United States of America

Schedule:

Lincoln - Omaha

MSN:

25-009

YOM:

1968

Location:

Lincoln

Nebraska

Country:

Region:

Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2690

Circumstances:

The takeoff from Lincoln Airport was initiated in low ceiling and fog. Just after liftoff, the twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Loss of control in initial climb following an inadequate preflight preparation on part of the crew. The following factors were reported:
- Low ceiling and fog,
- Poor crew coordination,
- The pilot-in-command was rated in this model the previous day.

Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed L-1049H Super Constellation in Gary

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

The Holy Nation of Islam

Registration:

N566E

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Los Angeles – Kansas City – Gary

MSN:

4838

YOM:

1958

Location:

Gary

Indiana

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

16774

Circumstances:

Upon touchdown, the left main gear collapsed. The aircraft slid on the runway for few dozen yards before coming to rest in flames. All five crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was destroyed. The fire was quickly extinguished.

Probable cause:

Improper level off/touchdown on part of the copilot who was PIC at the time of the accident. Inadequate supervision of flight on part of the captain.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 411 in Delavan: 4 killed

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 411

Operator:

Gary R. Smith

Registration:

N3243R

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

411-0243

YOM:

1967

Location:

Delavan

Wisconsin

Country:

Region:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

231

Captain / Total hours on type:

38.00

Circumstances:

En route from East Saint Louis, the twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed in an open field. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all four occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled descent after the pilot suffered a heart attack in flight.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Natchitoches: 6 killed

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft E18

Operator:

Robert Airways

Registration:

N50JR

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Natchitoches - Dallas

MSN:

BA-176

YOM:

1956

Location:

Natchitoches

Louisiana

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

14290

Captain / Total hours on type:

2190.00

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Natchitoches Airport by night and in foggy conditions, the airplane failed to gain sufficient height when it struck a tree located 590 feet past the runway end and crashed. The aircraft was destroyed and all six occupants were killed.
Crew:
Robert N. Elliott, pilot.
Passengers:
Jim Croce, singer,
Maury Muehleisen, musician,
George Stevens, comedian,
Kenneth D. Cortese, manager,
Dennis Rast, manager.

Probable cause:

The pilot failed to see and avoid objects or obstructions (trees) after a night takeoff. The following factors were reported:
- Physical impairment,
- Fog, haze,
- Obstructions to vision,
- High obstructions,
- The pilot had severe coronary artery disease and ran from motel to near airport, about three miles.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-8-63CF on Mt Dutton: 6 killed

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-8

Operator:

Registration:

N802WA

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Travis - Cold Bay - Yokota - Clark

MSN:

46146/536

YOM:

1970

Flight number:

WO802

Location:

Mt Dutton

Alaska

Country:

Region:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

22913

Captain / Total hours on type:

1969.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

4984

Copilot / Total hours on type:

457

Aircraft flight hours:

10077

Circumstances:

On behalf of the USAF, the four engine airplane departed Travis AFB on a cargo flight to Clark AFB, Philippines, with intermediate stops in Cold Bay and Yokota AFB. While approaching Cold Bay by night at an altitude of 3,500 feet, the crew encountered marginal weather conditions when the airplane struck the slope of Mt Dutton (4,941 feet high) located 18 miles east of Cold Bay Airport. At impact, the aircraft's speed was 185 knots and it was heading 275°. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all six occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, the airplane was off course by 12°.

Probable cause:

The captain's deviation from approved instrument approach procedures. As a result of the deviation the flight descended into an area of unreliable navigation signals and obstructing terrain.

Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed 18-56LodeStar in Pecos: 3 killed

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed 18 LodeStar

Operator:

Oliver B. Cannon & Sons

Registration:

N669M

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

2591

YOM:

1943

Location:

Pecos

Texas

Country:

Region:

Rockwell Aero Commander 520

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3290

Captain / Total hours on type:

13.00

Circumstances:

During the takeoff roll at Pecos Airport, the pilot lost control of the airplane swerved and eventually crashed. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and all three occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

The pilot failed to maintain directional control during takeoff. The following factors were reported:
- Attempted operation beyond experience and ability level,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Exceeded design stress limits of aircraft,
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Exercised poor judgment.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 520 in Michigan City

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

FTI Aviation

Registration:

N2634B

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Traverse City - Michigan City

MSN:

520-146

YOM:

1954

Location:

Michigan City

Indiana

Country:

Region:

Rockwell Grand Commander 690

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2576

Captain / Total hours on type:

23.00

Circumstances:

On approach to Michigan City on a cargo flight from Traverse City, both engines stopped almost simultaneously. The airplane lost height, struck tree tops and crashed few dozen yards short of runway. The pilot, sole on board, was seriously injured and the airplane was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Both engines failed on final due to mismanagement of fuel. The following factors were reported:
- Inattentive to fuel supply,
- Fuel exhaustion,
- High obstructions,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Pilot misunderstood fuel gauge placard.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 690A in Alex: 2 killed

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N333CA

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Test

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Oklahoma City - Oklahoma City

MSN:

690-11117

YOM:

1973

Location:

Alex

Oklahoma

Country:

Region:

Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

8950

Captain / Total hours on type:

1944.00

Circumstances:

The crew left Oklahoma City-Wiley Post Airport on a local test flight. While in cruising altitude, the airplane disappeared from radar screens, dove into the ground and crashed in an open field. Debris scattered on a wide area and both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the aircraft suffered an explosive decompression in flight following an incorrect use of equipment on part of the crew. The following factors were reported:
- Electrical systems: switches,
- Pressurization control and indicating system,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Failed to use or incorrectly used miscellaneous equipment,
- Inadequate supervision of flight,
- Explosive decompression,
- The copilot selected uncovered pressurization dump switch,
- Different panel position on 690 model.

Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation in Tamarac

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Happy Hours Air Travel Club

Registration:

N6202C

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Freeport - Saint Petersburg

MSN:

4002

YOM:

1952

Location:

Tamarac

Florida

Country:

Region: