Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II in Pataskala: 1 killed

Date & Time:
Operator:
Registration:
N5977M
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Ann Arbor - Columbus
MSN:
421B-0220
YOM:
1972
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
1563
Captain / Total hours on type:
500.00
Circumstances:
While approaching Columbus-John Glenn in marginal weather conditions, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck power cables and trees, stalled and crashed in Pataskala, about 10,5 miles east of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was caused by the incapacitation of the pilot. The following factors were reported:
- Low ceiling and fog,
- The pilot had moderate to severe arteriosclerosis.
Final Report:

Crash of a Convair CV-580 near Appleton: 5 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N90858
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Houghton – Ironwood – Green Bay – Oshkosh – Milwaukee – Chicago
MSN:
83
YOM:
1969
Flight number:
NC290
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
15688
Captain / Total hours on type:
3079.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4462
Copilot / Total hours on type:
62
Aircraft flight hours:
45905
Circumstances:
The airplane was on its way from Green Bay to Oshkosh, flying at an altitude of 2,500 feet in relative good weather conditions when it collided with an Air Wisconsin De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 200 registered N4043B. En route from Sheboygan to Appleton with six passengers and two pilots on board, the Twin Otter was descending to Appleton Airport. At the time of the accident, both airplanes were flying under VFR in an uncontrolled airspace. Following the collision, both aircraft crashed into Lake Winnebago, some five miles southeast of Appleton Airport. Debris were found floating on water, both airplanes were totally destroyed and all 13 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The failure of both flight crews to detect visually the other aircraft in sufficient time to initiate evasive action. the Board is unable to determine why each crew failed to see and avoid the other aircraft; however, the Board believes that the ability of both crews to detect the other aircraft in time to avoid a collision was reduced because of the atmospheric conditions and human visual limitations.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 200 near Appleton: 8 killed

Date & Time:
Operator:
Registration:
N4043B
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Chicago - Sheboygan - Appleton
MSN:
13
YOM:
1966
Flight number:
ZW671
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Captain / Total flying hours:
6556
Captain / Total hours on type:
3412.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4309
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1685
Aircraft flight hours:
15664
Circumstances:
Following a uneventful flight from Sheboygan, the crew started the descent to Appleton Airport in relative good weather conditions when, at an altitude of 2,500 feet, the Twin Otter collided with a North Central Airlines Convair CV-580 registered N90858. En route from Green Bay to Oshkosh, the Convair was carrying two passengers and three crew members. At the time of the accident, both airplanes were flying under VFR in an uncontrolled airspace. Following the collision, both aircraft crashed into Lake Winnebago, some five miles southeast of Appleton Airport. Debris were found floating on water, both airplanes were totally destroyed and all 13 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The failure of both flight crews to detect visually the other aircraft in sufficient time to initiate evasive action. the Board is unable to determine why each crew failed to see and avoid the other aircraft; however, the Board believes that the ability of both crews to detect the other aircraft in time to avoid a collision was reduced because of the atmospheric conditions and human visual limitations.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Cleveland: 1 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N42A
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Philadelphia - Cleveland - Rockford
MSN:
BA-133
YOM:
1956
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
15176
Captain / Total hours on type:
1361.00
Circumstances:
Just after liftoff, while in initial climb, the left wing detached. Out of control, the airplane crashed in a huge explosion and was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Structural failure and detachment of the left wing during initial climb and uncontrolled descent due to the presence of fatigue cracks. The following factors were reported:
- Inadequate inspection of the aircraft on part of the maintenance personnel,
- Wings spars,
- Fatigue fracture,
- Left wing failed, folded up,
- Fatigue crack was present during prior inspection but was not detected.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560A in Greenwood

Date & Time:
Operator:
Registration:
N2754B
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Greenwood - Greenwood
MSN:
560-254
YOM:
1955
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
30070
Captain / Total hours on type:
120.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after liftoff from Greenwood-Leflore Airport, while in initial climb, the airplane stalled and crashed. The pilot, sole on board, was seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The pilot-in-command exercised poor judgment and failed to obtain sufficient flying speed while trying to take off in single engine configuration.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Nashville: 1 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N7526
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Detroit - Louisville - Nashville
MSN:
A-995
YOM:
1953
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
1875
Captain / Total hours on type:
50.00
Circumstances:
Upon landing, the twin engine airplane landed hard and bounced. Out of control, it veered off runway and came to rest in flames. A pilot was killed while the second occupant was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
Loss of control upon landing caused by a spontaneous and improper action on part of the copilot who was the pilot-in-command. The following factors were reported:
- Inadequate supervision of flight,
- Poor crew coordination,
- Improper level off,
- Full power recovery from bounced landing,
- Pilot later said that power was for go-around.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S near Winfield: 2 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N234AP
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Arkansas City - White Plains
MSN:
BA-272
YOM:
1957
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
14226
Captain / Total hours on type:
1200.00
Circumstances:
While cruising on a night cargo flight from Arkansas City to White Plains, NY, the airplane went out of control and crashed in flames in an open field located near Winfield. The aircraft was totally destroyed and both occupants have been killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent following an in-flight fire from undetermined source which cause the left wing separation. Left propeller found feathered.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500A near Safford: 2 killed

Date & Time:
Registration:
N140X
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Safford - Safford
MSN:
500-1268-91
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
7589
Captain / Total hours on type:
48.00
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a local fire control mission. En route, the twin engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in the region of Safford, killing both occupants.
Probable cause:
Loss of control in mountainous terrain for undetermined reason. No witnesses to steep nose down impact.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon in Cochrane: 1 killed

Date & Time:
Registration:
N91005
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
La Crosse - Minneapolis
MSN:
207-0005
YOM:
1969
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
2871
Captain / Total hours on type:
861.00
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude on a night cargo flight from La Crosse to Minneapolis, the pilot lost control of the airplane that dove into the ground and crashed in a field. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent following physical impairment. The chief pilot reported that the pilot had fallen asleep while flying before.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-9-14 in Fort Worth: 4 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N3305L
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Fort Worth - Fort Worth
MSN:
45700/11
YOM:
1965
Flight number:
DL9570
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
6220
Captain / Total hours on type:
845.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
7800
Copilot / Total hours on type:
450
Aircraft flight hours:
18998
Circumstances:
The crew (three company pilots and a FAA pilot) were completing a local training flight at Fort Worth-Greater Southwest (Amon Carter Field) Airport. Following a normal approach to runway 13, the airplane passed over the threshold when it rolled left and right, causing the right wing struck the runway surface. Out of control, the airplane rolled to the right and crashed in flames. All four crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
An encounter with a trailing vortex generated by a preceding "heavy" jet which resulted in an involuntary loss of control of the airplane during final approach. Although cautioned to expect turbulence the crew did not have sufficient information to evaluate accurately the hazard or the possible location of the vortex. Existing FAA procedures for controlling VFR flight did not provide the same protection from a vortex encounter as was provided to flights being given radar vectors in either IFR or VFR conditions.
Final Report: