Region
North America
code

USA

Crash of a Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanker near Alpena: 15 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
Operator:
Registration:
61-0296
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Kenneth Ingalls Sawyer - Oscoda-Wurtsmith
MSN:
18203/518
YOM:
1962
Location:
Alpena
Michigan
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
15
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
15
Aircraft flight hours:
6109
Circumstances:
The four engine airplane departed Kenneth Ingalls Sawyer AFB in the early morning on a flight to Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport. En route, the partially disintegrated in the air, entered a dive and crashed in a swampy area located 12,5 miles southwest of Alpena. 15 occupants were killed while five others were rescued.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty but the assumption that the aircraft partially disintegrated in the air following a possible cabin pressurization problem was not ruled out.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain near Piñon: 2 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain
Operator:
Registration:
N54294
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
31-7405231
YOM:
1974
Location:
Piñon
New Mexico
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
Circumstances:
Apparently coming from Mexico, the twin engine airplane was completing an illegal flight, carrying a load of 600 kilos of marijuana. After a first low pass, the pilot reduced his altitude and while attempting a second low pass, probably to jettison the load, the airplane struck trees and crashed in flames. The wreckage was found a day later and both occupants have been killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with ground during a low pass by night. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Misjudged altitude and clearance,
- High obstructions,
- Hit trees on second low pass.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II in Ashdown: 3 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II
Operator:
Owens Company
Registration:
N29RX
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Atlanta - Abilene
MSN:
421B-0556
YOM:
1973
Location:
Ashdown
Arkansas
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:
10079
Captain / Total hours on type:
533.00
Circumstances:
While cruising under VFR mode, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with clouds, turbulences and thunderstorm activity. The airplane suffered overload failure, disintegrated in the air and crashed in Ashdown. The wreckage was found a day later. All three occupants have been killed.
Probable cause:
Airframe failure in flight after the crew continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Overload failure,
- Thunderstorm activity,
- Turbulences associated with clouds and thunderstorms,
- Separation in flight,
- Sky obscured,
- Visibility half a mile or less,
- Aircraft disintegrated.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45H Expeditor in West Palm Beach: 2 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
Operator:
Open Air International
Registration:
N3505G
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
AF-370
YOM:
1953
Location:
West Palm Beach
Florida
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:
790
Circumstances:
While taking off from an unlighted grass strip by night, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed in flames. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees during initial climb after the pilot failed to maintain directional control.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 414 Chancellor in Florida: 4 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 414 Chancellor
Operator:
Ruel Insurance
Registration:
N8PR
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Miami - Fort Lauderdale - Tallahassee
MSN:
414-0254
YOM:
1971
Location:
Brighton-Grass Field
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
798
Captain / Total hours on type:
266.00
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Fort Lauderdale bound for Tallahassee with three passengers and a pilot on board. While cruising at an altitude of 12,500 feet in good weather conditions, the airplane collided with a USAF Douglas F-4E Phantom II registered 67-0255. Engaged in a routine exercise with two other F-4, the fighter departed Homestead AFB with two pilots on board under call sign 'Reed 11' and was descending to enter a restricted area for low-level gunnery practice. Both planes collided outside the boundaries of restricted airspace. The Cessna dove into the ground and crashed in the Brighton Indian Reserve, killing all four occupants. A pilot onboard the F-4E was killed while the second pilot ejected successfully and was injured. Both aircraft were destroyed upon impact.
Probable cause:
Failure of the pilots of the 'Reed 11' flight to maintain adequate vigilance in order to see and avoid the light aircraft. Base Supplement 1 to Tactical Air Command Manual 55-4 which allowed a VFR descent into the Avon Park gunnery range and Air Force Regulation 60-16 which required all flights to be conducted under IFR conditions unless to do so would result in contributing to the accident was the inconsistency between Homestead Air Force unacceptable mission derogation.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Covington: 2 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft E18
Operator:
Registration:
N1052N
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Wakeman - Memphis
MSN:
BA-265
YOM:
1957
Location:
Covington
Tennessee
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:
22950
Circumstances:
While approaching by night to Memphis Airport on a cargo flight from Wakeman, the airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a field located in Covington, about 40 miles northeast of Memphis Airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined as the aircraft was totally destroyed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402B in Molokai

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
Air Molokai
Registration:
N69391
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Molokai - Honolulu
MSN:
402B-0529
YOM:
1973
Location:
Molokai
Hawaii
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1503
Captain / Total hours on type:
400.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Molokai Airport, the pilot encountered control problems and the airplane became unstable. In such conditions, he decided to reduce his altitude and to attempt an emergency landing in a prairie. Upon landing, the airplane slid for several yards before coming to rest. Two passengers were seriously injured while seven other occupants escaped with minor injuries.
Probable cause:
Airframe failure during initial climb due to improper maintenance on part of the maintenance personnel. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Flight control systems: elevator and elevator tab control system,
- Improperly installed,
- Chafed,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Elevator cable P/N 5000008-8 misrouted outside pulley guard pin,
- Cable wore and broke from chaffing.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680FP in Fall City: 1 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Wayne W. Johnson
Registration:
N680FP
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Wenatchee - Seattle
MSN:
680-1322-135
YOM:
1963
Location:
Fall City
Washington
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:
950
Circumstances:
The pilot started the descent to Seattle-Boeing Field Airport when the left engine failed. The airplane entered a dive, went through the clouds and crashed in flames in Fall City. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent following an in-flight powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Improper operation of flight controls,
- Cause of feathered propeller could not be found,
- Observed spinning out of clouds.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon in East Troy: 2 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 207 Skywagon/Stationair
Operator:
Frank M. Stankovich
Registration:
N91061
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Madison - Wheeling
MSN:
207-0048
YOM:
1969
Location:
East Troy
Wisconsin
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:
650
Captain / Total hours on type:
50.00
Circumstances:
While cruising by night on a flight from Madison to Wheeling, the single engine airplane went out of control, entered a dive and crashed in East Troy. Both occupants were killed. The pilot was intoxicated at the time of the accident.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent following pilot's physical impairment. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Alcoholic impairment of efficiency and judgment,
- Blood alcohol level 1,45‰.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 99 Airliner in Bar Harbor

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 99 Airliner
Operator:
Registration:
N200WP
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Bangor - Bar Harbor
MSN:
U-3
YOM:
1968
Location:
Bar Harbor-Hancock County
Maine
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:
9797
Captain / Total hours on type:
2501.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Bar Harbor-Hancock County Airport, the pilot encountered bad weather conditions with low ceiling, rain falls and fog. On final, the twin engine airplane struck a 220 feet high hill located about 3 miles short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was injured.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain on final approach after the pilot failed to follow approved procedures. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper IFR operation,
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Fog,
- Visibility two miles or less,
- Weather conditions below minimums,
- Altimeter tested ok after crash.
Final Report:
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