Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500 off Rat Cay: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 11, 1984
Operator:
Registration:
N8457C
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
500-823
YOM:
1959
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
En route from The Bahamas to Florida, the twin engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea about 17 km off Rat Cay Island. The pilot, sole on board, was killed. Contraband was found on board. Illegal flight.

Crash of a Lockheed 18-56 LodeStar in Oneonta: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 16, 1984 at 2330 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N77777
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
2373
YOM:
1943
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
13000
Circumstances:
At approximately 2330 est, witnesses near the crash site heard an aircraft, and shortly thereafter, they saw a flash. One of them, who was driving a car, went back to the area the next day and found the aircraft wreckage. The aircraft had crashed and burned about one mile from the approach end of runway 24. Wreckage was strewn along an area of about 250 feet long and was oriented on a heading of 230°. The aircraft was descending in an estimate 40° dive when it hit the ground. An exam of the wreckage did not disclose any evidence of a malfunction. About 3,500 lbs of marijuana was found in the wreckage. The 2010 weather at the airport was: indefinite 500 feet obscuration, visibility 1 1/4 mile with rain and light fog, temperature 33°, wind from 280° at 5 knots. Another pilot had landed at 2015. He said his aircraft had accumulated a trace of rime ice. At the time of the accident, witnesses said the roads were lightly covered with ice snow. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: in flight encounter with weather
Phase of operation: approach
Findings
1. (f) judgment - poor - pilot in command
2. Stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - performed - pilot in command
3. (f) flight into known adverse weather - performed - pilot in command
4. (f) light condition - night
5. (f) weather condition - low ceiling
6. (f) weather condition - fog
7. (f) weather condition - obscuration
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: approach
Findings
8. (c) aircraft handling - not maintained - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Final Report:

Crash of aCurtiss C-46A-60-CK Commando in Barranquilla

Date & Time: Mar 13, 1984 at 0747 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HK-1322P
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Barranquilla - Bogotá
MSN:
444
YOM:
1945
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Barranquilla-Ernesto Cortissoz Airport, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and was forced to return. After landing, the airplane rolled for about 100 meters then took off again. It reached a height of 20 meters then stalled and crashed on the runway. Three crew members and a passenger were killed while two other occupants were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. It was reported that all four crew members were former Colombian Air Force pilots. According to authorities, no flight plan had been filed. The flight was named 'suspsicous' because several firearms were found in the wreckage along with 50 plastic drums that are known to be used in production of narcotics.

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-A80 Queen Air in Edison

Date & Time: Oct 12, 1983 at 2130 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N62TG
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
LD-215
YOM:
1965
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
At approximately 2130 edt, the aircraft collided with a tree while the pilot was making a low pass over a wooded area. After hitting the tree, the plane crashed into a pond. Reportedly, the aircraft had returned from Columbia (South America) and the aircrew were preparing to drop duffel bags of cocaine. When the aircraft hit the tree, the pilot was flying while the other person was getting ready to throw out the bags. Both occupants were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: in flight collision with object
Phase of operation: maneuvering
Findings
1. (f) light condition - night
2. (c) judgment - poor - pilot in command
3. (f) overconfidence in personal ability - pilot in command
4. (f) low pass - performed - pilot in command
5. (c) proper altitude - not maintained - pilot in command
6. (f) object - tree(s)
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-6 in Monterrubio: 7 killed

Date & Time: Oct 8, 1983
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances shortly after takeoff from Monterrubio while on an illegal contraband flight. The aircraft was destroyed and all seven occupants were killed. A load of 30,000 lbs of marijuana was found among the debris.

Crash of a Lockheed 18 LodeStar in Millhaven: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 23, 1983 at 0157 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N333FB
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
2467
YOM:
1957
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The aircraft collided with trees during an attempted off airport landing at night for marijuana unloading. The aircraft was being followed by a u.s customs helicopter, the occupants of this helicopter said the aircraft had made one missed approach and during the go-around on the downwind leg the aircraft descended until it hit the trees. There was a layer of 'scud' at about 100-200 feet agl. Visibility under the low lying intermittent cloud layer was about 2 miles. After the crash the helicopter landed about 30 yards away but approach on foot was not possible due to heat from the burning wreckage. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: in flight collision with object
Phase of operation: approach - VFR pattern - downwind
Findings
1. (c) altitude - not maintained - pilot in command
2. (c) diverted attention - pilot in command
3. (f) weather condition - fog
4. (f) light condition - dark night
5. (f) object - tree(s)
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3C near Bay City

Date & Time: Jan 16, 1983 at 0300 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
TG-SAB
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
18978
YOM:
1943
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The Guatemalan registered aircraft collided with the ground while airdropping bales of marijuana on a beach. According to a witness, while the aircraft was making low passes over the beach the propeller struck the beach tearing it off the aircraft. The aircraft then continued about 600 feet and landed gear up on the beach. The crew unsuccessfully attempted to set the aircraft on fire. Sob and injuries are presumed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: maneuvering
Findings
1. (f) low pass - performed - pilot in command
2. (f) light condition - dark night
3. (c) altitude - misjudged - pilot in command
4. (f) propeller system/accessories - separation
5. (f) wheels up landing - performed - pilot in command
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 340 in Benavides: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 16, 1982 at 1830 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N5906M
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Guadalajara - Benavides
MSN:
340-0064
YOM:
1972
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
579
Circumstances:
A deer hunter saw the aircraft on a final approach to an open field at dusk, with the gear and flaps down. He stated that when it was at about 100 feet agl, the nose pitched down and the plane struck the ground and burst into flames. The aircraft was loaded with an estimated 600 lbs of marijuana, most of which was consumed by fire. A high altitude navigational chart was found near the wreckage. The chart contained a line between two navigational points (one in mexico and one in the united states). The aircraft had been stolen. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: approach - VFR pattern - final approach
Findings
1. Stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - performed - pilot in command
2. (f) light condition - dusk
3. (c) airspeed - not maintained - pilot in command
4. (c) stall - inadvertent - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3 in Colombia: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 19, 1982
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Orlando - Algarrobo
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew departed Orlando, Florida, on an illegal flight to Algarrobo, Magdalena. In unknown circumstances, the aircraft crashed in the department of Cesar. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants (two US citizens) were killed.

Crash of a Rockwell Turbo Commander 680 near Dumfries

Date & Time: Nov 15, 1982
Registration:
N89DA
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
680-1702-78
YOM:
1967
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in a field near Dumfries, about 15 km southeast of Montego Bay, Jamaica. Both pilots were not found and the airplane was damaged beyond repair. It was engaged in an illegal contraband mission.