Region
North America
code

USA

Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600) in Morganfield: 2 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600)
Operator:
Bill Hames Shows
Registration:
N7549S
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Test
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Morganfield - Morganfield
MSN:
60-0180-079
Location:
Morganfield
Kentucky
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:
17000
Captain / Total hours on type:
50.00
Circumstances:
Just after takeoff from Morganfield, while climbing, the airplane stalled and crashed in a field. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants have been killed. The crew was completing a local test flight after a paraplegic rudder control device was installed on the left rudder pedal.
Probable cause:
Stall after the pilot failed to follow approved procedures. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Simulated conditions,
- Unapproved modification,
- Interference with flight controls,
- Right engine magneto switch in OFF position.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500 in Fontana: 1 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 500
Operator:
Hripsimee Marsubiam
Registration:
N6242B
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Torrance - San Bernardino
MSN:
500-655-15
YOM:
1958
Location:
Fontana
California
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:
8000
Captain / Total hours on type:
300.00
Circumstances:
While descending to San Bernardino Airport on a flight from Torrance, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions when the twin engine airplane hit a large boulder on a mountain ridge located in Fontana, about 9 miles southwest of San Bernardino Airport. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain during initial approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- High obstructions,
- Ground fog,
- Descended below published MDA.
Final Report:

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

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II
Operator:
Stilwell Aircraft Service
Registration:
N71HG
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Albuquerque - Gage - Tahlequah
MSN:
421B-0136
YOM:
1971
Location:
Follett-Lipscomb County
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
1000
Captain / Total hours on type:
100.00
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was completing a flight from Albuquerque to Tahlequah, Oklahoma, with an intermediate stop in Gage. En route, the left engine lost power and the pilot elected to divert to Follett-Lipscomb County Airport. On approach, the airplane stalled and crashed in flames in a prairie. The pilot was killed and all three passengers were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Engine malfunction during normal cruise and stall on initial approach due to insufficient speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection,
- Lubricating system,
- Oil exhaustion,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Improper IFR operation,
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Fog.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 340 in Laramie: 2 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 340
Operator:
681 Ltd
Registration:
N69498
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Ogden – Laramie – Denver
MSN:
340-0336
YOM:
1974
Location:
Laramie-General Herbert J. Brees
Wyoming
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:
1349
Circumstances:
While descending to Laramie-General Herbert J. Brees Regional Airport, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with snow falls. On final, the airplane banked left, went into a near vertical attitude then lost height and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Spin on final approach after the pilot failed to maintain flying speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper operation of flight controls,
- Improper IFR operation,
- Failed to initiate a go-around,
- Poorly planned approach,
- Snow,
- Observers reported weather marginal in accident quadrant.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-3 Otter off Upolu

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-3 Otter
Operator:
Horizon Air Service
Registration:
N35310
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Kamuela - Honolulu
MSN:
293
YOM:
1959
Location:
Upolu
Hawaii
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:
4321
Captain / Total hours on type:
401.00
Circumstances:
En route from Kamuela to Honolulu, the engine failed. The pilot reduced his altitude and ditch the aircraft off Upolu, on the north coast of Hawaii Island. While both occupants were rescued, the aircraft sank and was not recovered.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon near Anaktuvuk Pass: 5 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 207 Skywagon/Stationair
Operator:
Registration:
N1707U
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Anaktuvuk Pass - Bettles
MSN:
207-0307
YOM:
1975
Flight number:
FTA528
Location:
Anaktuvuk Pass
Alaska
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:
1744
Captain / Total hours on type:
35.00
Circumstances:
Few minutes after it departed Anaktuvuk Pass Airstrip, while cruising in poor weather conditions, the single engine airplane struck the ground and crashed. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were killed. The flight was completed on behalf of Wien Air Alaska.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain during normal cruise after the pilot initiated flight in adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Snow,
- Whiteout conditions,
- Weather slightly worse than forecast,
- Overcast,
- Visibility 1/2 mile or less,
- Blowing snow,
- Weather conditions below minimus,
- The pilot had just flown thru same weather.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560 in Henderson

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 560
Operator:
Registration:
N2713B
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Monroeville – Mansfield – Ennis
MSN:
560-213
YOM:
1955
Location:
Henderson
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
11252
Captain / Total hours on type:
59.00
Circumstances:
While in normal cruise, both engines stopped. The pilot reduced his altitude and completed a belly landing in an open field located near Henderson. Two passengers were seriously injured while four other occupants were slightly injured. The aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure due to fuel exhaustion. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Intentional wheels-up,
- Fuel quantity gauge erratic,
- Rough terrain.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-90 King Air off Akutan Island

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 90 King Air
Operator:
Kenai Air Services
Registration:
N2400X
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Kenai - Dutch Harbor
MSN:
LJ-18
YOM:
1965
Location:
Akutan (Akutan Island)
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
6350
Captain / Total hours on type:
61.00
Circumstances:
While flying along the Aleutian Islands on a charter flight from Kenai to Dutch Harbor, the crew realized his fuel reserve was low and decided to reduce his altitude and to ditch the aircraft off Akutan Island. All five occupants were quickly rescued while the aircraft was lost.
Probable cause:
Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the crew. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Miscalculation of fuel consumption,
- Airways facilities,
- Pilot ditched the aircraft due to low fuel state,
- Driftwood Bay beacon inoperative due to antenna damage.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft B60 Duke in Palm Desert: 6 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 60 Duke
Operator:
Chartair - USA
Registration:
N37D
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
San Diego – Palm Springs
MSN:
P-335
YOM:
1975
Location:
Palm Desert
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
4900
Captain / Total hours on type:
38.00
Circumstances:
En route from San Diego to Palm Springs, weather conditions deteriorated and the twin engine airplane entered a thunderstorm area with severe turbulences and strong winds. The right empennage assembly and the right outboard wing panel failed in flight, causing the airplane to enter an uncontrolled descent and to crash in flames near Palm Desert. The aircraft was destroyed and all six occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Airframe failure in flight and uncontrolled descent after the pilot exceeded the designed stress limits of the aircraft. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Windshear,
- Turbulences associated with clouds and thunderstorms,
- Overload failure,
- Continued VFR flight in adverse weather conditions,
- Separation in flight,
- Weather slightly worse than forecast,
- Gusts 80 knots,
- Severe turbulence was reported in area.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon in Vero Beach

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 207 Skywagon/Stationair
Operator:
Carter Aircraft
Registration:
N1578U
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Hilton Head - Fort Pierce
MSN:
207-0178
YOM:
1970
Location:
Vero 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:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
32000
Circumstances:
En route from Hilton Head to Fort Pierce, the pilot encountered engine problems and elected to make an emergency landing. He reduced his altitude and attempted to land near Vero Beach when the airplane struck trees and crashed. The airplane was damaged beyond repair and both occupants escaped with minor injuries.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons.
Final Report:
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