Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560A in Pavilion: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 21, 1979 at 0905 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N2748B
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Pavilion - Pavilion
MSN:
560-0248
YOM:
1955
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
4405
Captain / Total hours on type:
217.00
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was taking part to a local air show when, flying at low height, the airplane banked right and crashed following the failure of the right engine. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure and subsequent stall after the left engine failed due to valve assemblies failure. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Material failure,
- The pilot failed to maintain flying speed,
- High vegetation,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Exhaust valve, second cylinder on right engine failed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 60 Duke near Jackson: 8 killed

Date & Time: Nov 6, 1978 at 2046 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N135D
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Montgomery - Tulsa
MSN:
P-7
YOM:
1968
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Captain / Total flying hours:
2000
Captain / Total hours on type:
60.00
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft was completing a demo flight from Montgomery, Alabama, to Tulsa, Oklahoma, carrying seven passengers and a pilot. While cruising at an altitude of 14,000 feet in icing conditions, the pilot informed ATC about an engine failure and was cleared to divert to Jackson-Municipal Airport. On descent, the aircraft went out of control and crashed few miles from Jackson Airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all eight occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled collision with ground on final approach due to powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Diverted attention from operation of aircraft,
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Icing conditions including sleet, freezing rain,
- Fog,
- Complete failure on one engine,
- Weather briefing included freezing level 13,000 to 15,000 feet,
- Cruising altitude 14,000 feet.
Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman CS2F-1 Tracker in Castlegar: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 25, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
C-GHQZ
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Castlegar - Castlegar
MSN:
036
YOM:
1957
Flight number:
Tanker 63
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot was performing a demo flight at Castlegar Airport when the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Crash of a Grumman G-21A Goose in Miami Lakes

Date & Time: Dec 13, 1977 at 1315 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N23DF
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Miami - Miami
MSN:
1133
YOM:
1942
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
4985
Captain / Total hours on type:
935.00
Circumstances:
While completing a local demo flight at Miami-Opa Locka Airport, both engines failed. The pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed onto several houses in Miami Lakes, west of the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Engine failure during traffic pattern/circling and subsequent collision with buildings due to mismanagement of fuel. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inattentive to fuel supply,
- Fuel starvation,
- Failed to use the checklist,
- Failure of both engines,
- 70 gallons of fuel in right tank,
- Left tank empty.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 441 Conquest II in Demopolis: 7 killed

Date & Time: Nov 15, 1977 at 1811 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N9971G
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Birmingham - Mobile
MSN:
441-0006
YOM:
1977
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Captain / Total flying hours:
1967
Captain / Total hours on type:
16.00
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Birmingham with one pilot and six potential customers on board for a demonstration flight to Mobile. While in normal cruise, the airplane suffered a complete in-flight breakup, dove into the ground and crashed near Demopolis. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all seven occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Airframe failure in flight due to poor/inadequate design. The following findings were reported:
- Flight control systems: elevator and elevator tab control system,
- Flutter,
- Flight control surfaces: elevator assembly, attachments,
- Separation in flight.
Final Report:

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A Trislander III-2 in Lanseria

Date & Time: Oct 8, 1977
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
ZS-JYF
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Lanseria - Lanseria
MSN:
1031
YOM:
1976
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was taking part to a demo flight on an airshow at Lanseria Airport. On approach, the pilot-in-command made a sharp turn to the left and descended to the runway when the airplane, too low, struck the runway surface. The undercarriage were torn off as well as the right engine. The aircraft went out of control and crash landed in a grassy area adjacent to the runway. Both occupants were slightly injured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Pilatus PC-6/C-H2 Turbo Porter in Oklahoma City: 5 killed

Date & Time: Oct 5, 1977 at 0913 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N331V
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Oklahoma City - Oklahoma City
MSN:
2002
YOM:
1967
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
20450
Captain / Total hours on type:
330.00
Circumstances:
Just after liftoff, while in initial climb, the single engine airplane lost speed and height and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants who were taking part to a demonstration flight were killed.
Probable cause:
Stall during initial climb due to improper operation of powerplant controls on part of the pilot. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Engine power lever found aft the prop reverse position with finger lift raised above beta detent.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-325 Navajo in Anthony: 6 killed

Date & Time: Feb 11, 1977 at 1656 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N59838
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Aspen - Tulsa
MSN:
31-7612047
YOM:
1976
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
2880
Circumstances:
while in cruising altitude in IFR weather conditions, the pilot lost control of the airplane that entered a dive. Both wings, engines and fuselage separated during the descent and the aircraft crashed in an open field. All six occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Airframe failure in flight and uncontrolled descent after exceeded designed stress limits of aircraft. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Wings: spars,
- Fuselage: Other,
- Overload failure,
- Separation in flight,
- Snow,
- Attempted operation beyond experience/ability level,
- Control lost for undetermined reason,
- Pilot not multi-engine rated.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver in Arauca

Date & Time: Jun 28, 1976
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-84
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Arauca - Arauca
MSN:
61
YOM:
1949
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local demo flight at Arauca-Santiago Pérez Quiroz Airport. While flying at low height, the single engine airplane went out of control and crashed by the runway. Both occupants were injured.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 in Monze: 9 killed

Date & Time: May 4, 1976
Operator:
Registration:
C-GDHA
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Monze - Monze
MSN:
428
YOM:
1974
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
De Havilland Aircraft of Canada dispatched an aircraft in Africa to complete demo flights to potential customers. In Monze, the crew was engaged in a local demo flight for the Zambian Air Force, carrying several Zambian AF Officers and DH employees. Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the right engine failed. The airplane stalled and crashed one km from the runway end. A Canadian pilot who was not flying, Christian Jolivet, was severely burnt and a Zambian military personnel survived. All nine other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine during initial climb.