Region
North America
code

USA

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Bismarck

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft D18
Operator:
Registration:
N375C
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Dickinson - Bismarck
MSN:
A-600
YOM:
1951
Location:
Bismarck
North Dakota
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:
5079
Circumstances:
While on a night approach to Bismarck Airport on a cargo flight from Dickinson, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was too low when the twin engine airplane struck power cables, lost height and crashed in an open field located few miles short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Improper IFR operation on part of the pilot who failed to follow the approved procedures. The following factors were reported:
- Instrument misread or failed to read,
- Altimeter setting incorrect,
- High obstructions,
- Hit power cables on VOR approach,
- Altitude setting 30.89 and 30.13 in aircraft while approach transmitted 29.75,
- The pilot was not wearing glasses.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II off Boston: 2 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II
Operator:
Winer Sportswear
Registration:
N456CB
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Boston - Teterboro
MSN:
421B-0112
YOM:
1971
Location:
Boston-Logan
Massachusetts
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
Captain / Total flying hours:
2559
Circumstances:
The pilot initiated the flight in poor weather conditions. After takeoff from Boston-Logan Airport, while climbing in darkness, foggy conditions and rain falls, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed into the Boston harbor. The aircraft sank and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot initiated flight in adverse weather conditions and suffered a spatial disorientation during initial climb. The following factors were reported:
- Low ceiling and fog,
- Visibility below minimums,
- Took off in near zero zero conditions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45H Expeditor off Molokai: 8 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
Operator:
Alii Air Hawaii
Registration:
N5642V
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Honolulu - Lanai
MSN:
AF-721
YOM:
1954
Location:
Molokai
Hawaii
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Captain / Total flying hours:
7323
Captain / Total hours on type:
764.00
Circumstances:
En route from Honolulu to Lanai, while cruising along the coast, the twin engine airplane went through a stormy area when control was lost. It crashed into the sea offshore and was destroyed. All eight occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the pilot continued under VFR mode into adverse weather conditions. The following factors were reported:
- Low ceiling, rain and thunderstorm activity,
- The pilot flew into known thunderstorm activity.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I in Midland

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I
Operator:
Registration:
N4087L
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Midland - Ponca City
Location:
Midland
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
13745
Captain / Total hours on type:
627.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Midland Airport, while in initial climb, the left engine caught fire. The pilot declared an emergency and did not feather the propeller. He reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing when the airplane crash landed in a field and came to rest in flames. All five occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Fire on left engine during initial climb. The following factors were reported:
- Failure of the fuel system: lines and fittings,
- Fuel leak,
- Fuel starvation,
- Engine fire,
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection,
- Fuel control line leaked, left engine caught fire, unfeathered propeller.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-B80 Queen Air near Fairfield: 5 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 80 Queen Air
Operator:
Registration:
N1027C
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Hailey - Boise
MSN:
LD-309
YOM:
1966
Location:
Fairfield-Camas County
Idaho
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:
12179
Captain / Total hours on type:
612.00
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude, the left engine caught fire and exploded. Shortly later, the left wing separated. Out of control, the airplane dove into the ground and crashed near Fairfield, killing all five occupants.
Probable cause:
Engine failure in normal cruise followed by an airframe failure. The following factors were reported:
- Improper maintenance by maintenance personnel,
- Powerplant failure due to cylinder assembly which was improperly installed,
- Engine fire,
- Fire in brakes, wheel assembly and wheel well,
- Separation in flight,
- Cylinder separation,
- Excessive working hours may have contributed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed C-130E Hercules at Jacksonville AFB: 5 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed C-130 Hercules
Operator:
Registration:
62-1813
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
3775
YOM:
1963
Location:
Little Rock-Jacksonville AFB
Arkansas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
A minute after takeoff from Jacksonville AFB, the Hercules collided with a USAF Jet trainer Cessna T-37 Tweet carrying two pilots. The crew was inbound to Jacksonville AFB on a flight from Big Spring-Webb Airbase. Following the collision, both aircraft went out of control and crashed in a field located about 3 miles from the airfield. While both occupants on board the T-37 ejected and survived, all five crew members on board the Hercules were killed.

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Jackson: 2 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft D18
Operator:
Hankins Airways
Registration:
N80398
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Chicago - Jackson - Detroit
MSN:
A-369
YOM:
1947
Location:
Jackson-Reynolds Field
Michigan
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
Captain / Total flying hours:
6566
Circumstances:
Shortly after a night takeoff from Jackson-Reynolds Airport, while in initial climb, the twin engine airplane banked right and crashed in flames. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine during initial climb for undetermined reason. The following factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Failed to obtain/maintain flying speed,
- Airframe ice,
- Icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain,
- Evidence of little power on right engine,
- Observer saw ice on aircraft before and after accident,
- Cargo not secured.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft U-8F Seminole in Atlanta: 3 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft U-8F Seminole
Operator:
Registration:
61-2430
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
LF-29
YOM:
1961
Location:
Atlanta-Fulton County-Brown Field
Georgia
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
On a final VOR approach to Atlanta-Fulton County-Brown Field Airport, the crew encountered marginal weather conditions. The aircraft went out of control and crashed few miles short of runway 08, bursting into flames. A pilot and two passengers were killed while three other occupants were seriously injured. The aircraft was on a round robin IFR service at the time of the accident.
Crew:
Cw3 Lawrence J. Screptock +1.
Passengers:
Ltc Joseph E. Burke Jr.,
Col Lester M. Conger +3.

Crash of a Lockheed 10A Electra in Corpus Christi

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 10 Electra
Operator:
Registration:
N3485
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Corpus Christi - Matamoros
MSN:
1013
Location:
Corpus Christi
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5000
Captain / Total hours on type:
50.00
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Corpus Christi Airport, the pilot decided to abandon the procedure and started an emergency braking procedure. In unclear circumstances, the twin engine airplane went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. All nine occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The pilot exercised poor judgment and lost control of the airplane in unfavorable wind conditions. The following factors were reported:
- Overload failure,
- Right cross wind 068 to 112°,
- 070° right crosswind gusting up to 24 knots.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S near Bismarck

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft D18
Operator:
Registration:
N57CC
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Jamestown - Bismarck
MSN:
A-277
YOM:
1946
Location:
Bismarck
North Dakota
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:
2326
Captain / Total hours on type:
477.00
Circumstances:
While cruising by night on a cargo flight from Jamestown to Bismarck, the pilot, a full time student, fell asleep. Under autopilot, the twin engine airplane continued for a while before sticking a mountain located in the region of Bismarck. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
The accident was caused by the physical impairment of the pilot who fell asleep in flight due to fatigue. The following factors were reported:
- Autopilot ON,
- Altitude hold OFF.
Final Report:
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