United States of America

Executive/Corporate/Business

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

City

Schedule:

Tampa - Coral Creek

MSN:

31P-44

YOM:

1971

Location:

Tampa-Intl

Florida

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4620

Captain / Total hours on type:

790.00

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Tampa Airport, while climbing, the pilot informed ATC about the failure of the left engine and elected to return. The pilot attempted an emergency landing when the airplane slid on the ground and crashed into a building located near the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.

Probable cause:

Failure of the left engine during initial climb for undetermined reason. The following factors were reported:
- Ignition system: spark plug,
- Carbon deposit,
- Improper clearance, tolerance,
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection,
- Pilot declared emergency, crash landed and slid into building,
- Propeller feathered,
- Plugs fouled.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Feeding Hills: 2 killed

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft D18

Operator:

Edwin L. Cook

Registration:

N8615A

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

A-522

YOM:

1950

Location:

Feeding Hills

Massachusetts

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:

850

Circumstances:

While cruising at low altitude while on a local flight, both engines stopped simultaneously. The pilot made a sharp turn to avoid a collision with a house when the airplane stalled and crashed. Both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Double engine failure in flight caused by a fuel starvation and mismanagement of fuel.

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-61 Aerostar in Hamburg: 2 killed

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N711ED

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Buffalo - Pittsburgh

MSN:

61-0009

YOM:

1968

Location:

Hamburg

New York

Country:

Region:

Landing (descent or approach)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1195

Captain / Total hours on type:

217.00

Circumstances:

The crew departed Buffalo Airport on a cargo flight to Pittsburgh. Few minutes after takeoff, the right engine caught fire and the crew declared an emergency. The fire spread to the engine nacelle and the right wing that detached. Out of control, the airplane dove into the ground and crashed in flames in an open field located in Hamburg, about 15,5 miles south of Buffalo Airport. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Fire of undetermined source in the right engine resulted in an in-flight separation of the right wing.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Longview: 1 killed

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft E18

Operator:

Registration:

N73JB

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Dallas - Longview

MSN:

BA-218

YOM:

1956

Location:

Longview

Texas

Country:

Region:

Rockwell Aero Commander 560

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5600

Captain / Total hours on type:

2600.00

Circumstances:

On final approach to Longview Airport by night, the pilot encountered marginal weather conditions with limited visibility. On final, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed in flames 1,75 mile short of runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.

Probable cause:

Collision with trees on final approach after the pilot misjudged distance and altitude. The following factors were reported:
- High obstructions,
- Pilot fatigue,
- Hit trees 32 feet agl 1,75 mile from airport,
- Pilot had landing lights on and gear down.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560A in Belton

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N2269B

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Killeen - Killeen

MSN:

560A-263

YOM:

1955

Location:

Belton

Texas

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

440

Captain / Total hours on type:

30.00

Circumstances:

The crew was completing a local training flight out from Killeen Airport. While cruising at a relative low altitude, the right engine failed. The pilot-in-command elected to make an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed in an open field located in Belton. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and all three occupants escaped uninjured.

Probable cause:

Failure of the right engine in flight for undetermined reason. The following factors were reported:
- Improper operation of powerplant,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Intentional wheels-up landing,
- Rough terrain,
- The pilot did not apply adequate power to left engine after failure of the right engine.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 411 in Minneapolis: 5 killed

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 411

Operator:

Registration:

N4932T

Flight Phase:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Minneapolis - Gwinner

MSN:

411-0132

YOM:

1965

Location:

Minneapolis-Saint Paul

Minnesota

Country:

Region:

Rockwell Aero Commander 560

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3450

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Minneapolis-Saint Paul Airport, while in initial climb, the left engine lost power. The pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed in flames near the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Engine malfunction during initial climb caused by an improper adjustment of the fuel injection system. The following factors were reported:
- Improper maintenance,
- The pilot failed to follow approved procedures,
- The pilot failed to maintain flying speed,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- The pilot failed to use all available runway,
- Partial loss of power on left engine because fuel mixt too rich,
- The pilot failed to feather the left propeller,
- Got below VMC,
- Near gross weight and aft CofG,
- The pilot took off from the intersection.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560F in Granada Hills: 1 killed

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

David M. Hume

Registration:

N6191X

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Van Nuys - El Paso

MSN:

560-1053-20

YOM:

1961

Location:

Granada Hills

California

Country:

Region:

Swearingen SA26T Merlin II

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

570

Captain / Total hours on type:

180.00

Circumstances:

Four minutes after takeoff from Van Nuys Airport, while climbing in marginal weather conditions, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed in Granada Hills, north of Van Nuys. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled descent after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions and suffered a spatial disorientation. The following factors were reported:
- Low ceiling, fog and obstruction to vision,
- Visibility limited to half a mile or less,
- IP told the pilot not to fly VFR by night,
- The pilot departed with a special VFR clearance,
- Control lost 4 minutes after takeoff.

Final Report:

Crash of a Swearingen SA26T Merlin IIA near Deadhorse: 2 killed

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Winship Air Services

Registration:

N1214S

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Fairbanks - Deadhorse - Prudhoe Bay

MSN:

T26-31

YOM:

1968

Location:

Deadhorse

Alaska

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

8216

Captain / Total hours on type:

1134.00

Circumstances:

While descending in marginal weather conditions, the pilot lost his orientation and descended too low without any ground reference when the airplane struck the ground and crashed 28 NM south of the airport. Two passengers were killed while three other occupants were injured.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain during initial approach following improper IFR operation on part of the pilot. The following factors were reported:
- Became lost/disoriented,
- Low ceiling,
- Began approach before Sta passage,
- Descent below clearance limit,
- Exceeded 10 NM arc outbound,
- Impacted terrain 28 NM south of airport.

Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Dove in Moses Lake

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.104 Dove

Operator:

Jimmy T. Thompson

Registration:

N4041B

Flight Phase:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Flight Type:

Ferry

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Moses Lake - Twin Falls

MSN:

04385

YOM:

1953

Location:

Moses Lake

Washington

Country:

Region: