraft that crashed about 28 NM southwest of Kauna Point. The pilot was seriously injured and the aircraft was lost.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure in flight due to fuel exhaustion. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fuel leak in left tip tank from unknown origin.
Final Report: