Region
North America
code

USA

Crash of a North American B-25H Mitchell in Dawsonville: 2 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
North American B-25 Mitchell
Operator:
Registration:
N96GC
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
100-21337
YOM:
1942
Location:
Dawsonville
Georgia
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:
6700
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a drug smuggling flight on this aircraft that was carrying 49 bales of marijuana. While flying at low height by night, the crew misjudged the distance with ground when the airplane hit the side of a high bluff and crashed about half a mile from an open field. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and both crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain after the crew misjudged altitude and clearance with ground. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Diverted attention from operation of aircraft,
- Unwarranted low flying.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed 18 LodeStar in Rockwood: 2 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 18 LodeStar
Operator:
Registration:
N75G
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Gainesville - Rockwood
MSN:
2482
YOM:
1943
Location:
Rockwood
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:
10685
Circumstances:
The airplane was engaged in an illegal flight from Gainesville to Rockwood, carrying a load of marijuana. On final approach to Rockwood Municipal Airport by night, in a gear up and flaps down configuration, the crew apparently attempted a low pass when the airplane struck trees located about a quarter mile short of runway and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was caused after the pilot-in-command failed to maintain flying speed and diverted attention from operation of the aircraft while completing a low pass by night.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S near Claude: 1 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft E18
Operator:
Registration:
N29N
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Postal (mail)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Amarillo - Dallas
MSN:
BA-304
YOM:
1957
Location:
Claude
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:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
6423
Captain / Total hours on type:
1425.00
Circumstances:
While on a night mail flight from Amarillo to Dallas-Fort Worth Airport, the pilot encountered very bad weather conditions. The aircraft descended into ground in an area of extremely violent weather and crashed in a mountainous area located near Claude. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the pilot was found. The wreckage was discovered on 29 August 1975 in an isolated area. The aircraft was totally destroyed and the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Instruments misread or failed to read,
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Thunderstorm activity,
- Visibility limited to half a mile or less,
- Haze.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I in Atlanta: 1 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I
Operator:
Dobbs-Leventhal
Registration:
N4006L
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Atlanta - Swainsboro
MSN:
421A-0106
YOM:
1968
Location:
Atlanta-DeKalb-Peachtree
Georgia
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
741
Captain / Total hours on type:
66.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Atlanta-DeKalb-Peachtree Airport, while climbing, an engine failed. The crew lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed by the airport. A pilot was killed while the second occupant was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure during initial climb for undetermined reason. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Gear and flaps down.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S near Lamesa: 1 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft D18
Operator:
Registration:
N177V
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
A-133
YOM:
1946
Location:
Lamesa
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:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
2000
Captain / Total hours on type:
150.00
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was completing a flight from Rockyford, Colorado. En route, the failure of the right engine forced the pilot to attempt an emergency landing when he lost control of the airplane that crashed in a sandy area located near Lamesa. The aircraft was destroyed by fire and the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine after the master and connecting rods failed in flight. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Material failure,
- Failed to maintain directional control,
- Right engine failed internally.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-3 Otter in Anchorage: 1 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-3 Otter
Operator:
Registration:
N90574
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Anchorage - Aniak
MSN:
174
YOM:
1956
Location:
Anchorage-Lake Hood
Alaska
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:
2768
Captain / Total hours on type:
20.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff from the gravel airstrip at Anchorage-Lake Hood, the single engine airplane encountered difficulties to gain height. It struck a lumber stack, a fence and crashed in flames onto a parking lot where five cars were damaged. The pilot, sole on board, was killed. He was en route to Aniak on a cargo flight.
Probable cause:
Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Improperly loaded aircraft,
- Incorrect trim setting,
- Aircraft at least 484 lbs over max gross weight.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Dove off Chicago: 1 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.104 Dove
Operator:
Astro Airways
Registration:
N1536V
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Chicago - Chicago
MSN:
04355
YOM:
1952
Location:
Chicago-Merrill C. Meigs
Illinois
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:
6650
Captain / Total hours on type:
22.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Chicago-Merrill C. Meigs, while climbing, both engines failed simultaneously. The pilot lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed into Lake Michigan. The aircraft was lost and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Complete failure of both engines due to fuel exhaustion. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Fuel exhaustion,
- Failure of both engines,
- Improper operations of flight controls,
- Fuel drained total less than two gallons from each wing,
- Right wing hit first and aircraft cartwheeled.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 411 in Memphis

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 411
Operator:
Registration:
N617JC
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Memphis - Baton Rouge
MSN:
411-0096
YOM:
1965
Location:
Memphis
Tennessee
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:
4070
Captain / Total hours on type:
800.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Memphi Airport, while climbing, the right engine malfunctioned. The pilot elected to return but as he was unable to feather the propeller, he attempted an emergency landing in an open field located few miles from the airport. The aircraft belly landed and slid for dozen yards before coming to rest. All six occupants were injured, three of them seriously. The aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Engine malfunction after a failure of the propeller governor control system. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Material failure,
- Propeller control P/N 5000009-10 broken at swaged on fitting, pilot secured the engine but was unable to return to the airport due to windmilling propeller.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Salisbury: 1 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft E18
Operator:
Omar Stoltzfus
Registration:
N23XY
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Salisbury - Fort Lauderdale - Port-au-Prince
MSN:
BA-118
YOM:
1956
Location:
Salisbury-Wicomico County
Maryland
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
2395
Captain / Total hours on type:
85.00
Circumstances:
While taking off by night from Salisbury Airport, one of the engine lost power. The pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed by the runway. A passenger was killed while four other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Engine malfunction for undetermined reason. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Failed to obtain/maintain flying speed,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Improperly loaded aircraft,
- Did not use fuel boost pumps for takeoff,
- Aircraft about 400 lbs over gross weight.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell T-39A-1-NA Sabreliner near Richmond: 3 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell T-39 Sabreliner
Operator:
Registration:
61-0646
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Test
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Andrews - Andrews
MSN:
265-49
YOM:
1962
Location:
Richmond
Virginia
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew departed Andrews AFB on a test flight. While cruising over Virginia and while completing various manoeuvres, the crew lost control of the airplane that crashed in flames in an open field located in the region of Richmond. All three crew members were killed.
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