Crash of a Yakovlev Yak-40 in Vologda: 3 killed

Date & Time: Nov 16, 1979 at 1841 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-87454
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Veliky Ustyug - Vologda
MSN:
9 43 11 36
YOM:
1974
Flight number:
SU564
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a ferry flight from Veliky Ustyug to Vologda and initiated the descent by night and poor weather conditions with fog and reduced visibility. On short final, the aircraft passed below the glide and at a height of 20 meters, it struck trees and crashed in flames in a wooded area located short of runway threshold. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and three crew members were killed while two others were seriously injured. At the time of the accident, the visibility was 700 meters, well below minimums, but the crew was informed about a visibility of 1,500 meters.
Probable cause:
It was determined that people at Vologda Airport (ATC, meteo,...) falsified weather bulletins to allow certain aircraft to land. The crew was also blamed to let the aircraft descending below the glide without any visual contact with the runway lights.

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680E in Quesnel

Date & Time: Oct 16, 1979
Registration:
C-GFAC
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
680-0837-68
YOM:
1959
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The pilot encountered technical problems and decided to attempt an emergency landing in Quesnel. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair while the pilot, sole on board, was uninjured.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500 in the Atlantic Ocean: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 4, 1979
Operator:
Registration:
N3815C
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Andros Town – West Palm Beach
MSN:
500-771
YOM:
1959
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
623
Captain / Total hours on type:
102.00
Circumstances:
While in cruising flight between Andros Town and West Palm Beach, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions when the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in the Florida Strait. SAR operations were initiated but no trace of the aircraft nor the pilot was found. The wreckage was not recovered.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined. The following findings were reported:
- Thunderstorm activity in the area,
- The pilot reported heavy thunderstorm activity over the ocean.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon in Rainy Pass: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 24, 1979
Operator:
Registration:
N6405H
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Anchorage - Galena
MSN:
207-0512
YOM:
1979
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
1500
Captain / Total hours on type:
150.00
Circumstances:
En route from Anchorage to Galena, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with low ceiling. Lost and disoriented, he flew into a blind canyon when he saw high obstructions. While initiating an evasive maneuver to avoid collision, he made a steep turn to the left when the aircraft struck the ground and crashed in flames in a mountainous terrain located about 125 miles northwest from the city of Anchorage. As the airplane failed to arrive at destination, SAR operations were initiated but eventually abandoned few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the pilot was found. On September 2, 1980, the burnt wreckage was found near Rainy Pass.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain after the pilot became lost and disoriented. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions,
- The pilot misjudged distance, speed, altitude or clearance,
- Low ceiling,
- High obstructions,
- The pilot flew into blind canyon,
- Evasive maneuver to avoid collision,
- In-flight steep left turn,
- Recovery date September 2, 1980.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45H Expeditor in Hastings: 4 killed

Date & Time: Sep 15, 1979 at 0204 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N600NA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Baltimore - Grand Rapids
MSN:
AF-726
YOM:
1954
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
4902
Captain / Total hours on type:
430.00
Circumstances:
While approaching Grand Rapids-Gerald R. Ford Airport on a ferry flight from Baltimore, the twin engine airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in an open field located in Hastings, about 18,5 miles southeast of the destination airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed, debris scattered on a wide area and all four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
In-flight fire or explosion on approach and subsequent uncontrolled descent after the air condition, heating and pressurization system failed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Material failure,
- Fire in brakes, wheel assembly and wheel well,
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection,
- Smoke in cockpit,
- Pilot fatigue,
- No log book entries for heater, Southwind model 853A, operation or required inspections/overhauls.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed 18-56-23 LodeStar in Brunswick

Date & Time: Jul 24, 1979 at 1600 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N33LM
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Rockmart - Brunswick
MSN:
2341
YOM:
1943
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
11500
Captain / Total hours on type:
85.00
Circumstances:
Upon landing at Brunswick-Glynco Jetport Airport, the twin engine airplane bounced. The gear collapsed and the airplane went out of control and came to rest on its belly. All three occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Ground loop/swerve and subsequent gear collapsed upon landing due to improper recovery from bounced landing and improper operation of brakes and flight controls. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Overload failure,
- Pilot-in-command previously held commercial mel and agricultural operator certificates.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-50-DK off Honolulu: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 20, 1979 at 1930 LT
Registration:
N63250
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
San Jose - Honolulu
MSN:
17062/34329
YOM:
1945
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
8000
Circumstances:
While approaching Honolulu on a ferry flight from San jose, California, the crew declared an emergency via an auxiliary emergency system that all communication and navigation systems failed. Few minutes later, the airplane crashed into the ocean off Honolulu. SAR operations were initiated but eventually abandoned few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the two crew members was found.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure in flight following a fuel exhaustion. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The crew became lost/disoriented,
- Failure of the communications and navigations equipment,
- Failure of the Loran receiver,
- Communications failure,
- Failure of both engines,
- Forced landing off airport on water,
- Aircraft not recovered,
- Pilot reported HF radio and Loran inoperative,
- Lost,
- No fuel.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3-313 near Belle Glade

Date & Time: Jul 13, 1979 at 1515 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N21782
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Saint Louis - Boca Raton
MSN:
2170
YOM:
1939
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2500
Captain / Total hours on type:
525.00
Circumstances:
En route from Saint Louis to Boca Raton, both engines failed. The crew declared an emergency, reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing near Belle Glade. After touchdown, the airplane struck high vegetation then nosed down and crashed. Both pilots escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of both engines in flight due to fuel exhaustion. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Micalculated fuel consumption,
- Fuel exhaustion,
- Improper alignment/adjustment of the fuel quantity gauge,
- High vegetation,
- Complete failure of both engines,
- Forced landing off airport on land.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Dayton

Date & Time: Jul 11, 1979 at 1425 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N136C
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Cleveland - Saint Louis
MSN:
BA-79
YOM:
1955
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1850
Captain / Total hours on type:
773.00
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was completing a ferry flight from Cleveland to Saint Louis. While in normal cruise, he encountered engine problems, informed ATC and was vectored to Dayton-Wilbur Wright Field. On final approach, the airplane was too low, struck power cables and crashed. The pilot was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Engine failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot misused or failed to use flaps,
- Complete failure of one engine.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500 off Treasure Cay

Date & Time: May 17, 1979 at 1715 LT
Registration:
N3836C
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Treasure Cay - Andros Town
MSN:
500-756
YOM:
1959
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3770
Captain / Total hours on type:
1077.00
Circumstances:
During initial climb at Treasure Cay Airport, one of the engine failed. Unable to maintain a positive rate of climb, the airplane struck trees and lost height. The pilot decided to ditch the airplane into the sea, less than two km northeast of the airfield. The pilot was slightly injured and the airplane was lost.
Probable cause:
Engine failure during initial climb and subsequent ditching for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Complete engine failure,
- Hit trees near runway after engine failure.
Final Report: