Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon in Igiugig: 4 killed

Date & Time:
Registration:
N91142
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
South Naknek - Igiugig - Dillingham
MSN:
207-0089
YOM:
1969
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
1345
Captain / Total hours on type:
1200.00
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane departed Igiugig Airstrip in poor weather conditions with low clouds and a limited visibility due to snow falls. During climb, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed on the slope of a mountain. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all four occupants have been killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Snow.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Shafter

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N4277B
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
MSN:
BA-80
YOM:
1955
Location:
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:
3500.00
Circumstances:
En route to Pontiac, Michigan, the pilot encountered technical problems with the engines that stopped almost simultaneously. He completed a intentional wheels-up landing in a desert area located in Shafter and the twin engine airplane came to rest after sliding for few dozen yards. While the airplane was damaged beyond repair, both occupants escaped uninjured.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure caused by a fuel starvation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Intentional wheels-up,
- Fuel system,
- Unapproved modification,
- Rough terrain,
- Three 80 gallons tanks installed in fuselage.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560E in Reading: 1 killed

Date & Time:
Registration:
N3842C
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Albany - Reading
MSN:
560-727
YOM:
1959
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
2850
Captain / Total hours on type:
107.00
Circumstances:
The approach to Reading Airport was initiated in marginal weather conditions with fog and low clouds. On final, the airplane struck the ground and crashed 3,6 miles south of Reading LOM while cleared for an ILS approach to runway 36. The pilot was killed while both passengers were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain on final approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Fog.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Burlington: 1 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N386
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Saint Cloud - Burlington
MSN:
BA-95
YOM:
1955
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
2891
Captain / Total hours on type:
1892.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Burlington Airport by night and poor weather conditions, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed few miles from the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Stall on approach after the pilot failed to follow approved procedures. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to use or incorrectly used miscellaneous equipment,
- Airframe ice,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain,
- Haze,
- Pilot departed with rime ice on aircraft,
- Deicing switches found in OFF position.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500 in Oakland

Date & Time:
Registration:
N202Q
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Concord - San Jose
MSN:
500-793
YOM:
1959
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3346
Captain / Total hours on type:
684.00
Circumstances:
While cruising at low altitude in poor weather conditions, the twin engine airplane struck a hillside near Oakland. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
The crew continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- High obstructions,
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Turbulences associated with clouds and thunderstorm activity,
- Fog.
Final Report:

Crash of a Gulfstream GII in Burlington

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N397F
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Newark - Burlington
MSN:
72
YOM:
1969
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
4744
Captain / Total hours on type:
754.00
Circumstances:
On final approach, during the last segment, the airplane was unstable and rolled right and left. This caused the right wing to struck the runway surface then the left wing. The aircraft cartwheeled and came to rest. While all four occupants escaped uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Improper operation of flight controls caused the aircraft to cartwheel on landing. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Unfavorable wind conditions,
- Snow showers.
Final Report:

Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2B-20 in Argyle: 1 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N531MA
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Manchester - Bennington
MSN:
130
YOM:
1968
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
2897
Captain / Total hours on type:
45.00
Circumstances:
While in initial approach to Bennington-William H. Morse State Airport, the twin engine airplane lost height, stalled and crashed in flames in Argyle, about 26 miles northwest of Bennington Airport. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control after the pilot failed to maintain flying speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Attempted operation beyond experience/ability level,
- Icing conditions including sleet, freezing rain,
- Fog,
- After four day checkout in an aircraft, instructor told the student pilot not to attempt IFR flight until he attended formal school.
Final Report:

Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2B-35 Marquise in Easton: 3 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N300MA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Fort Lauderdale - Easton
MSN:
596
YOM:
1973
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
16800
Captain / Total hours on type:
1900.00
Circumstances:
During the last segment on final approach to Easton-Newnam Field Airport, at a height of about 150 feet, the left engine failed. The pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed 200 feet to the left of runway. It was destroyed by impact forces and all three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Diverted attention from operation of aircraft,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Black smoke observed followed by a stall departure to the left.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas YC-112A-DO in Van Nuys: 3 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N901MA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Burbank - Ontario
MSN:
36326
YOM:
1946
Flight number:
MA901
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
10558
Copilot / Total flying hours:
6600
Aircraft flight hours:
10280
Circumstances:
During acceleration, the flight engineer stated, "Look at that warning light on No. 3." There was no verbal response from any other crewmember. The aircraft was accelerated normally to V1 and V2, was rotated, and was lifted off without difficulty. Shortly after the captain called for gear and flaps up, a loud noise was heard and the flight engineer announced that they had lost the No. 3 engine. The No.. 1 blade of the No. 3 propeller had and the loss of the blade caused an imbalance that caused separation, almost instantly, of the No. 3 engine from the aircraft. The propeller blade penetrated the lower fuselage of the aircraft and penetrated the lower inboard side of the No. 2 engine. As the blade passed through the fuselage, it severed pneumatic, hydraulic, and emergency airbrake lines as well as the electrical wiring for propeller controls and some engine instruments. The first officer informed the captain that the engine had separated. The aircraft continued to climb and began a right turn. An emergency was declared and the crew requested and received clearance for a landing on runway 07. Debris was discovered on the intersection of runways 07/25 and 15/23, but the pilot decided to continue the approach. The aircraft touched down near the end of runway 07. The captain called for flap retraction and for the props to be put in reverse pitch. The engine sounds increased, and the first officer advised the captain that the propellers were not going into reverse and to use the brakes. As the engine sound decreased, the captain replied that nothing was happening. Maximum power was applied and the aircraft again took off, and cleared the blast fence at the end of the runway by approximately 30 feet (9 m). At 10:39:35, the crew advised the Hollywood-Burbank Tower that they had no brakes and that they were proceeding to the Van Nuys Airport (VNY). The crew the saw that the No. 2 oil pressure was low and that there was no BMEP indication. Attempts to feather the No. 2 propeller were not successful, and the No. 2 engine stopped with the propeller blades at a positive, low pitch angle. Van Nuys cleared the flight for landing on runway 16, but the crew replied that they wouldn't make it, and requested runway 34. At 10:43:22, the Van Nuys local controller cleared the flight to land on runway 34L. While approaching the airport, the airplane was losing altitude and airspeed. The crew realized that they would not make it to the runway. The throttles were retarded and a forced landing was attempted on the Woodley Municipal Golf Course, about 1 mile south of the Van Nuys Airport. The aircraft touched down on it's main landing gear and bounced three times. The nose of the aircraft struck a 24-inch-high (61 cm) concrete foundation of a partially constructed building. The aircraft came to rest against a house trailer parked nearby and caught fire about 20 minutes after it came to rest. Three crew members were killed while three other occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
The degraded performance of the aircraft after two engines failed. The dual failure was precipitated by the in-flight failure of the No.1 blade of the No.3 propeller assembly. The failure of the propeller blade resulted from a fatigue crack which originated in the leading edge under the deicer boot. The crack had not been detected during an improperly performed overhaul.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45G Expeditor in Lafayette: 2 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N3329G
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Lafayette - Patterson
MSN:
AF-267
YOM:
1953
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
2875
Captain / Total hours on type:
520.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Lafayette Regional Airport, while climbing by night, the airplane lost height, struck trees and crashed in a swamp. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed. Weather conditions were marginal at the time of the accidents with fog.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees during initial climb due to inadequate preflight preparation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Initiated flight in adverse weather conditions,
- Improper operation of flight controls,
- Improperly loaded aircraft, CofG,
- Cargo shifted,
- Aircraft came to rest in water,
- Fog,
- Entered unknown thin layer of fog,
- Did not update weather.
Final Report: