Region
North America
code

USA

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500B in Atlanta: 5 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 500
Operator:
J&H Supply Company
Registration:
N6319U
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Gary - Atlanta
MSN:
500B-1384-138
YOM:
1964
Location:
Atlanta-William Berry Hartsfield
Georgia
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
1012
Captain / Total hours on type:
4.00
Circumstances:
The pilot departed Gary, Indiana, with known deficiencies in equipment and encountered technical problems with instruments en route to Atlanta. On approach to Atlanta-William Berry Hartsfield Airport by night and poor weather conditions (low ceiling, fog and rain falls), he descended below the MDA when the airplane struck trees and crashed in College Park, about a mile short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Improper IFR operation on part of the pilot. The following factors were reported:
- Attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Low ceiling, rain and fog,
- Aircraft radios operated intermittently while enroute,
- Descended below MDA on ILS approach,
- One hour dual in type.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31P Pressurized Navajo in San Diego: 2 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
Operator:
Navco International
Registration:
N6815L
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
San Diego - Santa Ana
MSN:
31-17
YOM:
1967
Location:
San Diego-Lindbergh Field
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
2000
Circumstances:
After takeoff from San Diego-Lindbergh Field, while in initial climb, the twin engine airplane banked left then lost height and crashed in flames. All four passengers were injured and both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
The left engine stopped after liftoff following a crew error. The following factors were reported:
- Spontaneous and improper action on part of the crew (pilot and copilot),
- Improper operation of powerplant,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- One of the pilot inadvertently shut off the left engine magneto switches, causing a loss of control.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C18S in Blackfoot

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C18S
Operator:
Don H. Novas
Registration:
N4289A
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Blackfoot - Blackfoot
MSN:
6492
YOM:
1945
Location:
Blackfoot-McCarley Field
Idaho
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
8000
Captain / Total hours on type:
150.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after liftoff from Blackfoot-McCarley Field, while in initial climb, both engines failed simultaneously. The pilot attempted an emergency landing when the airplane belly landed in a field located past the runway end and came to rest. All three occupants were slightly injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure after takeoff caused by a fuel starvation. The following factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Failed to use the pre-takeoff checklist,
- Fuel starvation,
- The pilot took off on almost empty tanks.
Final Report:

Crash of a Pilatus PC-6/B1-H2 Turbo Porter in Deadhorse

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Pilatus PC-6 (Porter & Turbo Porter)
Operator:
Jim's Flying Service
Registration:
N3602R
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
2004
YOM:
1966
Location:
Deadhorse
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
8500
Captain / Total hours on type:
1200.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Deadhorse, the single engine airplane encountered difficulties to gain height then stalled and crashed near the runway end. The pilot was injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The pilot failed to maintain/obtain flying speed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2-30 Marquise off Atlantic City: 3 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquise
Operator:
Soble Air Leasing
Registration:
N132MA
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Atlantic City - Philadelphia
MSN:
503
YOM:
1970
Location:
Atlantic City
New Jersey
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
8000
Captain / Total hours on type:
40.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, the twin engine airplane went out of control, nosed down and crashed into the Atlantic Ocean, few miles offshore. The aircraft was lost and all three occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, there were some fog banks along the shore.
Probable cause:
Loss of control and uncontrolled descent following a bird collision from climb to cruise. The following factors were reported:
- Evidence that geese hit windshield, possibly incapacitating one or both pilots,
- Fog bank along the shore.
Final Report:

Crash of a Short SC.7 Skyvan 3 Variant 300 in La Crosse: 1 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Short SC.7 Skyvan Variant
Operator:
Viking International Air Freight
Registration:
N725R
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Chicago - La Crosse
MSN:
1841
YOM:
1968
Location:
La Crosse
Wisconsin
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
6474
Captain / Total hours on type:
791.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to La Crosse Airport by night on a cargo flight from Chicago, the pilot lost control of the airplane that nosed down and crashed few dozen yards short of runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent on final approach caused by the failure of the wing flap control system. The following factors were reported:
- Overload failure,
- Asymmetrical flaps due to control rod compression overload.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland U-6A Beaver at Camp San Luis Obispo: 2 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver
Operator:
Registration:
51-16469
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Fort Irwin - Camp San Luis Obispo
MSN:
221
YOM:
1952
Location:
Camp San Luis Obispo (Cuesta College)
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
On final approach to Camp San Luis Obispo (Cuesta College), the single engine aircraft struck a warehouse located at the end of the runway. On impact, the left wing was torn off and the airplane veered toward the creek, crashed upside down and caught fire. Both occupants were killed.
Crew:
CW2 Richard F. Race, pilot.
Passenger:
Lt Col Michael A. Nolan.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500 near Noxon: 2 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 500
Operator:
Red Carpet Flying Service
Registration:
N2776
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Topographic
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Walla Walla - Libby
MSN:
500-693
YOM:
1958
Location:
Noxon
Montana
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
5131
Captain / Total hours on type:
57.00
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a mapping/photo mission from Walla Walla (Washington) to Libby, Montana. While cruising in poor weather conditions, the crew lost control of the airplane that dove into the ground and crashed in the region of Noxon. The wreckage was found June 16, 1972. The aircraft was totally destroyed and both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent caused by improper in-flight decisions or planning on part of the crew. The following factors were reported:
- Conditions conducive to carburetor/induction system icing,
- Ice-carburetor,
- Icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain,
- Airframe ice,
- Complete failure of both engines,
- Flew into icing conditions beyond capability of aircraft deicing systems.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Skaneateles: 3 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft E18
Operator:
D. W. Winkelman
Registration:
N50W
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Skaneateles - Harrisburg
MSN:
BA-86
YOM:
1955
Location:
Skaneateles
New York
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
6200
Captain / Total hours on type:
54.00
Circumstances:
Just after takeoff from Skaneateles Airfield runway 10, while in initial climb, the right engine lost power. The pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed into Lake Skaneateles. The pilot and two passengers were killed while three other occupants were injured. The aircraft was lost.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent after takeoff following a partial loss of power on the right engine. The following factors were reported:
- Improper operation of powerplant & powerplant controls,
- Improper operation or failed to use the anti-icing/deicing equipment,
- Ice carburetor,
- Conditions conducive to carburetor/induction system icing,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Airport conditions,
- Low ceiling and snow,
- Took off from a strip too short to obtain VMC speed,
- Near gross weight, after CofG.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan near McFadden: 7 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan
Operator:
Thomas W. Lane
Registration:
N1322M
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Rock Springs - Broomfield
MSN:
1468
YOM:
1942
Location:
McFadden
Wyoming
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Captain / Total flying hours:
1295
Captain / Total hours on type:
16.00
Circumstances:
While cruising in bad weather conditions on a flight from Rock Springs to Broomfield, Colorado, control was lost. The aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in a mountainous area located near McFadden. All seven occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent after the crew continued under VFR mode into adverse weather conditions and suffered a spatial disorientation. The following factors were reported:
- Snow,
- Icing conditions, including sleet and freezing rain,
- Turbulences associated with clouds and thunderstorms,
- Airframe ice,
- While following hiway, the crew encountered forecasted snow and turbulences,
- Struck the ground in a nose down and left bank attitude at high rate of speed.
Final Report:
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