Crash of a Cessna T303 Crusader near Pueblo Rico: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jul 5, 1985
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-2961P
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
303-00161
YOM:
1982
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
While cruising in marginal weather conditions, the twin engine airplane struck the slope of Mt La Linea located in the region of Pueblo Rico. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed. They were engaged in an drug smuggling flight.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Cessna 404 Titan near Guayaquil: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 20, 1985
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
HK-2832
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
404-0819
YOM:
1981
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew departed Buenaventura on an illegal flight. In the region of Guayaquil, the aircraft was shot down and crashed. Both occupants were killed.

Crash of a Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601P) in Balmorhea

Date & Time: May 4, 1985 at 2030 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N8083J
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
61-0624-7962138
YOM:
1979
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft was involved in illegal activity when it was intentionally landed in an open pasture. During the landing, the aircraft veered left and struck a 30 inches high concrete culvert. The gear collapsed on contact with the culvert. Unknown personnel subsequently drug the aircraft with a vehicle to a barn. When they attempted to drag the aircraft into the barn, they tore the wings off and damaged the barn.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: on ground/water collision with object
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
1. (f) object - building (nonresidential)
2. (c) ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: complete gear collapsed
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
3. Landing gear - failure, total
4. Landing gear - overload
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Eagle Lake

Date & Time: Mar 25, 1985
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N23L
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
31-76
YOM:
1968
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On or about 3/25/85, the aircraft was landed on a short private strip. During the landing, it overran the strip, then collided with a dirt bank and a tree. The pilot abandoned the aircraft. Neither he nor the new owner could be found. There was evidence that the aircraft had been set afire after the accident. The aircraft bore a registration of N23LX, but the aircraft data plate and FAA records showed that a registration of N23L should have been displayed. During a seemingly unrelated arrest, police found the records of N23L in another aircraft that was loaded with 1,500 lbs of marijuana. The pilot was presumed to have had no injuries.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: overrun
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
1. Stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - performed - pilot in command
2. (c) distance - misjudged - pilot in command
3. (c) airspeed - misjudged - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: on ground/water encounter with terrain/water
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
4. (f) terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
----------
Occurrence #3: on ground/water collision with object
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
5. (f) object - tree(s)
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Dangriga: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 4, 1984
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Dangriga Airport, while climbing, the twin engine airplane suffered an engine failure, lost height and crashed in a huge explosion. The pilot, sole on board, was killed. He was en route to Florida on a contraband flight, carrying a load of marijuana.
Probable cause:
Engine failure, possibly because the plane was overloaded.

Crash of a Cessna 340 near Las Vegas: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 29, 1984
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N4001Q
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
340-0001
YOM:
1971
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
5715
Circumstances:
The pilot was carrying illegal cargo (marijuana) in N4001Q. During a low high speed pass at night over an intended landing area, the aircraft struck rising terrain. There was approximately 800 lbs of marijuana on the aircraft. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: maneuvering
Findings
1. (f) light condition - dark night
2. (c) visual lookout - not possible - pilot in command
3. (f) terrain condition - rising
4. (c) low pass - attempted - pilot in command
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 404 Titan in Bogotá

Date & Time: Sep 29, 1984 at 0555 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-2722
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bogotá – Aguachica
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed while taking off from Bogotá-El Dorado Airport by night. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were injured. According to authorities, the flight was illegal (contraband).

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain near Saint Petersburg

Date & Time: Aug 31, 1984
Operator:
Registration:
N4469R
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
31-8152120
YOM:
1981
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was completing an illegal flight and attempted to land in a remote area near St Petersburg when the aircraft crash landed in unclear circumstances. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was not found.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 520 in Goliad

Date & Time: Aug 24, 1984
Operator:
Registration:
N4183B
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
520-90
YOM:
1953
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft was found abandoned. Wreckage scene indicates collision with trees prior to collision with terrain. Aircraft suspected of being used for illegal cargo operations. The pilot was not found.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: unknown
Findings
1. (c) reason for occurrence undetermined
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Baker: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 2, 1984
Operator:
Registration:
N6GW
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
31-7405139
YOM:
1974
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The aircraft was found where it had crashed and burned on a rough lava bed. The crash site was about one mile northeast of a road where drug smuggling aircraft had been known to land in the past. There was evidence that cocaine had been removed from the accident site. The wreckage had been camouflaged by placing lava rocks on the shiny pieces of metal. There was evidence that the plane had crashed in a left wing low attitude while in a landing configuration. No preimpact/mechanical part failure or malfunction was found. The elevation of the crash site was about 2,930 feet. The aircraft wreckage was discovered on 6/2/84. The actual time of the accident was not determined. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: unknown
Findings
1. Stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - performed - pilot in command
2. (f) terrain condition - rough/uneven
3. (c) clearance - misjudged - pilot in command
Final Report: