Crash of a Rockwell 500S Shrike Commander in Mueda: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 29, 1974
Operator:
Registration:
CR-AOC
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Porto Amélia - Mueda
MSN:
500-3136
YOM:
1972
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
On final approach to Mueda Airstrip by night, the twin engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and the pilot, sole on board, was killed. He was completing a ferry flight from Porto Amélia and the aircraft was operated by Empresa de Transportes Aéreos de Porto Amélia (ETAPA).

Crash of an Antonov AN-24B in Rostov-on-Don: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jan 25, 1974 at 2142 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-46277
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Rostov-on-Don - Ufa
MSN:
77303610
YOM:
1967
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Aircraft flight hours:
11277
Aircraft flight cycles:
10750
Circumstances:
Following a heavy maintenance program at the Rostov-on-Don Manufacture Plant, the aircraft was on its way back to Ufa, carrying a crew of four. The departure from Rostov Airport was initiated at night and poor visibility due to thick fog. After a normal takeoff roll, the pilot-in-command started the rotation at a speed of 200 km/h and continued to climb in zero visibility. At an altitude of about 220 meters, a first turn to the left was initiated when the airplane rolled left to an angle of 25-30°. At a speed of 325 km/h, flaps were selected up when inconsistent actions occurred between the PIC and the copilot. The copilot elected to reduce the roll to acceptable values, as a result, the rudder trim was positioned to the right hand limit but the airplane seems to become unstable. At this time, the crew reduced the engine operation to nominal values when the noticed a discrepancy between the readings of the left and right artificial horizons. The crew tried to determine which artificial horizon gives the wrong readings when the airplane entered a left turn and crashed at a speed of 430 km/h in an open field located 1,750 meters past the runway end, 17 seconds after liftoff. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the loss of control that occurred during initial climb was the result of an anomaly in the Captain's artificial horizon, either because of a misreading on his part or because of a problem with the power supply system. Investigators stated that the accident occurred through visibility below minimums and that the crew's decision to fly by night under such conditions was unjustified. Also, it was noted that the crew failed to prepare the flight according to published procedures and that he precipitated the departure, which remains a contributing factor insofar as certain procedures were neglected.

Crash of a Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I in Tulsa

Date & Time: Jan 11, 1974 at 1754 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N4005L
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tulsa - San Antonio
MSN:
421A-0005
YOM:
1967
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2305
Captain / Total hours on type:
121.00
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Tulsa Airport on an runway covered by slush, the pilot started the rotation prematurely. The airplane climbed a few feet then stalled and crashed back onto the runway. Out of control, it veered off runway and came to rest. Both occupants were slightly injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine malfunction during takeoff run and initial climb. The following factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Premature liftoff,
- Failed to obtain flying speed,
- Disregard of good operating practice,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Ice/slush on runway,
- Partial loss of power on one engine,
- Engines check ok prior to takeoff,
- No full power runup due to ice on runway,
- Rotated below VNC,
- Observers heard engine backfire.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed L-414-08-10 Hudson IV on Horn Island

Date & Time: Dec 22, 1973
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VH-AGX
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
6051
YOM:
1942
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll, al loss of hydraulic pressure forced the crew to abort. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the twin engine airplane overran and came to rest against an embankment. Both pilots were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Photos via www.aussieairliners.org

Crash of a Convair CV-990-30A-5 Coronado in Agana

Date & Time: Sep 10, 1973 at 1616 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N7876
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Jakarta - Agana - Moffett
MSN:
30-10-4
YOM:
1963
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
13000
Captain / Total hours on type:
1621.00
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a ferry flight from Jakarta to Moffett AFB with an intermediate stop in Agana. On approach, the crew was informed by ATC about poor weather at destination with thunderstorm activity, strong crosswinds and heavy rain falls. The airplane landed 500 meters past the runway threshold then became uncontrollable. It veered off runway to the left then collided with various obstacles and came to rest. All four crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Improper in-flight decisions on part of the pilot-in-command. The following factors were reported:
- Turbulence associated with clouds and thunderstorms,
- Overload failure,
- No weather briefing received,
- Wind gusting up to 20 knots,
- Agana Tower advised the crew about large storm passing over the approach course.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lisunov LI-2 near Sovetsk: 7 killed

Date & Time: Sep 7, 1973 at 1105 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-48982
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Kotlas - Voronezh
MSN:
2 34 437 07
YOM:
1953
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Aircraft flight hours:
10761
Circumstances:
The airplane was completing a ferry flight from Kotlas to Voronezh with two passengers and a crew of five on board. The flight was operated at an altitude of 1,500 meters from Kotlas to Kirov and after passing Kirov, the crew was cleared to climb to 1,800 meters. At 1056, the crew was instructed for heading 219° when nine minutes later, the airplane entered a dive and crashed in an uninhabited area located northwest of Sovetsk. The wreckage was found in the afternoon. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all seven occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the aircraft became uncontrollable after it encountered severe turbulences while cruising in thunderstorm activity. Investigations revealed that the crew has not been informed about the possible presence of thunderstorms as the main weather radar of the local meteorologist was out of service due to maintenance.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Dove in Moses Lake

Date & Time: May 15, 1973 at 1030 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N4041B
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Moses Lake - Twin Falls
MSN:
04385
YOM:
1953
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2795
Captain / Total hours on type:
15.00
Circumstances:
During the takeoff run, at V1 speed, the crew started the rotation when the left engine lost power. The captain elected to abandon the takeoff procedure but following a lack of coordination and poor experience, the crew lost control of the aircraft that veered off runway and came to rest. Both pilots were uninjured while the aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reason. The following factors were reported:
- The crew failed to maintain flying speed,
- The crew failed to follow the approved procedures,
- Misused of flaps,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Left engine lost power,
- Pilot continued the takeoff and did not feathered the propeller,
- Flaps were retracted.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560A in Midway

Date & Time: Apr 4, 1973 at 1600 LT
Registration:
N2668B
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tulsa - Jacksonville
MSN:
560A-382
YOM:
1956
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
4740
Captain / Total hours on type:
85.00
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude on a flight from Tulsa to Jacksonville, both engines failed simultaneously. The pilot informed ATC about the situation and he reduced his altitude to attempt an emergency landing. The twin engine airplane struck trees then crashed near Midway. Both occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure in flight caused by a fuel exhaustion. The following factors were reported:
- Fuel on board 156 gallons,
- In flight for 3 hours and 30 minutes,
- Cause of fuel exhaustion could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation in Miami

Date & Time: Apr 3, 1973 at 1420 LT
Registration:
N6906C
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Miami - Miami
MSN:
4020
YOM:
1952
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While taxiing at Miami-Intl Airport, the right main gear collapsed and the airplane came to a halt. All three crew members evacuated safely while the aircraft was later considered as damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right main gear due to hydraulic leak and material failure. The downlock mechanism failed to prevent the right gear from retract after hydraulic pressure loss for undetermined reason.
Final Report:

Crash of an Antonov AN-2 near Lake Khattavtur: 3 killed

Date & Time: Mar 9, 1973 at 1325 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-01262
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Yelushkino – Kondinskoye
MSN:
1 71 473 16
YOM:
1957
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Aircraft flight hours:
12736
Circumstances:
After eight workers have been dropped off in Yelushkino, the crew was returning to Kondinskoye with one passenger, the Director of Kondinskoye Airport. En route, the crew initiated hazardous manoeuvres and lost control of the airplane that nosed down to an angle of 90° and crashed in a snow covered field located southeast of Lake Khattavtur, about 57 km west of Kondinskoye. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed. Blood analysis revealed an alcohol level of 0,8‰ with the copilot and 3,4‰ with the captain.
Probable cause:
Loss of control while the crew was intoxicated.