Region
North America
code

USA

Crash of a Douglas DC-3C in Shawnee

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-3
Operator:
Patterson McCarthy Leasing
Registration:
N14273
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Shawnee - Shawnee
MSN:
7366
YOM:
1943
Location:
Shawnee
Oklahoma
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
27
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
12190
Captain / Total hours on type:
1540.00
Circumstances:
The airplane was engaged in a local sightseeing flight of a duration of eight minutes. Shortly after takeoff from runway 35, in initial climb, the left engine lost power. The crew reduced his altitude and elected to make an emergency landing when the right wing struck trees. The airplane lost height and crashed near a farm. All 29 occupants were evacuated, nine of them were wounded. The aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Failure of the left engine after takeoff due to spark plug problems. The following factors were reported:
- Ignition system, spark plug,
- Material failure,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Improperly loaded aircraft, weight and CofG,
- Partial loss of power on one engine,
- Suspected mechanical discrepancy,
- Left engine n°3 cylinder rear spark plug center electrode missing,
- The aircraft was approximately 581 pounds over MTOW.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45H Expeditor in Lakeside

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
Operator:
Aerospace Products
Registration:
N4709C
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Skydiving / Paratroopers
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Lakeside - Lakeside
MSN:
AF-819
YOM:
1954
Location:
Lakeside
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2075
Captain / Total hours on type:
251.00
Circumstances:
The aircraft was engaged in a local skydiving mission, carrying 10 skydivers and one pilot. Following a roll of about 900 feet, the pilot started the rotation. At a speed of 75 mph, the airplane lifted off then stalled and struck the ground. Out of control, it veered off runway and came to rest in flames. All 11 occupants were rescued, one passenger was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Premature lift-off on part of the pilot who failed to obtain/maintain flying speed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando near Nondalton

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
N10012
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Anchorage - Nondalton
MSN:
33271
YOM:
1945
Flight number:
RV012
Location:
Nondalton
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
13000
Captain / Total hours on type:
3280.00
Circumstances:
After landing on an icy lake located near Nondalton, the aircraft broke thru the ice and partially sank. Both pilots were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Improper in-flight decisions or planning on part of the flying crew. The aircraft broke thru ice on lake. FSS had message for pilot on ice condition but the crew did not call the station before landing.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 520 in Columbia: 6 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 520
Operator:
Newberry Flying Service
Registration:
N4190B
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Ridgeland – Columbia – Newberry
MSN:
520-97
YOM:
1953
Location:
Columbia
South Carolina
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
3301
Captain / Total hours on type:
271.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Columbia Airport by night, during the last segment, the pilot overshot the center line and completed a sharp turn to the right when the airplane lost height and crashed in flames short of runway threshold. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all six occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot failed to obtain/maintain flying speed on final approach. The following factors were reported:
- Improperly loaded aircraft and CofG,
- Overshot the center line in sharp descending turn to the right,
- The airplane was overloaded by 200 pounds.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I in Cadillac

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I
Operator:
Registration:
N4555L
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Carroll - Cadillac
MSN:
421A-0155
YOM:
1968
Location:
Reed City
Michigan
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:
8606
Captain / Total hours on type:
1100.00
Circumstances:
While descending to Cadillac Airport, Michigan, the pilot encountered poor visibility due to night and snow showers and failed to realized his altitude was too low. The twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed in a wooded area located in Reed City, some 28 miles south of Cadillac-Wexford County Airport. All three occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The pilot failed to follow the approved procedures. The following factors were reported:
- Improper altimeter setting,
- Snow showers,
- Struck trees at an altitude of 1,050 feet, altitude reading 1,700 feet.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell 1121A Jet Commander in New York: 5 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell 1121 Jet Commander
Operator:
Registration:
N400CP
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Burlington - Providence
MSN:
1121-30
YOM:
1965
Location:
New York
New York
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
9908
Captain / Total hours on type:
692.00
Circumstances:
While cruising by night over the State of New York on a flight from Burlington, Vermont, and Providence, Rhode Island, the twin engine airplane disappeared from radar screens without the pilots having been able to transmit all or part of an emergency message. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the crew was ever found. It is believed that the aircraft may crash into Lake Champlain but again, no trace was ever found.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 411 in Teterboro: 1 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 411
Operator:
Madsen International
Registration:
N7386U
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Teterboro - Elmira
MSN:
411-0086
YOM:
1965
Location:
Teterboro
New Jersey
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:
6450
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Teterboro Airport, while in initial climb, the pilot lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed in a huge explosion near the runway end. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent after takeoff following a powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following factors were reported:
- The pilot failed to obtain/maintain flying speed,
- The pilot failed to follow the approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Complete engine failure on one engine,
- No engine malfunction found,
- Possibly insufficient warm up time,
- The pilot did not maintain single engine speed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 99A Airliner in Killeen

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 99 Airliner
Operator:
Registration:
N12RA
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Dallas – Killeen
MSN:
U-131
YOM:
1969
Location:
Killeen
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
13
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
4200
Captain / Total hours on type:
1000.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Killeen Airport, the crew encountered marginale weather conditions with fog and ceiling. He was informed from ATC about a visibility below minima but the captain decided to continue the descent until the aircraft struck the ground short of runway and came to rest. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and all 15 occupants were injured, nine of them seriously.
Probable cause:
Improper IFR operation on part of crew. The following factors were reported:
- Low ceiling and fog,
- The pilot knew that weather was below VOR minimums from ATC and another pilot who had to divert to alternate airport.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500B in Jackson: 2 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 500
Operator:
Racran Corporation
Registration:
N6254X
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Jackson - Jackson
MSN:
500-1123-70
YOM:
1961
Location:
Jackson-McKellar Sipes
Tennessee
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:
4162
Captain / Total hours on type:
1510.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Jackson-McKellar Sipes Airport, the pilot encountered foggy conditions. The pilot decided to reduce his altitude and passed below the minimum descent altitude when the airplane struck trees and crashed three miles short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot failed to follow the approved procedures. The following factors were reported:
- Improper IFR operation,
- Overcast at 400 feet and fog,
- Descended below MDA of 760 feet approximately 3 miles before runway threshold.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500 in Carson: 1 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 500
Operator:
Mission Drywall Company
Registration:
N8473C
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Hillsboro – Spokane
MSN:
500-801
YOM:
1959
Location:
Carson
Washington
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:
516
Captain / Total hours on type:
207.00
Circumstances:
On a night flight from Hillsboro to Spokane, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with low ceiling, freezing rain and a visibility limited to 3 miles. Despite the situation, he decided to continue under VFR mode when few minutes later, he lost control of the airplane that crashed near Carson. The wreckage was found three days later. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot continued under VFR flight into adverse weather conditions and attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment. The following factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Airframe ice,
- Low ceiling,
- Icing conditions including sleet, freezing rain,
- Flew into known icing conditions,
- Aircraft not de-icer equipped.
Final Report:
Subscribe to United States of America