United States of America

Region:

Armstrong Whitworth AW.650 Argosy

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

15553

Captain / Total hours on type:

2424.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

4222

Copilot / Total hours on type:

1060

Aircraft flight hours:

18837

Circumstances:

In the morning, the four engine airplane departed Alameda NAS, California, for Wilmington, with an intermediate stop in Indianapolis, carrying cargo on behalf of the US Air Force. While cruising over Colorado, the crew modified his route to avoid a thunderstorm area. Few minutes later, while cruising in better weather conditions, the left wing detached by section 162. The aircraft rolled and yawed sharply and after the left wing completely failed, the right wing failed outboard of the n°4 engine. Out of control, the airplane entered a dive and crashed in an open field. All four crew members were killed.

Probable cause:

The undiscovered, preexisting fatigue cracks, which reduced the strength of the left wing to the degree that it failed as a result of positive aerodynamic loads created by moderate turbulence.

Final Report:

Crash of an Armstrong Whitworth AW.650 Argosy 101 in Anchorage

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N891U

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Fire fighting

Survivors:

Site:

Anchorage-Ted Stevens Intl

Schedule:

Anchorage - Aniak

MSN:

6655

YOM:

1959

Location:

Alaska

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

9703

Captain / Total hours on type:

2039.00

Circumstances:

During the takeoff roll on runway 20 at Anchorage-Intl Airport, the pilot-in-command realized the takeoff was not possible so he decided to abort. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran, rolled for 689 yards then collided with trees and came to rest. All six occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Aborted takeoff and overran following poor flight preparation on part of the flying crew. The following factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation and/or planning,
- Gust locks engaged,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Elevator gust lock not removed.

Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland CSR-123 Otter near Baudette

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DHC-3 Otter

Operator:

Registration:

9411

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

384

YOM:

1960

Location:

Baudette

Minnesota

Country:

Region:

Cessna 207 Skywagon/Stationair

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances southeast of Baudette. Occupant's fate unknown.

Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon in Miami

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Lease Adventure

Registration:

N1504U

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Miami - Freeport

MSN:

207-0104

YOM:

1969

Location:

Miami-Opa Locka

Florida

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

217

Captain / Total hours on type:

1.00

Circumstances:

Just after liftoff from Opa Locka Airport, while in initial climb, the engine lost power. The pilot elected to make an emergency landing but failed to recover from bounced landing. The airplane crashed and came to rest in flames. All seven occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Engine problems after takeoff following hydraulic pitch control mechanism. The following factors were reported:
- Attempted operations with known deficiencies in equipment,
- RPM uncontrollable overspeed,
- Improper level off,
- Improper recovery from bounced landing,
- Overload failure,
- Suspected mechanical discrepancy,
- Prop would not respond to control,
- The pilot was aware of problem before takeoff,
- Fire started in the right brake.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 99 Airlines in Galveston: 6 killed

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft 99 Airliner

Operator:

Registration:

N853SA

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Galveston - Houston

MSN:

U-41

YOM:

1968

Location:

Galveston

Texas

Country:

Region:

Landing (descent or approach)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

6346

Captain / Total hours on type:

129.00

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Galveston-Scholes Field Airport, while in initial climb at an altitude of 400 feet, the airplane became unstable, lost height then crashed in a field past the south runway end. A pilot and five passengers were killed while six other occupants were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled descent after takeoff following an inadequate preflight preparation on part of the crew. The following factors were reported:
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Misused or failed to use flaps,
- Gust locks engaged,
- 10 minutes behind schedule,
- Passengers not briefed concerning emergency evacuation procedures,
- Trim stab on standby position,
- No foam available from the fire truck,
- The captain had only three hours flight during last 90 days.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Cheyenne

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft E18

Operator:

Great Western Airlines

Registration:

N40K

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Riverton - Cheyenne - Denver

MSN:

BA-160

YOM:

1956

Location:

Cheyenne

Wyoming

Country:

Region:

Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3300

Captain / Total hours on type:

900.00

Circumstances:

The pilot, sole on board, was completing a cargo flight from Riverton to Denver with an intermediate stop in Cheyenne. After touchdown on a wet/slushy runway, the pilot realized it was difficult to decelerate properly and decided to make a go-around. This decision was taken too late so the airplane departed far down the runway. After liftoff, the twin engine airplane struck an electric pole and several trees before crashing in a small lake. The pilot was injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Ice/slush on runway and hydroplaning on wet runway. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Delayed in initiating go-around,
- Unfavorable wind conditions,
- Selected wrong runway relative to existing wind,
- High obstructions,
- No effective braking on roll out,
- Hit poles and trees on go-around,
- Aircraft man-no crosswind limits chart.

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601) in La Grande: 3 killed

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N7474S

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Hailey - La Grande - Walla Walla

MSN:

61-0045-86

YOM:

1970

Location:

La Grande

Oregon

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

8884

Captain / Total hours on type:

244.00

Circumstances:

While descending to La Grande Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions. Flying at low altitude above mountainous terrain, the twin engine airplane struck power cables and crashed in flames on a mountain. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

The crew continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions and failed to see and avoid power cables. The following factors were reported:
- Low ceiling and rain,
- High obstructions,
- Flying at low level below clouds in mountainous terrain.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft H18 near Hilo: 11 killed

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft H18

Operator:

Island Air USA

Registration:

N28358

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Kailua-Kona – Kahului

MSN:

BA-755

YOM:

1969

Location:

Hilo

Hawaii

Country:

Region:

Dornier DO.28D Skyservant

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4490

Captain / Total hours on type:

522.00

Circumstances:

While flying in poor weather conditions, the twin engine airplane struck the slope of a mountain located northwest of Hilo. The wreckage was found a day later and all 11 occupants have been killed.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the pilot was flying under VFR mode in adverse weather conditions. High obstructions and low ceiling were considered as contributing factors.

Final Report:

Crash of a Dornier DO.28D-1 Skyservant in Elim

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N3799

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Nome - Elim

MSN:

4005

YOM:

1968

Location:

Elim

Alaska

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4745

Captain / Total hours on type:

53.00

Circumstances:

After touchdown at Elim Airstrip, the twin engine airplane was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran and collided with a snow bank and a snow removal machine. Both occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Overrun and collision with snowbank after the pilot selected an unsuitable terrain and failed to initiate a go-around. The following factors was reported:
- Ice/slush on runway.

Final Report:

Ground fire of a Beechcraft 99 in Brunswick

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft 99 Airliner

Operator:

Registration:

N848NS

Flight Phase:

Taxiing

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Brunswick-Malcolm McKinnon

Schedule:

Brunswick - Atlanta

MSN:

U-077

YOM:

1969

Location:

Georgia

Country:

Region: