Crash of a Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I in Bunker: 5 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N3139K
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Hagerstown - Pueblo - Las Vegas
MSN:
421A-0116
YOM:
1968
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
2000
Captain / Total hours on type:
100.00
Circumstances:
On the leg from Hagerstown to Pueblo, the crew encountered very bad weather conditions with thunderstorm activity, turbulences and icing. Control was lost and the airplane entered a dive during which elevators and stabilizers detached. The airplane then crashed in the Clark National Forest and was destroyed on impact. All five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent following improper in-flight decisions or planning. The following factors were reported:
- Improper operation of anti-icing/deicing equipment,
- Airframe ice,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Exceeded designed stress limits of aircraft,
- Separation of flight control surfaces such as horizontal stabilizers,
- Icing conditions,
- Thunderstorm activity and turbulences,
- No weather update at Saint Louis,
- Line of thunderstorms west,
- Heavy icing conditions,
- Horizontal stabilizers and elevators separated.
Final Report:

Crash of a Convair CV-440 Metropolitan in Bishop: 36 killed

Date & Time:
Operator:
Registration:
N4819C
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Bishop - Burbank
MSN:
138
YOM:
1953
Flight number:
SZ802
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
32
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
36
Captain / Total flying hours:
9902
Captain / Total hours on type:
1742.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
2845
Copilot / Total hours on type:
2500
Aircraft flight hours:
41112
Circumstances:
The aircraft was chartered by Wolper Productions Inc. to fly a movie production crew from Bishop (BIH) to Burbank (BUR). The cast and crew of the television series 'Primal Man' was returning from shooting a prehistoric hunting sequence in the snow-covered Sierra. Amongst the crew were director-writer Dennis Azzarella and actor Janos Prohaska. Flight 802 departed Hollywood-Burbank Airport at 18:14 to pick up the passengers at Bishop. The flight from Burbank to Bishop was conducted under VFR conditions and at 19:10 the crew contacted the Tonopah Flight Service Station (FSS) and cancelled their VFR flight plan. The crew then "air filed" an IFR flight plan for the return trip from Bishop to Burbank. The aircraft landed at Bishop at 19:20. Baggage and equipment were loaded and 32 passengers boarded the flight. The Convair CV-440 departed the gate at about 20:20. The crew then contacted the Tonopah FSS and advised that they were taxiing for departure and requested that their IFR clearance be activated. After takeoff from runway 12 the flight made a climbing right turn, circled back over, or near, the BIH VOR and then proceeded outbound in an east-southeasterly direction. At 20:24 Flight 802 again contacted the Tonopah FSS and reported that they were off Bishop at 20:20 and were, "climbing VFR over Bishop, awaiting clearance." About four minutes later the aircraft struck a foothill in the White Mountain range at an elevation of 6,100 feet. The aircraft was on a heading of about 175° magnetic and in an approximate 25° bank to the right at impact. All 36 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was not possible to determine the probable cause of this accident. The reason why the flight crew did not maintain a safe distance from hazardous terrain during night visual flight conditions could not be established.
Final Report:

Crash of a NAMC YS-11A-202 near Borrego Springs

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N208PA
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
San Diego - San Diego
MSN:
2082
YOM:
1968
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5673
Captain / Total hours on type:
797.00
Circumstances:
The crew (four pilots) departed San Diego Airport on a training mission. En route, the crew simulated stall conditions when both engines failed to respond. Shortly later, both engines caught fire and the crew decided to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft belly landed about 8,8 miles east of Borrego Springs and came to rest in flames in a desert area. While all four crew members escaped uninjured, the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure in flight due to inadequate maintenance and inspection and failure of the propeller system. The following factors were reported:
- Improper operation of powerplant,
- Inadequate supervision of flight,
- Excessive temperature,
- Failure of both engines,
- Fire on both engines,
- Hi stop hub connecting switch inoperative.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanker at McConnell AFB: 2 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
57-1500
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
17571
YOM:
1958
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Aircraft flight hours:
7434
Circumstances:
Just after liftoff, while in initial climb, the four engine airplane lost height and crashed in flames about 0.4 miles past the runway end. Five crew members were seriously injured while two others were killed. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control following an engine failure.

Crash of a Lockheed 18-56 LodeStar in Lake Placid: 1 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N32L
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
2323
YOM:
1943
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
17800
Circumstances:
While flying at low height, the pilot made an evasive maneuver to avoid power cable when control was lost. The airplane crashed in a prairie located near Lake Placid. While the passenger was seriously injured, the pilot was killed. The flight was illegal as 3,244 pounds of marijuana was found on board.
Probable cause:
Improper operation of flight controls on part of the pilot who failed to maintain flying speed. The following factors were reported:
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Unwarranted low flying,
- Evasive maneuver to avoid collision,
- Low level flight,
- Illegal flight.
Final Report:

Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2B-30 Marquise near Glenwood Springs: 5 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N711AH
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Houston - Aspen
MSN:
523
YOM:
1970
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
10000
Captain / Total hours on type:
165.00
Circumstances:
While descending to Aspen Airport, the pilot encountered marginal weather conditions. Passing below the clouds, he became lost. While completing a last turn to the left, the airplane struck trees and crashed on a snow covered mountain located near Glenwood Springs, northwest of Aspen. The wreckage was found two days later in an isolated area. Two passengers were seriously injured while five other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees and terrain after the pilot became lost/disoriented. The following factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions or planning,
- Misjudged speed and clearance,
- Low ceiling,
- Downdrafts, updrafts,
- High obstructions,
- Snow covered terrain.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft G18S in Fort Scott

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N123A
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tulsa - Kansas City
MSN:
BA-465
YOM:
1959
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1748
Captain / Total hours on type:
1037.00
Circumstances:
En route on a night cargo flight from Tulsa to Kansas City, the pilot contacted ATC and declared an emergency after the right engine failed in flight. He reduced his altitude in an attempt to make an emergency landing when the left engine lost power. The aircraft eventually hit trees and crashed in flames in a prairie. The pilot was seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure in normal cruise for undetermined reasons. The following factors were reported:
- High obstructions (trees),
- Complete engine failure one engine,
- Partial loss of power one engine,
- Dark night,
- Pilot reported low fuel.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65 Queen Air in Williamstown: 4 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N9535Q
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Venice – Columbia – Wheeling
MSN:
LC-226
YOM:
1966
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
2300
Captain / Total hours on type:
17.00
Circumstances:
While descending to Williamstown, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with low ceiling, snow falls and icing conditions. At an altitude of 8,000 feet, the left engine failed and the pilot continued the approach on one engine until he was forced to initiate a go-around manoeuvre. While in traffic pattern-circling, the airplane went out of control, stalled and crashed few miles from the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and all four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure on approach. The following factors were reported:
- Improper operation of powerplant,
- Improper operation or failed to use anti-icing/deicing equipment,
- Ice carburetor,
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Conditions conducive to carburetor/induction system icing,
- Low ceiling and snow,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Reported ram ice at 8,000 feet.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 414 Chancellor in Lebanon: 1 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N1628T
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Mexico - Lebanon
MSN:
414-0408
YOM:
1973
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
6380
Captain / Total hours on type:
3200.00
Circumstances:
After passengers deplaned at Mexico Airport, Missouri, the pilot was returning to his base at Lebanon-Floyd W. Jones Airport. On approach, the pilot initiated acrobatics maneuvers when he lost control of the airplane that crashed in a field. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control after the pilot exercised poor judgment. The following factors were reported:
- Improper operation of flight controls,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Unwarranted low flying,
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Low level acrobatics over airport,
- Stall following recovery from roll.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Tullahoma

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N313A
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Nashville - Chattanooga
MSN:
A-257
YOM:
1946
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1244
Captain / Total hours on type:
385.00
Circumstances:
While on a night approach to Tullahoma Airport, the left engine caught fire. The crew was able to extinguish the fire and the propeller was feathered. Unfortunately, the pilot missed the runway and the captain decided to initiate a go-around manoeuvre when the airplane stalled and crashed. Both occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Fire on left engine after a fuel line failed on approach. The following factors were reported:
- Loose parts,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Fire in engine,
- Low ceiling,
- Obstructions to vision,
- Suspected or known aircraft damage,
- Loose fuel line.
Final Report: