Crash of a Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I in Tulsa

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N4005L
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tulsa - San Antonio
MSN:
421A-0005
YOM:
1967
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2305
Captain / Total hours on type:
121.00
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Tulsa Airport on an runway covered by slush, the pilot started the rotation prematurely. The airplane climbed a few feet then stalled and crashed back onto the runway. Out of control, it veered off runway and came to rest. Both occupants were slightly injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine malfunction during takeoff run and initial climb. The following factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Premature liftoff,
- Failed to obtain flying speed,
- Disregard of good operating practice,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Ice/slush on runway,
- Partial loss of power on one engine,
- Engines check ok prior to takeoff,
- No full power runup due to ice on runway,
- Rotated below VNC,
- Observers heard engine backfire.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Novato: 2 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N6565L
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
San Francisco - Novato
MSN:
31-487
YOM:
1969
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
5500
Captain / Total hours on type:
500.00
Circumstances:
After a special VFR flight plan was cancelled out of Hamilton AFB control zone, the crew started the descent to Novato-Gnoss Field under VFR mode in adverse weather conditions. On approach, the twin engine airplane struck the slope of a mountain and was destroyed. The wreckage was found two days later and both pilots were killed. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were poor with low ceiling, rain falls and fog.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain after the crew failed to follow the approved procedures for an approach to Novato-Gnoss Field Airport. The following factors were reported:
- Continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions,
- Misjudged altitude,
- Low ceiling, rain and fog,
- High obstructions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed 18 LodeStar in Placida

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N711FN
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
2583
YOM:
1943
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was completing an illegal flight and the aircraft was carrying a load of one ton of marijuana. While trying to land by night in Placida, the airplane struck power cables and crashed in an open field. The pilot disappeared and was not found. The aircraft was destroyed and the marijuana was found on board.
Probable cause:
Improper in-flight decisions and/or planning on part of the pilot. The following factors were reported:
- Misjudged distance and altitude,
- Failed to see and avoid objects or obstructions,
- Fog,
- High obstructions,
- Aircraft stolen,
- Carrying contraband cargo,
- Pilot unknown,
- Hit powerline pole during a visual approach by night and fog.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65 Queen Air in Jacksonville: 5 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N671T
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Jacksonville – Freeport
MSN:
LC-1
YOM:
1960
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
877
Captain / Total hours on type:
30.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Jacksonville-Intl Airport, while in initial climb, the right engine failed. The crew failed to feather the propeller and the airplane went out of control and crashed. A passenger was seriously injured while all five other occupants were killed. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent during initial climb following an engine failure. The following factors were reported:
- Inadequate inspection of aircraft,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Failed to follow the approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Failure of the ignition system: spark plugs,
- Carbon deposit,
- Engine structure: blower and impeller assembly,
- Material failure,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Improperly loaded aircraft and CofG,
- Complete failure of the right engine,
- Poor general maintenance,
- Plugs fouled,
- Propeller not feathered,
- Right engine incapable full power,
- Aircraft 798 lbs over gross weight,
- CofG 2.9 inches after rear limit.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 99A Airliner in Johnstown: 12 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N125AE
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Pittsburgh - Johnstown
MSN:
U-125
YOM:
1969
Flight number:
AE317
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
15
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Captain / Total flying hours:
6331
Captain / Total hours on type:
383.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1790
Copilot / Total hours on type:
380
Aircraft flight hours:
7503
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Pittsburgh-International Airport, the crew deliberately started the descent prematurely, causing the aircraft to approach below the minimum published altitude. While descending in marginal weather conditions, the twin engine airplane struck an ILS antenna and crashed few dozen yards short of runway 33 threshold. A pilot and four passengers were seriously injured while 12 other occupants were killed. The aircraft was destroyed. By reason of numerous violations, unsafe practices, policies, and coercing tactics, Air East has demonstrated that it does not possess the judgement, responsibility or compliance disposition required of a holder of an air taxi commercial operators certificate. Thus, the operator's AOC was revoked on March 7, 1974.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the accident was caused by a premature descent below a safe approach slope followed by a stall and loss of aircraft control. The reason for the premature descent could not be determined, but it was probably the result of the combination of the following factors:
- A deliberate descent below the published minimum descent altitude to establish reference with the approach lights and make the landing,
- A visual impairment or an optical illusion created by the runway/approach lighting systems,
- Downdrafts near the approach end of the runway.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Sabreliner 40 in Midland: 2 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N34W
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Midland - Denver
MSN:
282-47
YOM:
1965
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
15367
Captain / Total hours on type:
2770.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Midland Airport, while in initial climb by night, the airplane entered a nose-down attitude then crashed in a huge explosion few miles from the airfield. The airplane disintegrated on impact and both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent during initial climb for undetermined reason. Entered a high speed dive and crashed. Near total destruction limited the scope and decisiveness of investigations.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560E near Kerrville: 2 killed

Date & Time:
Operator:
Registration:
N701W
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Kerrville - Midland
MSN:
560-562
YOM:
1957
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
750
Captain / Total hours on type:
20.00
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Kerrville Airport, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with low ceiling, rain falls and fog. While cruising in clouds, the pilot suffered a spatial disorientation and lost control of the airplane that entered a dive. During the descent, the left wing detached and the airplane crashed in an open field. The airplane was destroyed upon impact and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control after the pilot suffered a spatial disorientation in flight. The following factors were reported:
- Exceeded designed stress limits of aircraft,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Overload failure,
- Low ceiling, rain and fog.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft G18S in Ann Arbor

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N118W
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Ann Arbor - Allentown
MSN:
BA-470
YOM:
1959
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2700
Captain / Total hours on type:
700.00
Circumstances:
While taking off from Ann Arbor in poor weather conditions with snow falls and low ceiling, the pilot lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed in a field. All five occupants were evacuated and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The aircraft was not deiced prior to departure.
Probable cause:
Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot who failed to maintain flying speed after takeoff. The following factors were reported:
- Airframe ice,
- Low ceiling and snow,
- Encrusted snow approximately 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick on top of wing and tail surfaces.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon off Lihue

Date & Time:
Registration:
N91017
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Lihue - Honolulu
MSN:
207-0012
YOM:
1969
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2150
Captain / Total hours on type:
1795.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Lihue Airport, while climbing, the engine failed. The pilot declared an emergency and was cleared to return when the airplane stalled and crashed into the sea few hundred yards off shore. The pilot was rescued while the aircraft sank and was not recovered.
Probable cause:
Engine malfunction for undetermined reason. The aircraft was not recovered from ocean.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31P Pressurized Navajo in Walla Walla: 1 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N66798
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Spokane - Walla Walla
MSN:
31-7300158
YOM:
1973
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
25000
Captain / Total hours on type:
529.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Walla Walla Airport by night, the pilot encountered limited visibility due to fog. He descended below the MDA when the twin engine airplane struck the ground and crashed short of runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Poor judgment and improper IFR operation caused the airplane to crash on final approach. The following factors were reported:
- Low ceiling, fog and snow,
- Limited visibility,
- Descent below MDA,
- Night VFR approach,
- Single piloted aircraft.
Final Report: