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Crash of a Convair CV-880-22M-22 in Miami

Date & Time: Dec 16, 1976 at 0330 LT
Type of aircraft:
Convair CV-880
Operator:
Air Trine
Registration:
N5865
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Miami - Santo Domingo
MSN:
22-00-57
YOM:
1961
Location:
Miami-Intl
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
16918
Captain / Total hours on type:
6643.00
Circumstances:
The aircraft was engaged in a cargo flight from Miami-Intl to Santo Domingo, carrying three crew members and a load consisting of 37 cows. During the takeoff roll completed by night on runway 09L, the captain decided to abandon the takeoff procedure and started an emergency braking manoeuvre. unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran, collided with the localizer antenna located about 1,000 feet past the runway end and eventually came to rest into a ditch. All three crew members were seriously injured and all 37 cows were killed. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Collision with ditches during an aborted takeoff because the aircraft was improperly loaded. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Operational supervisory personnel: deficiency, company maintained equipment, services, regulation,
- Improperly loaded aircraft weight and balance and CofG,
- Delayed action in aborting takeoff,
- CofG beyond the forward limit.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 200 in Wildwood: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 12, 1976 at 2326 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter
Operator:
Atlantic City Airlines
Registration:
N101AC
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Philadelphia - Atlantic City - Wildwood
MSN:
262
YOM:
1969
Flight number:
AL977
Location:
Wildwood-Cape May County
New Jersey
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
7428
Captain / Total hours on type:
5200.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4306
Copilot / Total hours on type:
282
Circumstances:
About 2326LT on December 12, 1976, an Atlantic City Airlines, Inc., De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter (N101AC) operating as Allegheny Commuter Flight 977, crashed about 4,000 feet short of the approach end of runway 19 at Cape May County Airport, New Jersey. The flight was making a VOR approach to runway 23 with a circle to land on runway 19. Of the 10 persons aboard, 4 died of injuries received in the crash. The aircraft was destroyed. About 10 minutes before the accident, according to official observation logs, at Cape May County Airport the sky was obscured with a 400 feet indefinite ceiling; the visibility was 1 mi in fog; and the wind was from 250° at 6 kns. Visibility was 1 mi to the south and west and 1 1/2
mi to the east and north.
Probable cause:
The flight crew's lack of altitude awareness during a circling approach permitting the aircraft's flight path to deviate below a safe approach profile. The aircraft's rate of descent and descent flight path angle increased as a result of windshear encountered during visual approach below minimum descent altitude. The flight crew did not recognize these flight path deviations because they were relying on visual references which were degraded by non-homogeneous fog and on kinesthetic cues which were adversely affected by the aircraft's forward centre of gravity resulting from the improperly loaded aircraft. Contributing to the accident was the lack of company procedures requiring altitude-callouts during the visual portion of an approach.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601) in Framingham

Date & Time: Dec 12, 1976 at 1800 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601)
Operator:
Arnold Zohn
Registration:
N90337
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Boston - White Plains
MSN:
61-0195-090
YOM:
1975
Location:
Framingham
Massachusetts
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5000
Captain / Total hours on type:
1600.00
Circumstances:
En route from Boston to White Plains in normal cruise, both engines failed. The pilot reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing when the airplane struck trees and crashed in Framingham. Both occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure in flight due to fuel exhaustion. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Fuel exhaustion,
- Powerplant - fuel quantity gauge,
- Forced landing off airport on land.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II in Winchester: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 11, 1976 at 1820 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II
Operator:
Overmyer Corporation
Registration:
N570C
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Muncie - Winchester
MSN:
421B-0426
YOM:
1973
Location:
Winchester-Randolph County
Indiana
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:
5258
Captain / Total hours on type:
1370.00
Circumstances:
The pilot obtained a special VFR clearance to fly from Muncie to Winchester. While descending to Winchester-Randolph County Airport, he encountered poor weather conditions and was forced to make a go-around as he was unable to locate the runway. After 3 or 4 go-around manoeuvres, the twin engine airplane crashed in foggy conditions near the airport and was destroyed upon impact. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain during traffic pattern-circling following improper in-flight decisions and planning. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Misjudged altitude,
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Weather considerably worse than forecast,
- Ceiling at 200 feet,
- IFR weather conditions,
- Witnesses estimated 3 or 4 approaches to airport.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed P-1 Ventura in the Yosemite National Park: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 9, 1976
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed PV-1 Ventura
Operator:
Red River Ranch Inc.
Registration:
N80BD
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Baja - Reno
MSN:
5375
YOM:
1943
Location:
Yosemite National Park
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:
5000
Circumstances:
The crew was completing an illegal flight from Mexico to Reno. En route, the twin engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in the Yosemite National Park. SAR operations were initiated but eventually suspended after few days as no trace of the aircraft nor both occupants was found. Walkers found the wreckage in an isolated area on 14 June 1977.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined. However, the following findings were reported:
- Airframe failure,
- Wing attachment fittings, bolts,
- Overload failure,
- Separation in flight,
- Transportation of narcotics.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680E in Mineral

Date & Time: Dec 9, 1976
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Andan G. Oscar
Registration:
N344V
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
680-0770-46
YOM:
1959
Location:
Mineral
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
Circumstances:
While completing an illegal drug transportation flight, the pilot elected to land on a private terrain when the airplane struck power cables and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and pilot was not found.
Probable cause:
Collision with wires/poles after the pilot failed to see and avoid objects or obstructions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- High obstructions,
- Illegal flight,
- Aircraft believed burned by pilot.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601P) in Costa Mesa: 5 killed

Date & Time: Dec 5, 1976 at 1612 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601)
Operator:
Continental Interiors
Registration:
N7485S
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Mazatlán – San Diego – Santa Ana
MSN:
61-0052-097
YOM:
1970
Location:
Santa Ana-John Wayne
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
571
Captain / Total hours on type:
149.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Santa Ana-John Wayne Airport, while at low altitude, the left engine failed. The pilot lost control of the airplane that spun to the ground and crashed in Costa Mesa, about 2,5 miles short of runway 02L. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants have been killed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure and stall on final approach due to mismanagement of fuel. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fuel starvation,
- Misjudged distance and altitude,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Poorly planned approach,
- Left propeller not feathered,
- Long low final,
- Got below VMC.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain off Grand View-On-Hudson: 3 killed

Date & Time: Dec 4, 1976 at 1205 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain
Operator:
Registration:
N59825
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Philadelphia - White Plains
MSN:
31-7652076
YOM:
1976
Location:
Grand View-On-Hudson
New York
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
Captain / Total flying hours:
3000
Circumstances:
En route from Philadelphia to White Plains with three people on board, the twin engine airplane collided with a Cessna 172 operated by Teterboro Flight Service, registered N75604 and carrying two people. Following the collision, both aircraft went out of control and crashed into the Hudson River near the Tappan Zee Bridge. Both aircraft were destroyed and all five occupants have been killed.
Probable cause:
In-flight collision after the pilot failed to see and avoid other aircraft. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Not under radar contact,
- No control zone,
- Fresh scuff marks on leading edge of deicing boot of vertical stabilizer.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-117B Skytrain near Victoria: 5 killed

Date & Time: Nov 30, 1976
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-117 Skytrain
Operator:
Registration:
N2010
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Spraying (Agricultural)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
18549/34130
YOM:
1945
Location:
Victoria
Texas
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
Circumstances:
The airplane and its crew were engaged in a special operation to disperse sterile screw worms on behalf of the US Department of Agriculture. While flying at an altitude of 5,500 feet in marginal weather conditions and limited visibility, the airplane struck a mountain and was destroyed. All five occupants have been killed.

Crash of a Beechcraft E90 King Air in Tok: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 29, 1976 at 1855 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 90 King Air
Operator:
Registration:
N6843S
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Tok - Anchorage
MSN:
LW-137
YOM:
1975
Location:
Tok
Alaska
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:
6291
Captain / Total hours on type:
311.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Tok Airport in poor weather conditions, the pilot lost control of the airplane that descended to the ground and crashed near the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent during initial climb after the pilot suffered a spatial disorientation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Turbulences associated with clouds and thunderstorms,
- Rain,
- Fog,
- Ceiling at 400 feet,
- Wind gusting to 40 knots.
Final Report:
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