United States of America

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Middletown - Atlantic City

MSN:

5283

YOM:

1943

Location:

Atlantic City-Pomona

New Jersey

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2543

Captain / Total hours on type:

965.00

Circumstances:

While descending to Atlantic City-Pomona Airport, the crew completed a 350° turn to join the approach path when control was lost. The airplane stalled and crashed in flames in Egg Harbor, few miles from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were killed.

Probable cause:

Failed to maintain flying speed on initial approach. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Airframe ice,
- Icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain,
- Crashed in steep nose down attitude during a 350° turn heading change to intercept localizer.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3D in Houston: 5 killed

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-3

Operator:

Horizon Properties

Registration:

N15HC

Flight Phase:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Houston-George Bush-Intercontinental

Schedule:

Tulsa - Lawton - Huntsville

MSN:

43080

YOM:

1946

Location:

Texas

Country:

Region:

Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5000

Captain / Total hours on type:

4100.00

Circumstances:

Weather conditions in Huntsville were poor so the crew decided to divert to Houston-William P. Hobby Intercontinental Airport. The approach was initiated in low visibility due to foggy conditions. On final approach, the airplane struck a 75 feet high electronic tower located two miles short of runway and crashed in a field. Both pilots and three passengers were killed. At the time of the accident, the visibility was a 1/4 mile or less in fog. The charter flight was completed on behalf of Mohawk Airlines.

Probable cause:

Improper in-flight decisions and improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- High obstructions,
- Visibility below minimums,
- Crew fatigue,
- Attempted a combined NDB & surv approach after missed ILS approach below minimums conditions.

Final Report:

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

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Kenai Air Services

Registration:

N54734

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Kenai - Gulkana

MSN:

31-7405256

YOM:

1974

Location:

Valdez

Alaska

Country:

Region:

Rockwell Aero Commander 680

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1345

Captain / Total hours on type:

5.00

Circumstances:

En route from Kenai to Gulkana, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the twin engine airplane crashed on a snow covered mountain located in the region of Valdez. SAR operations were quickly suspended due to risk of avalanches. Few days later, it was confirmed that both occupants did not survive the accident.

Probable cause:

The pilot misjudged altitude, causing the aircraft to stuck the ground. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- High obstructions,
- Flew into rising terrain.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 680V in Olathe: 1 killed

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N399T

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Oklahoma City - Olathe

MSN:

680-1532-2

YOM:

1965

Location:

Olathe

Kansas

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

18843

Captain / Total hours on type:

800.00

Circumstances:

The approach to Olathe-Johnson County Airport was completed in poor weather conditions due to fog and low clouds. When the pilot passed below the clouds, the airplane was at an altitude of 400 feet just over the runway end. control was lost and the airplane crashed by the runway and was destroyed. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

The pilot failed to maintain flying speed on final approach. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper IFR operation,
- Failed to initiate a go-around,
- Low ceiling,
- Icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain,
- Fog,
- Moderate airframe icing in area,
- Aircraft observed to break out of overcast about 400 feet over end of runway.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402B in Dodge City

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 402

Operator:

Registration:

N1415G

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Wichita - Garden City - Dodge City - Denver

Location:

Dodge City

Kansas

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2600

Captain / Total hours on type:

320.00

Circumstances:

On approach to Dodge City Airport in marginal weather conditions, the the crew decided to initiate a go-around when the airplane struck power cables, stalled and crashed in an open field. All three occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

The crew failed to follow the approved procedures while on an IFR approach. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Ice on windshield,
- Airframe ice,
- Icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain,
- Disregard of good operating practice,
- Fog,
- Visibility reference established windshield deicer turned off,
- Windshield iced over,
- Unable to continue the flight due to ice accumulation.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft A90 King Air in Washington DC: 5 killed

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft 90 King Air

Operator:

Registration:

N57V

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

City

Schedule:

Columbus - Washington DC

MSN:

LJ-268

YOM:

1967

Location:

Washington DC

District of Columbia

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

9745

Captain / Total hours on type:

50.00

Circumstances:

On a VOR/DME approach to Washington-National Airport, the crew encountered low clouds and failed to realize his altitude was insufficient. On final, the twin engine airplane struck a radio antenna. Upon impact, the left wing was torn off and the aircraft crashed in flames in the garden of the American University campus. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all five occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

The exact cause of the accident could not be determined. The following findings were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- High obstructions,
- Separation of the left wing in flight,
- Descended below minimum approach segment altitude during VOR/DME approach,
- Hit radio tower, causing the left wing to separate.

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo off Fairhope: 2 killed

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Piper PA-31-310 Navajo

Operator:

Registration:

N1FP

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Fairhope-H. L. Sonny Callahan

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Hattiesburg - Fairhope

MSN:

31-768

YOM:

1971

Location:

Alabama

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

6800

Captain / Total hours on type:

1000.00

Circumstances:

On final approach to Fairhope-H. L. Sonny Callahan Airport, the twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed into the Mobile Bay about four miles short of runway 01 threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled descent on approach due to inadequate maintenance and inspection. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Aileron tab control system jammed,
- Foreign material affecting normal operations,
- A screwdriver was inserted in control chain between pins 13 & 14,
- Full right travel could and did lock aileron control.

Final Report:

Crash of a Carstedt CJ600F Jetliner in Addison

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Carstedt Jet Liner 600

Operator:

Registration:

N1200H

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Memphis - Addison

MSN:

04448

YOM:

1955

Location:

Addison

Texas

Country:

Region:

De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3800

Captain / Total hours on type:

200.00

Circumstances:

During a night approach to Addison Airport, the twin engine airplane descended below the minimum descent altitude when it struck power cables at 36 feet agl then crashed 1,5 mile short of runway threshold. Both pilots were slightly injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Improper IFR operation on part of the crew. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Instruments misread or failed to read,
- Weather below minimums.

Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in Alaska: 5 killed

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Channel Flying Services

Registration:

N1944

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Tenakee - Juneau

MSN:

1692

YOM:

1969

Location:

Alaska

Country:

Region: