Crash of a Douglas DC-8-63CF in Anchorage: 47 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N4909C
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
McChord – Anchorage – Yokota – Cam Ranh Bay
MSN:
46060/472
YOM:
1969
Flight number:
CL3/26
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
219
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
47
Captain / Total flying hours:
14650
Captain / Total hours on type:
5740.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
13500
Copilot / Total hours on type:
2057
Aircraft flight hours:
4944
Circumstances:
The airplane was completing a charter flight from McChord AFB to Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam, with intermediate stops in Anchorage and Yokota, carrying 219 military personnels and 10 crew members. During the takeoff roll on runway 06R at Anchorage-Intl Airport, the airplane failed to gain sufficient speed and to get airborne. After V1 speed, the crew decided to abort the takeoff procedure but the airplane overran, struck a wooden barrier, an ILS structure, a 12-foot deep drainage ditch and came to rest in flames. A crew member and 46 passengers were killed while 182 other occupants were evacuated, 163 of them were wounded. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
The failure of the aircraft to attain the necessary airspeed to effect lift-off during the attempted takeoff. The lack of acceleration, undetected by the crew until after the aircraft reached V1 speed, was the result of a high frictional drag which was caused by a failure of all main landing gear wheels to rotate. Although it was determined that a braking pressure sufficient to lock all of the wheels was imparted to the brake system, the source of this pressure could not be determined. Possible sources of the unwanted braking pressure were either a hydraulic/brake system malfunction or an inadvertently engaged parking brake.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Turbo Commander 681 near Altus: 1 killed

Date & Time:
Registration:
N9060N
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Muskogee - Hobbs - Muskogee
MSN:
681-6011
YOM:
1969
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
15000
Captain / Total hours on type:
190.00
Circumstances:
En route to Muskogee, while cruising by night, the pilot reported engine trouble but did not report any emergency. Twenty minutes later, the airplane went out of control and crashed in a huge explosion near Altus. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure in normal cruise for undetermined reason. The following factors were reported:
- Failed to obtain/maintain flying speed,
- Improper operation of powerplant,
- Thrust reversal unwanted,
- Partial loss of power on one engine,
- Pilot reported engine problem approximately 20 minutes before accident but no emergency,
- Reported feathering the propeller for landing,
- Propeller found in reverse position.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon in Lewis: 1 killed

Date & Time:
Operator:
Registration:
N91119
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Burlington – Buffalo
MSN:
207-0081
YOM:
1969
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
4050
Captain / Total hours on type:
200.00
Circumstances:
While flying at low altitude, the pilot encountered patches of fog when the single engine airplane hit tree tops and crashed in a wooded area located in Lewis, NY. The wreckage was found two days later and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Improper IFR operation on part of the pilot who took improper in-flight decisions. The following factors were reported:
- Unwarranted low flying,
- Fog patches,
- Aircraft seen at treetop level prior to impact with mountain upslope.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-9-31 in Huntington: 75 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N97S
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Kinston - Huntington
MSN:
47245/510
YOM:
1969
Flight number:
SO932
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
71
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
75
Captain / Total flying hours:
18557
Captain / Total hours on type:
2194.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
5872
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1196
Aircraft flight hours:
3667
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Kinston-Stallings Field, North Carolina, at 1838LT on a charter flight to Huntington, West Virginia, carrying players and fans of the Marshall University Football Team based in Huntington. Following an uneventful flight, the crew contacted Huntington Approach Control at 1923LT and was cleared for a runway 11 localizer approach. At 1934LT, the airplane passed the Outer Marker and the crew was cleared to land. In marginal weather conditions (mist and rain), the airplane descended below the minimum descent altitude and the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the aircraft struck trees and crashed in flames on the slope of a hill located one mile short of runway 11 threshold. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and none of the 75 occupants survived the crash. At the time of the accident, there were scattered clouds at 300 feet, broken overcast at 500 feet and solid overcast at 1,000 feet. Among the 75 occupants were 36 players, nine coaches and administrators, 26 fans and four crew members.
Probable cause:
The descent below Minimum Descent Altitude during a non precision approach under adverse weather conditions, without visual contact with the runway environment. The Board has been unable to determine the reason for this descent, although the two most likely explanations are: a) improper use of cockpit instrument data; or b) an altimetry system error.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell 1121 Jet Commander in Lexington: 2 killed

Date & Time:
Operator:
Registration:
N100RC
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Columbus – Lexington
MSN:
1121-060
YOM:
1966
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
5859
Captain / Total hours on type:
2070.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Lexington-Blue Grass Airport by night, the crew encountered poor weather conditions. In rain falls, the airplane was observed in a steep right bank descending then rolled to opposite direction before impact. The airplane was destroyed and both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control after the pilot-in-command suffered a spatial disorientation during a night approach in marginal weather conditions. The following factors were reported:
- Low ceiling and rain.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft G18S in Pittsburgh

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N871MP
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Parkersburg - Pittsburgh
MSN:
BA-610
YOM:
1962
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total hours on type:
1800.00
Circumstances:
While approaching Pittsburgh-Greater Pittsburgh Airport by night, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck tree tops and crashed 3 miles short of runway. All seven occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Improper IFR operation on part of the crew who misread or failed to read the instruments on approach. The airplane hit the ground 3 miles short of runway, about 950 feet below glide slope.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I in Bath: 2 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N3155K
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Ambler - Ambler
MSN:
421A-0127
YOM:
1968
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
6085
Captain / Total hours on type:
8.00
Circumstances:
The crew departed Ambler Airport on a local FAA autopilot certification test flight. Following circuits over the region, the crew was returning to Ambler when he encountered foggy conditions. While cruising at an insufficient altitude, the airplane struck trees and crashed in flames in a wooded area located in Bath, about 40 miles north of Ambler. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Improper IFR operation on part of the pilot who diverted attention from operation of aircraft. The following factors were reported:
- The pilot-in-command failed to follow the approved procedures,
- Low ceiling and fog,
- VFR day only,
- Descended below MDA during a VOR approach,
- No aircraft, engine or system malfunction found.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 200 in La Crosse

Date & Time:
Operator:
Registration:
N956SM
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Minneapolis – La Crosse – Chicago
MSN:
203
YOM:
1969
Flight number:
XV106
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2350
Captain / Total hours on type:
920.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
2277
Copilot / Total hours on type:
577
Circumstances:
While executing a non precision instrument approach to La Crosse Airport in marginal weather conditions, the crew failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the airplane struck tree trops and crashed 4,000 feet short of runway 13 threshold. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and there was no fire. All six occupants were seriously injured. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were considered as poor with indefinite ceiling, 500 feet obscuration, visibility half a mile, light drizzle and fog.
Probable cause:
For reasons unknown, the captain failed to maintain altitude at minimum descent altitude and allowed the aircraft to descend below the height of the trees while executing a non precision instrument approach in instrument flight conditions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45H Expeditor off San Francisco

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N6654R
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
San José – San Francisco
MSN:
AF-485
YOM:
1953
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
14000
Captain / Total hours on type:
3300.00
Circumstances:
While approaching San Francisco Airport in foggy conditions, the crew reduced his altitude and passed below the minimum descent altitude when the twin engine airplane struck the water surface and crashed into the San Francisco Bay, few hundred yards off shore. All four occupants were injured and rescued while the aircraft sank and was lost. At the time of the accident, the visibility was reduced due to fog.
Probable cause:
Improper IFR operation on part of the crew who failed to follow the approved procedures. The following factors were reported:
- Low ceiling and fog,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Weather considerably worse than forecast,
- Descended below MDA,
- Procedure requested identification of approach or runway lights not in effect by operator.
Final Report:

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

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
62-3865
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Fort Meade - Huntington
MSN:
LF-63
YOM:
1962
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was completing a liaison flight from Fort Meade, MD, to Huntington, WV. While approaching Huntington-Tri-State Airport by night and in heavy rain falls, the aircraft went out of control and crashed on final. One passenger was injured while three other occupants were killed, among them Major General Edwin H. Burba, Deputy Commander of the 1st Army.
Crew:
Cw2 Paul R. Burtt, pilot,
Cw3 Maynard V. Reisinger, copilot.
Passengers:
MG Edwin H. Burba +1.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of a fatal design flaw in the fuel cross feed system.