Region
North America
code

USA

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Riley Dove in Kalaupapa

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.104 Dove
Operator:
Sky Tours Hawaii
Registration:
N669R
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Honolulu – Kalaupapa – Kaanapali
MSN:
04388
YOM:
1953
Location:
Kalaupapa
Hawaii
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
6559
Captain / Total hours on type:
567.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Kalaupapa in good weather conditions, the crew failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the airplane struck the ground 38 feet short of runway threshold. On impact, the undercarriage were torn off and the airplane came to rest on its belly. All 13 occupants were injured, four of them seriously. The aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
The pilot-in-command misjudged the distance and altitude during the last segment of the flight and failed to initiate a go-around. The following factors were reported:
- Downdrafts, updrafts,
- Overload failure,
- Wind gusting up to 20 knots.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Madison: 1 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft D18
Operator:
Central Air Freight
Registration:
N106H
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Madison - Madison
MSN:
A-526
YOM:
1950
Location:
Madison
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:
395
Captain / Total hours on type:
8.00
Circumstances:
The pilot was completing a night training mission at Madison Airport and was flying since three hours when, after landing, he increased power and started a new takeoff. During initial climb, the airplane banked left then stalled and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control during initial climb due to partial loss of power on one engine. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot,
- Physical impairment,
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Pilot fatigue,
- Fuel starvation,
- The pilot failed to maintain flying speed,
- Partial loss of power on one engine,
- The pilot completed 2,8 hours of flight on the main fuel tank,
- The aircraft was not refueled prior to the flight.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell 1121 Jet Commander in Rural Retreat: 3 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell 1121 Jet Commander
Operator:
Registration:
N236JP
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
New York-LaGuardia – Johnson City
MSN:
1121-116
YOM:
1967
Location:
Rural Retreat
Virginia
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:
7255
Captain / Total hours on type:
732.00
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude by night over Virginia, the airplane went out of control, entered a dive and crashed in a huge explosion in a field. The wreckage was found a day later and all three occupants were killed. The airplane was totally destroyed upon impact as it struck the ground in a 60° nose-down attitude at high speed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control in flight and uncontrolled descent due to several errors on part of the flying crew. The following findings were reported:
- The pilot-in-command failed to use or incorrectly used miscellaneous equipment,
- The pilot-in-command failed to follow the approved procedures,
- The crew suffered a spatial disorientation,
- Failure of the electrical system: generators/alternators,
- Electrical failure,
- Failure of the flight and navigation instruments,
- IFR alternator failed in flight,
- Loss of pilots flight instruments due to improper crew action in flight.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45J Expeditor in Barrow

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
Operator:
Pan Alaska Airways
Registration:
N437PA
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Fairbanks - Barrow
MSN:
3845
YOM:
1943
Location:
Barrow
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
12020
Captain / Total hours on type:
1141.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Barrow, an engine failed. The crew reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing. The airplane crash landed and slid for dozen yards before coming to rest few hundred yards short of runway threshold. All 10 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure on final approach. The following factors and findings were reported:
- Improper maintenance on part of the maintenance personnel,
- Anti-icing, de-icing system,
- Icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain,
- Engine icing,
- The crew failed to use or incorrectly used the miscellaneous equipment,
- Ice on propeller,
- Airframe ice,
- Complete engine failure,
- Hot air lines to intake air duct loose.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing B-52F-105-BO Stratofortress at Castle AFB

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Boeing B-52 Stratofortress
Operator:
Registration:
57-0041
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Castle - Castle
MSN:
17435
YOM:
1957
Location:
Castle AFB
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On touchdown, the aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest in flames. All six crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Macon: 4 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft D18
Operator:
Registration:
N5000S
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Covington - Douglas
MSN:
A-194
YOM:
1946
Location:
Macon
Georgia
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
15335
Circumstances:
Both engines failed simultaneously in flight. The pilot reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed in flames on a golf course located near Macon. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Both engines failed in normal cruise following the combination of the following factors:
- Improper operation of powerplant and powerplant controls,
- Oil starvation,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Complete failure both engines,
- Fire after impact,
- Oil shut off valve to right engine found partly closed, left engine was closed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed P-2H Neptune at Whidbey Island NAS

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed P-2 Neptune
Operator:
Registration:
140433
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
726-7092
Location:
Whidbey Island NAS (Ault Field)
Washington
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances, apparently on approach to Whidbey Island NAS, maybe another airport in the region of Seattle. Crew fate remains unknown.

Crash of a Douglas DC-8-63CF in Stockton

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-8
Operator:
Registration:
N8634
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Oakland - Stockton - Oakland
MSN:
46021/424
YOM:
1968
Location:
Stockton
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
19308
Captain / Total hours on type:
1747.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4210
Copilot / Total hours on type:
725
Aircraft flight hours:
3441
Circumstances:
The aircraft overran the departure end of runway 29R at Stockton Metropolitan Airport, California, during the performance of a crew training flight. The aircraft struck a roadway thereby collapsing the left main and nose landing gears. The aircraft came to rest 792 feet beyond the end of the runway. The aircraft was destroyed by fire. The five crewmembers aboard were uninjured. The flight was scheduled for use for recurrent training and annual proficiency checks of first officers in DC-8 equipment. The flight originated at the Oakland International Airport (OAK) and was to terminate at OAK. Training maneuvers were to be conducted in the Stockton area, with landing and takeoff practice to be performed at the Stockton Metropolitan Airport. During a touch-and-go landing on Runway 29R at the Stockton Metropolitan Airport, the captain rejected the takeoff because of the sounding of a takeoff warning hob and the activation of a ground spoiler extend light. The crew was not able to stop the aircraft on the remaining runway.
Probable cause:
A false ground spoiler position indication during the takeoff portion of a touch and go landing that induced the captain to discontinue the takeoff at a point too far down the runway to permit him to stop the aircraft on the runway.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed 18-56-23 LodeStar in Golden Gate

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 18 LodeStar
Operator:
Johnston R. Staples
Registration:
N170L
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Miami-Opa Locka – St Petersburg
MSN:
2534
YOM:
1943
Location:
Golden Gate
Florida
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:
31000
Captain / Total hours on type:
2000.00
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a ferry flight from Miami-Opa Locka Airport to a maintenance facility based in St Petersburg. This was the first flight for maintenance. En route, smoke spread in the cockpit and the crew was forced to reduce his altitude and to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in flames in a prairie located in Golden Gate, northeast of Naples.
Probable cause:
In-flight fire and smoke forced the crew to attempt an emergency landing. Fuel leak from undetermined source. Fumes in cabin. The aircraft exploded on ground.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-54D-5-DC Skymaster in Alaska: 4 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-54 Skymaster
Operator:
Registration:
42-72611
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Elmendorf – King Salmon
MSN:
10716
YOM:
1945
Location:
Alaska
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The four engine aircraft disappeared in unknown circumstances while completing a flight from Elmendorf AFB to King Salmon. SAR operations were initiated but eventually abandoned after few weeks as no trace of the aircraft nor the four crew members was found. The wreckage was located in 1972 in an isolated area.
Subscribe to United States of America