Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A Islander into the Atlantic Ocean

Date & Time: Oct 7, 1971 at 1740 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N857JA
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
San Juan - Cockburn Harbour
MSN:
92
YOM:
1969
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
4000
Captain / Total hours on type:
300.00
Circumstances:
The pilot departed San Juan-Isla Grande Airport with deficiencies with the radio navigation equipment. En route, he lost his orientation and became lost. He ditched the plane in the Atlantic Ocean and was quickly rescued by the crew of a ship. The aircraft sank and was lost.
Probable cause:
The pilot attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment. The following factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions or planning,
- Pilot knew that the radio navigation equipment was malfunctioning.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3-228C off Saint Martin

Date & Time: Oct 2, 1971 at 1310 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N1981W
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Christiansted - Sint Maarten
MSN:
2232
YOM:
1940
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5253
Captain / Total hours on type:
131.00
Circumstances:
The crew started the descent to Sint Maarten Island when he declared an emergency as both engines failed simultaneously. The captain elected to ditch the aircraft some 32 km offshore. All three occupants were quickly rescued by coast guards while the airplane sank and was lost.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure caused by a fuel starvation. The cause of the fuel starvation was undetermined.
Final Report:

Crash of an Antonov AN-12B in Calcutta

Date & Time: Jul 29, 1971 at 1458 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-12993
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Raipur – Calcutta
MSN:
00 347 307
YOM:
1970
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was returning to Calcutta-Dum Dum on a ferry flight from Raipur. En route, he was informed that weather conditions worsened in Calcutta with a visibility limited to 2 km. While descending to an altitude of 1,830 meters, the wind component changed and the crew was vectored for an approach to runway 01R which was not equipped with an ILS system. On final approach, while at a distance of 4 km from the airfield, the airplane went through a low pressure area with heavy rain falls. At a distance of 900 meters from the runway threshold, at an altitude of 40/50 meters, the visibility dropped to zero due to torrential rains. ATC informed the crew about the minimums and the navigator advised the captain to initiate a go-around manoeuvre. But the captain continued the descent and passed below the glide until the aircraft struck the ground 198 meters short of runway threshold and 20 meters to the left of the centerline. It slid for several yards and came to rest in a swampy area. All seven crew members were rescued while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The airplane entered an area of heavy rains falls, reducing the visibility to zero. In a very short time, the crew lost visual contact with the runway and all visual references with the ground as well, causing the aircraft to pass below the glide and to struck the ground. For unknown reason, the captain failed to initiate a go-around manoeuvre and ignored the different warnings from ATC and his crew. The fact that the crew was not aware about the non precision approach procedures for runway 01R remained a contributing factor.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-10-DK in Windsor Locks

Date & Time: Jul 16, 1971 at 1521 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N74844
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Windsor Locks - Beverly
MSN:
15013/26458
YOM:
1944
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
8194
Captain / Total hours on type:
570.00
Circumstances:
The crew departed Windsor Locks-Bradley Airport on a ferry flight to Beverly for a maintenance check. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, one of the engine lost power and the crew was cleared to return for an emergency landing. On approach, the airplane crash landed few dozen yards short of runway and came to rest in flames. The airplane was damaged beyond repair and all three occupants escaped uninjured.
Probable cause:
Inadequate preflight preparation. The following factors were reported:
- Water in fuel,
- The crew failed to maintain flying speed,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Partial loss of power on one engine,
- The aircraft had not flown for about 10 months,
- The pilot was not rated on type, last flew DC-3 in 1967.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500B off North Madison: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 15, 1971 at 1415 LT
Registration:
N707CA
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Ashtabula - Cleveland
MSN:
500-1143-79
YOM:
1962
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
2650
Captain / Total hours on type:
250.00
Circumstances:
While flying along the coast of Ohio, the pilot encountered technical problems with the right engine. He decided to shut it down and to feather its propeller but mistakenly shut down the left engine. The airplane lost speed then entered a dive and crashed into Lake Erie off North Madison. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right magneto in flight. The following factors were reported:
- Improper maintenance (maintenance personnel), servicing and inspection,
- Improper operation of powerplant and powerplant controls,
- The pilot feathered the wrong engine,
- Failure of both engines,
- Wrong cap screws to secure the right engine magnetos,
- Inadvertent feathering of left propeller in flight, left engine found operable.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560 in Hibbing

Date & Time: May 19, 1971 at 1525 LT
Registration:
N445TK
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Chicago - International Falls
MSN:
560-209
YOM:
1955
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1983
Captain / Total hours on type:
100.00
Circumstances:
En route from Chicago to International Falls, while in cruising altitude, the crew encountered poor weather with icing conditions. The pilot-in-command was cleared to divert to the nearest airport and started to descend. On approach to Hibbing-Chisholm Airport, the crew did not land but initiated a go-around. After passing over the runway end, control was lost and the airplane crashed in a field. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the crew. The following factors were reported:
- Rain, snow and icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain,
- Airframe ice,
- Adverse/unfavorable weather conditions,
- Icing conditions forecasted,
- No de-icing equipment on aircraft,
- First approach missed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 411 in Teterboro: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 19, 1971 at 1221 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N7386U
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Teterboro - Elmira
MSN:
411-0086
YOM:
1965
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
6450
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Teterboro Airport, while in initial climb, the pilot lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed in a huge explosion near the runway end. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent after takeoff following a powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following factors were reported:
- The pilot failed to obtain/maintain flying speed,
- The pilot failed to follow the approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Complete engine failure on one engine,
- No engine malfunction found,
- Possibly insufficient warm up time,
- The pilot did not maintain single engine speed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S off Manitou Beach: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 27, 1970 at 0045 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N332R
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Rockford - Detroit
MSN:
A-8
YOM:
1945
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
3050
Captain / Total hours on type:
1200.00
Circumstances:
The pilot and his passenger departed Rockford in the early morning and completed several flights in the region all along the day. While cruising by night over Lake Michigan, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed into the lake off Manitou Beach. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control in flight after the pilot became lost/disoriented. The following factors were considered as contributing:
- Physical impairment,
- Pilot fatigue,
- Departed Rockford approximately 18 hours prior to the accident,
- Flew 10 hours during the day,
- Attended copilot picnic observed with can beer,
- Toxicologic not decisive.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-7CF in Abidjan

Date & Time: Jul 26, 1970 at 1445 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VR-BCT
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Kinshasa – Abidjan – Dakar – Agadir – Basel – Liverpool
MSN:
44875/668
YOM:
1956
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a ferry flight from Kinshasa to Liverpool with several intermediate stops in Abidjan, Dakar, Agadir and Basel. The purpose of the flight was for maintenance as the n°4 engine was inoperative. En route, while cruising on the three remaining engines, the crew informed ATC that the engine n°3 caught fire. While descending to an altitude of 6,000 feet, the engine n°3 exploded and detached. The crew continued the approach but was unable to lower the undercarriage. A belly landing was completed at Abidjan Airport and the airplane slid on several dozen meters before coming to rest. All four crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Fire and explosion on engine n°3 which detached in flight.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Dove 6BA in Morris

Date & Time: Apr 16, 1970 at 1210 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N420D
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Morris - DuPage
MSN:
04414
YOM:
1953
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
11645
Captain / Total hours on type:
234.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Morris Airport, while in initial climb, the pilot informed ATC about an engine failure and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. On final, the airplane stalled and crashed in a field located short of runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reason. The following factors were considered as contributing:
- The pilot-in-command failed to follow the approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Complete failure on one engine,
- Propeller not feathered,
- Flaps 20°, landing gear extended.
Final Report: