Region
North America
code

USA

Crash of a De Havilland U-6A Beaver at Fort Benning AFB: 2 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Fort Benning - Fort Benning
Location:
Fort Benning AFB (Lawson AAF)
Georgia
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
Circumstances:
While completing a local training flight at Fort Benning AFB (Lawson AAF), the single engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances. Both crew members were killed.
Crew:
lward E. Crow,
PV2 Charles R. Grimsinger.

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Plymouth

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft D18
Operator:
American Aviation (1970)
Registration:
N8999E
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Plymouth - Pelée Island
MSN:
A-585
YOM:
1951
Location:
Plymouth
Michigan
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
4700
Captain / Total hours on type:
610.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after liftoff, while in initial climb, the tail stalled. The airplane lost height and crashed near the runway end. Five occupants were slightly injured while three other, among them the pilot, were seriously wounded. The aircraft was destroyed. It was on its way to the Pelée Island in Ontario.
Probable cause:
Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot. The aircraft was improperly loaded and over gross weight about 300 lbs. The CofG was about 5 inches aft limits.
Final Report:

Crash of a Short SC.7 Skyvan 3 Variant 200 near Bettles

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Short SC.7 Skyvan Variant
Operator:
Pan Alaska Airways
Registration:
N123PA
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Prospect Creek - Dietrich Camp
MSN:
1861
YOM:
1969
Location:
Bettles
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:
9495
Captain / Total hours on type:
304.00
Circumstances:
While cruising at an altitude of 2,500 feet , the right engine failed. The crew feathered its propeller when the left engine lost power. The crew reduced his altitude and elected to make an emergency landing when the airplane struck trees and crashed near an icy river. Both pilots were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine in flight and partial loss of power on left engine caused by fuel contamination. The following factors were reported:
- Improperly serviced aircraft by owner-pilot,
- Fuel contamination-exclusive of water in fuel,
- Water in fuel,
- Failure of right engine in flight, propeller feathered,
- Left engine lost power,
- Sediment found in fuel storage tanks.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Fort Wayne: 1 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
Operator:
Gerald R. Hamm
Registration:
N6637L
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Charlotte - Fort Wayne
MSN:
31-575
YOM:
1969
Location:
Fort Wayne
Indiana
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:
1545
Captain / Total hours on type:
495.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Fort Wayne Airport, the pilot encountered limited visibility due to poor weather conditions (fog, rain falls and low clouds). He reduced his altitude to minimum and lost control of the airplane while completing a steep turn at low altitude. The airplane struck the ground and crashed in flames. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Improper IFR operation on part of the pilot who failed to obtain/maintain flying speed on final approach. The following factors were reported:
- Low ceiling, rain and fog,
- Weather conditions slightly worse than forecast,
- Descended below published approach minimums,
- Lost control during steep low altitude turn.
Final Report:

Crash of a Canadian Vickers PBV-1A Canso in Rhinelander: 2 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Canadian Vickers PBV-1 Canso (OA-10 Canso)
Operator:
Barringer Research
Registration:
N610FF
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Test
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Rhinelander - Rhinelander
MSN:
CV-399
YOM:
1941
Location:
Rhinelander
Wisconsin
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
18717
Captain / Total hours on type:
3507.00
Circumstances:
The crew (pilots and technicians) were engaged in a local test flight consisting of an electric equipment post maintenance check. After liftoff, while in initial climb, the seaplane encountered difficulties to gain height, stalled and crashed in flames in an open field. Both pilots were killed while three other occupants were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the crew who failed to obtain/maintain flying speed at takeoff. It was determined that the airplane stalled due to an excessive accumulation of ice on airframe. At the time of the accident, approximately 50% of frost accumulated on aircraft that was not de-iced prior to takeoff. Mineral research and electric test flight.
Final Report:

Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2B-10 Marquise in Northfield

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquise
Operator:
LBK Investments Company
Registration:
N549LK
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Northfield - Cleveland
MSN:
22
YOM:
1967
Location:
Northfield
Ohio
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
7244
Captain / Total hours on type:
995.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from a grassy runway located in Northfield, the twin engine airplane struck tree tops, stalled and crashed. All four occupants were injured, the pilot seriously. The aircraft was destroyed, it was en route to Cleveland-Hopkins Airport. It was determined that the pilot started the takeoff run from a muddy runway with a too short takeoff distance.
Probable cause:
Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot who failed to obtain/maintain flying speed during initial climb. The following factors were reported:
- Airport conditions, soft runway,
- Failed to use all available runway,
- High obstructions,
- All runways were muddy,
- Began takeoff roll 690 feet short of departure end due to mud ground,
- Presence of 92 feet trees about 60 feet from the runway end.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed L-382B-10C Hercules at McGuire AFB: 3 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed C-130 Hercules
Operator:
Registration:
N9248R
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Wright Patterson – McGuire – Dover
MSN:
4221
YOM:
1967
Location:
McGuire AFB (Fort Dix)
New Jersey
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
16586
Captain / Total hours on type:
11735.00
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a cargo flight from Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio, to Dover AFB, Delaware, with an intermediate stop at McGuire AFB, New Jersey, on behalf of the US Air Force. On final approach, the crew encountered low visibility due to fog. While transiting from IFR to VFR on short final, the airplane went out of control, struck the ground and crashed 5,470 feet short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and all three crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Improper IFR operation on part of the pilot-in-command who suffered a spatial disorientation on final approach. The following factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Instruments-misread or failed to read,
- Company dispatch,
- Weather slightly worse than forecast,
- The crew was disoriented by lite glare,
- Fog during transition from IFR to VFR.
Final Report:

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

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 500
Operator:
Registration:
N701X
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Dubois – Roanoke
MSN:
500-916-3
YOM:
1960
Location:
Mahaffey
Pennsylvania
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:
10000
Captain / Total hours on type:
800.00
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Dubois, Pennsylvania, on a private flight to Roanoke, Virginia. En route, one of the engine failed and the pilot reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing in Mahaffey when the airplane went out of control and crashed in an open field. Both occupants, the racer Curtis Turner aged 46 and the passenger, the golfer Clarence King, were killed.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. It was reported that at the time of the accident, the pilot was intoxicated and under influence of alcohol and was unable to maintain flying speed due to physical impairment. The following factors were reported:
- Alcoholic impairment of efficiency and judgment (the pilot blood alcohol level was 1,7 ‰),
- Evidence shows that the passenger suffered a severe heart attack prior to the accident.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Turbo Commander 680T off Pompano Beach

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Turbo Commander 680/681
Operator:
Baldwinsville Building Supply Company
Registration:
N541W
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Pompano Beach – Fort Lauderdale
MSN:
680-1554-13
YOM:
1965
Location:
Pompano Beach
Florida
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:
2200
Captain / Total hours on type:
50.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Pompano Beach Airport, while in initial climb, the airplane went out of control, lost height and crashed into the sea few hundred yards off shore. The pilot was seriously injured while the aircraft sank and was lost.
Probable cause:
Failure of both engines during initial climb for undetermined reason.
Final Report:

Crash of a Martin 404 near Silver Plume: 32 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Martin 404
Operator:
Golden Eagle Aviation - USA
Registration:
N464M
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Wichita - Denver - Logan
MSN:
14151
YOM:
1952
Flight number:
GE108
Location:
Silver Plume
Colorado
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
37
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
32
Captain / Total flying hours:
2452
Captain / Total hours on type:
123.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4500
Copilot / Total hours on type:
30
Circumstances:
The airplane was chartered by the Wichita State University football team for a special flight from Wichita to Logan with an intermediate stop in Denver, carrying players and supporters. After departure from Denver-Stapleton Airport, the crew went off course and followed a wrong track. While cruising at an altitude of 10,800 feet, the airplane struck trees and crashed on the slope of Mt Trelease (12,447 feet high) located about 10,6 miles west of Silver Plume. Two crew members and 30 passengers were killed while eight other occupants were seriously injured. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
The intentional operation of the aircraft over a mountain valley route at an altitude from which the aircraft could neither climb over the obstructing terrain ahead, nor execute a successful course reversal. Significant factors were the overloaded condition of the aircraft, the virtual absence of flight planning for the chosen route of flight from Denver to Logan, a lack of understanding on the part of the crew of the performance capabilities and limitations of the aircraft, and the lack of operational management to monitor and appropriately control the actions of the flightcrew.
Final Report:
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