Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680 in Oklahoma City: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 28, 1978 at 1745 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Kenneth L. McMillin
Registration:
N6818S
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Oklahoma City - El Reno
MSN:
680-324-18
YOM:
1956
Location:
Oklahoma City-Clarence E. Page
Oklahoma
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
2155
Captain / Total hours on type:
400.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Oklahoma City-Clarence E. Page Airport, while climbing, the copilot declared an emergency following an engine failure and was cleared to return. The airplane lost height and while attempting an emergency landing, the crew lost control of the airplane that crashed few miles from the airfield. A pilot was killed while the second occupant was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Stall on final approach due to engine failure caused by the failure of master and connecting rods. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fatigue fracture,
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Failed to retract landing gear,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment,
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection,
- Partial loss of power one engine,
- Complete engine failure one engine,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Conrod failed on left engine,
- Pilot aware of 800-1,000 rpm magneto drop on right engine,
- Flaps and gears down,
- Aircraft unairworthy.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402 in North Bay: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 28, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
Registration:
C-FAUK
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Location:
North Bay
Ontario
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
On final approach to North Bay Airport by night, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed in a wooded area located 1,6 km short of runway. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Crash of a Convair CV-240-8 in Clewiston: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 4, 1978 at 1130 LT
Type of aircraft:
Convair CV-240
Operator:
Mission Air Lift
Registration:
N7177B
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Clewiston - St Petersburg
MSN:
38
YOM:
1949
Location:
Clewiston
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:
2
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Clewiston Airport, on a positioning flight to St Petersburg, the crew reported engine problems and elected to return for an emergency landing when the airplane went out of control and crashed in flames near the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled collision with ground during initial climb due to engine failure. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Water in fuel,
- lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Poor judgment on part of the pilot-in-command,
- The pilot was not type rated in Convair 240.
- ELT not found.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-6B in Fanja: 4 killed

Date & Time: Aug 27, 1978 at 2210 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-6
Operator:
New World Air Charter
Registration:
N122A
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Muscat - Larnaca
MSN:
45327/819
YOM:
1957
Location:
Fanja
Ad Dakhiliyah Governorate
Country:
Oman
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew just completed a cargo flight from Larnaca to Muscat and was flying back home. After a night takeoff from runway 26 at Muscat-Seeb Airport, at a height of 1,000 feet, the crew was cleared to climb to an altitude of 12,000 feet when the pilot-in-command initiated a 40° left turn. About three minutes after takeoff, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Hameem located near Fanja, about 20 km southwest of Muscat Airport. The airplane disintegrated on impact and all four crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
For unknown reasons, the crew initiated a left turn after takeoff from runway 26 instead of a right turn as in the published procedures.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in East Hampton

Date & Time: Aug 7, 1978 at 0033 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
Operator:
Registration:
N9093Y
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Elmira - East Hampton
MSN:
31-128
YOM:
1968
Location:
East Hampton
New York
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:
2507
Captain / Total hours on type:
150.00
Circumstances:
The crew was approaching East Hampton Airport and encountered marginal weather conditions with limited visibility to 3/4 of mile due to the night and ground fog. While in a missed approach configuration, the crew lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed few miles from the airfield. Both occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Stall during a missed approach after the crew failed to maintain flying speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fog,
- Sky obscured,
- Visibility 3/4 mile or less,
- Pilot transitioned from visual reference to instrument reference,
- Encountered ground fog after MDA.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45G Expeditor into Lake Elsinore: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 11, 1978 at 1505 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
Operator:
Registration:
N63H
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Lake Elsinore - Chino
MSN:
AF-344
YOM:
1953
Location:
Lake Elsinore-Skylark Field
California
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:
1800
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Lake Elsinore-Skylark Field, while climbing, the airplane suffered an engine failure. It lost height and crashed into Lake Elsinore, few hundred yards offshore. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Stall and crash during initial climb following an engine failure for undetermined reasons and because the pilot failed to follow approved procedures.
Final Report:

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-21 Islander in San José

Date & Time: Apr 11, 1978 at 2042 LT
Type of aircraft:
Britten-Norman Islander
Operator:
Registration:
N97JA
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Long Beach - San José
MSN:
447
YOM:
1975
Location:
San Jose-Reid-Hillview
California
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:
12000
Captain / Total hours on type:
24.00
Aircraft flight hours:
1226
Circumstances:
On final approach to San José-Reid-Hillview Airport, both engines failed. The airplane lost height, struck power cables and crashed. The pilot was seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure on final approach and subsequent collision with wires due to fuel starvation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Aircraft equipped with ferry tanks.
Final Report:

Crash of a Dornier DO.28D-1 Skyservant in Bethel: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 2, 1978 at 1626 LT
Type of aircraft:
Dornier DO.28D Skyservant
Operator:
Registration:
N21AS
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Bethel - Kuskokwim River
MSN:
4004
YOM:
1968
Location:
Bethel
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:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
1157
Captain / Total hours on type:
175.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Bethel, en route to Kuskokwim River, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and elected to return. On final, the airplane went out of control and crashed. Both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled collision with ground on final approach due to poor/inadequate design on part of the production design personnel.
Final Report:

Crash of a Britten Norman BN-2A Islander in Landsborough

Date & Time: Mar 30, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Britten-Norman Islander
Operator:
Unionair
Registration:
VH-EQK
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Toowoomba – Landsborough
MSN:
146
YOM:
1970
Location:
Landsborough
Queensland
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On approach to Landsborough Airfield, the twin engine airplane slipped between trees and power lines and ploughed into a swampy ground. Both pilots were slightly injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Beechcraft A65-8200 Queen Air near Angmagssalik: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 17, 1978 at 2215 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 65 Queen Air
Operator:
Vernair Transport
Registration:
N8431N
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Washington D.C. – Sondreströmfjord – Reykjavik – Liverpool
MSN:
LC-307
YOM:
1969
Location:
Angmagssalik (Tasiilaq)
Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq
Country:
Greenland
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a ferry flight from Washington DC to Liverpool, UK, with intermediate stops in Sondreströmfjord and Reykjavik. On the leg between Greenland and Iceland, the crew encountered icing conditions and declared an emergency after the right engine failed. He was vectored to Kulusuk Airport which is a VFR Airfield located on the southeast coast of Greenland, near the city of Angmagssalik (Tasiilaq) and open to traffic by day only. An hour later, the crew started the descent but due to a limited visibility caused by night and clouds, he was unable to locate the runway and initiated a go-around. About 45 minutes later, while descending to an altitude of 1,700 feet, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located near Angmagssalik. The airplane was destroyed upon impact and both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain while attempting an approach below weather minimums. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was descending to an altitude of 1,700 feet while the minimum safe altitude for that area was 3,500 feet.
Final Report:
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