United States of America

Schedule:

Kingston - Tampa

MSN:

AF-404

YOM:

1953

Location:

Sarasota-Bradenton

Florida

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

7226

Captain / Total hours on type:

100.00

Circumstances:

While cruising along the west coast of Florida on a cargo flight from Kingston to Tampa, the pilot informed ATC about an engine fire and elected to divert to Sarasota-Bradenton Airport for an emergency landing. On approach, the pilot realized he could not make it so he landed the airplane in a prairie. The aircraft rolled for few dozen yards before coming to rest in flames. While the pilot escaped uninjured, the aircraft was destroyed by fire.

Probable cause:

Engine fire in flight and precautionary landing off airport. Fire after impact. The pilot executed a wheels down landing. The cause of fire described as whitish in colour could not be determined.

Final Report:

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-55-CK Commando at Ellington AFB

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Operator:

Joel Guinn

Registration:

N446M

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Ellington - Miami

MSN:

133

YOM:

1944

Location:

Ellington AFB (Houston)

Texas

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Ellington AFB, while climbing, the crew informed ATC about technical problems with the right engine and elected to return for an emergency landing. The captain realized this was not possible and attempted an emergency landing along the I-45 highway. The airplane belly landed and slid for several yards before coming to rest. While both pilots escaped uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

The right propeller oversped, forcing the crew to attempt an emergency landing. The following factors were reported:
- Powerplant propeller and accessories,
- Foreign materials affecting normal operations,
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection,
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Improperly loaded aircraft,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Intentional wheels-up landing,
- Suspected or known aircraft damage,
- Right propeller oversped, metal chips, feathered,
- Overweight by 1,129 pounds,
- Unlower gear normal system,
- Hit wires.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E90 King Air in Pratt: 4 killed

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft 90 King Air

Operator:

Registration:

YV-T-ADJ

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Wichita - Wichita

MSN:

LW-53

YOM:

1973

Location:

Pratt

Kansas

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3305

Captain / Total hours on type:

93.00

Circumstances:

The crew was completing a local training flight out from Wichita prior to deliver the aircraft in Venezuela. While cruising at low height, the pilot-in-command lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed in an open field located near Pratt. The airplane was destroyed and all four occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Loss of control after the pilot-in-command failed to maintain flying speed. The following factors were reported:
- Customer pilot training flight,
- Pilot-in-command non instrument rated,
- Gear down, flaps in approach position,
- Pilot-in-command in right seat.

Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed PV-1 Ventura near Union Springs: 2 killed

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed PV-1 Ventura

Operator:

Clark Aerial Service

Registration:

N45CK

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Spraying (Agricultural)

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Montgomery - Montgomery

MSN:

5333

YOM:

1943

Location:

Union Springs

Alabama

Country:

Region:

Landing (descent or approach)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5100

Captain / Total hours on type:

67.00

Circumstances:

The crew was engaged in a crop spraying mission in the region of Union Springs and departed Montgomery-Franklin Airport in the early morning. While flying at low height above a wooded area, the airplane struck tree tops and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and both crew members were killed.

Probable cause:

Collision with trees after the pilot-in-command misjudged speed and altitude. The following factors were reported:
- Diverted attention from operation of aircraft,
- Jettisoned load,
- Aircraft descended and hit ground in near level flight attitude.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C18S in Cleveland

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft C18S

Operator:

Gary D. Lewis

Registration:

N6417C

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Skydiving / Paratroopers

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Cleveland - Cleveland

MSN:

5549

YOM:

1943

Location:

Cleveland

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:

1676

Captain / Total hours on type:

103.00

Circumstances:

Following a local skydiving mission, the pilot was returning to Cleveland Airport. On final approach, both engines failed due to fuel exhaustion. The airplane lost height and while avoiding power cables, the pilot lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed in an open field. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot was injured.

Probable cause:

Failure of both engines due to fuel exhaustion. The following factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Fuel exhaustion,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Evasive manoeuvre to avoid collision,
- High obstructions,
- Complete engine failure on both engines,
- Pilot had to maneuver to avoid power lines on final approach.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Davenport: 6 killed

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft E18

Operator:

Registration:

N310WA

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Muscatine - Davenport - Chicago

MSN:

BA-12

YOM:

1954

Location:

Davenport

Iowa

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

6000

Captain / Total hours on type:

2000.00

Circumstances:

On approach to Davenport Airport, the right wing detached. The twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed in an open field located few miles from the airfield. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all six occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Structural failure of the right wing on descent due to fatigue cracks. The following factors were reported:
- Airframe, wings spars,
- Fatigue fracture,
- Inadequate inspection of aircraft on part of the maintenance personnel,
- Preexisting crack on lower spar cap WS-81 that was discernible but not detected over a 6-year period,
- Right wing folded upward.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-A80 Queen Air in Brick Township: 6 killed

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft 80 Queen Air

Operator:

Playpen South

Registration:

N456WM

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Monmouth - Monmouth

MSN:

LD-225

YOM:

1965

Location:

Brick Township

New Jersey

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While cruising at a relative low altitude, the twin engine airplane entered a series of hazardous manoeuvres when control was lost. The airplane crashed near Brick Township and was totally destroyed. All six occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

The pilot exceeded the designed stress limits of the aircraft. The following factors were reported:
- Pilot's physical impairment,
- Alcoholic impairment of efficiency and judgment,
- Separation in flight,
- Overload failure,
- Pilot alcohol level 1,05‰ tissue fluid,
- In-flight separation of wings and tail after a series of steep dives and pull-ups.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402A in Greensboro: 6 killed

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 402

Operator:

Rusk Aviation

Registration:

N4599Q

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Demonstration

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Greensboro - Greensboro

MSN:

402A-099

YOM:

1969

Location:

Greensboro

North Carolina

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

10500

Captain / Total hours on type:

2000.00

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Greensboro, while engaged in a local demo flight, the twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed in flames. All six occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled descent following a failure of the elevator tab control system. The following factors were reported:
- Flight control system disconnected,
- Bolt connecting aft elevator bellcrank and elevator pushrod came loose,
- 100 h ours inspection completed 66 hours prior to the accident.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Sabreliner 60 in Montrose: 2 killed

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Rockwell Sabreliner 60

Operator:

Registration:

N743R

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Positioning

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Los Angeles - Montrose - Denver

MSN:

306-11

YOM:

1968

Location:

Montrose

Colorado

Country:

Region: