Crash of a Lockheed P-3C-125-LO Orion at Moffett AFB: 5 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
157332
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Moffett - Moffett
MSN:
185-5547
YOM:
1970
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The aircraft was engaged in a local training flight with a crew of six on board. At a same time was approaching to Moffett AFB a NASA Convair CV-990-30A-5 registered N711NA that was returning to Moffett following a test flight over the Monterey Bay with eight scientists and a crew of three on board. Following an uneventful mission, the crew of the Convair started the approach and was cleared to land on runway 32R while seven miles out. After been cleared, the Orion's crew informed ATC he was joining the runway 32L approach path when the controller cleared the crew of the Convair to land at runway 32L. Shortly later, at an altitude of about 300 feet, the nose gear of the Convair struck the top of the Orion's tail. Both airplanes went out of control and crashed in flames on the Sunnyvale golf course located about 0,3 mile short of runway threshold. A crew member from the Orion was seriously injured while all 16 other occupants on both aircraft were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the collision was the consequence of several errors on part of the approach controller. He firstly cleared the Convair's crew to land on runway 32R and the Orion's crew to land on runway 32L. But during the approach, after the Orion's crew confirmed he was joining the runway 32L approach path, the controller cleared the crew of the Convair to land on the same runway 32L. For reasons undetermined, the Convair's crew did not ask any question about this runway change. Also, none of the crew was able to see and avoid each other.

Crash of a Convair CV-990-30A-5 at Moffett AFB: 11 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N711NA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Moffett - Moffett
MSN:
30-10-1
YOM:
1961
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
The aircraft was engaged in a local test flight at Moffett Airbase, carrying three crew members and eight NASA scientists in charge to test a survey equipment over the Monterey Bay. Following an uneventful mission, the crew started the approach and was cleared to land on runway 32R while seven miles out. In the region was also operated a US Navy Lockheed P-3C-125-LO Orion registered 157332 and that was completing a local training flight with a crew of six on board. After been cleared, the Orion's crew informed ATC he was joining the runway 32L approach path when the controller cleared the crew of the Convair to land at runway 32L. Shortly later, at an altitude of about 300 feet, the nose gear of the Convair struck the top of the Orion's tail. Both airplanes went out of control and crashed in flames on the Sunnyvale golf course located about 0,3 mile short of runway threshold. A crew member from the Orion was seriously injured while all 16 other occupants on both aircraft were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the collision was the consequence of several errors on part of the approach controller. He firstly cleared the Convair's crew to land on runway 32R and the Orion's crew to land on runway 32L. But during the approach, after the Orion's crew confirmed he was joining the runway 32L approach path, the controller cleared the crew of the Convair to land on the same runway 32L. For reasons undetermined, the Convair's crew did not ask any question about this runway change. Also, none of the crew was able to sea and avoid each other.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560A in Midway

Date & Time:
Registration:
N2668B
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tulsa - Jacksonville
MSN:
560A-382
YOM:
1956
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
4740
Captain / Total hours on type:
85.00
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude on a flight from Tulsa to Jacksonville, both engines failed simultaneously. The pilot informed ATC about the situation and he reduced his altitude to attempt an emergency landing. The twin engine airplane struck trees then crashed near Midway. Both occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure in flight caused by a fuel exhaustion. The following factors were reported:
- Fuel on board 156 gallons,
- In flight for 3 hours and 30 minutes,
- Cause of fuel exhaustion could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation in Miami

Date & Time:
Registration:
N6906C
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Miami - Miami
MSN:
4020
YOM:
1952
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While taxiing at Miami-Intl Airport, the right main gear collapsed and the airplane came to a halt. All three crew members evacuated safely while the aircraft was later considered as damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right main gear due to hydraulic leak and material failure. The downlock mechanism failed to prevent the right gear from retract after hydraulic pressure loss for undetermined reason.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed P-2H Neptune at South Weymouth NAS

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
141250
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
726-7122
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Suffered an accident at South Weymouth NAS. There were no casualties.

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

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N300X
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Owensboro - Niles
MSN:
31-412
YOM:
1968
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
16770
Captain / Total hours on type:
376.00
Circumstances:
The pilot started the approach to Niles-Jerry Tyler by night and in poor weather conditions. On final, due a visibility limited to a half of mile, he decided to descend below the minimal descent altitude when the aircraft struck trees and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Improper IFR operation on part of the pilot who took improper in-flight decisions. The following factors were reported:
- Low ceiling, rain, fog and thunderstorm activity,
- Visibility limites to half a mile,
- Descended below MDA in known thunderstorm conditions.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 100 in Savoy: 1 killed

Date & Time:
Operator:
Registration:
N7705
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Savoy - Chicago
MSN:
5
YOM:
1966
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
2745
Captain / Total hours on type:
60.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Savoy-Willard Airport, while in initial climb, the airplane encountered difficulties to gain height, stalled and crashed in flames in an open field. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot who failed to realize that the gust locks were still engaged at takeoff. Unfavorable wind conditions was considered as a contributing factor.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S off Cleveland: 1 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N1900R
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Cleveland - Detroit
MSN:
BA-25
YOM:
1955
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
22000
Captain / Total hours on type:
1000.00
Circumstances:
Crashed into Lake Erie en route from Cleveland to Detroit. The wreckage was never found.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680 in Oklahoma City: 3 killed

Date & Time:
Registration:
N7312
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Muskogee - Oklahoma City - Houston
MSN:
680-476-146
YOM:
1957
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
1300
Circumstances:
On final approach, the twin engine airplane was too low and struck power cables. It stalled and crashed in flames few dozen yards short of runway, killing all three occupants.
Probable cause:
The pilot misjudged distance and altitude on final approach, causing the aircraft to hit power cables and to crash. High obstructions were considered as a contributory factor.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed P-3B-70-LO Orion off Brunswick: 5 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
152749
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Brunswick - Brunswick
MSN:
185-5189
YOM:
1966
Location:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a training flight out of Brunswick NAS when it crash in unknown circumstances into the Atlantic Ocean about 40 miles offshore. The wreckage sank by a depth of 300-600 feet. All five crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
The cause of the accident could not be determined.