Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain near Tamarac: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 11, 1980 at 2130 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain
Operator:
Registration:
N19GA
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
31-7405252
YOM:
1974
Location:
Tamarac
Florida
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
Circumstances:
The pilot was completing an drug smuggling flight and was attempting to land by night in a remote area near Tamarac when the airplane struck obstacles and crashed, bursting into flames. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Ground loop and nose down after the pilot selected an unsuitable terrain. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Unqualified person operated aircraft,
- High vegetation,
- Night landing on levee,
- No flight records on occupant,
- Marijuana on board.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-6A off Alice Town: 4 killed

Date & Time: Nov 28, 1980
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-6
Operator:
Registration:
N844TA
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Alice Town - Miami
MSN:
44421
YOM:
1954
Location:
Alice Town
Bimini
Country:
Bahamas
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Alice Town, Bimini, the four engine airplane lost height and crashed into the sea. All four occupants were killed. It is believed that the crew was engaged in a drug smuggling flight.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined but an engine failure was suspected.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560F in Naples

Date & Time: Nov 18, 1980 at 1420 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 560
Operator:
Registration:
N444R
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
560-1185-43
YOM:
1962
Location:
Naples
Florida
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
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Naples, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed, bursting into flames. The pilot, sole on board, escaped and was not recovered. The aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees during initial climb after the pilot selected an unsuitable terrain. Injury index presumed. Suspected drug operation.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Naples

Date & Time: Nov 5, 1980 at 1440 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
Operator:
Registration:
N9044Y
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
31-64
YOM:
1968
Location:
Naples
Florida
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
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances near Naples while engaged in a contraband flight. The pilot, sole on board, was not recovered. The airplane was destroyed in the accident.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 404 Titan in Gowers Corner: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 30, 1980 at 2245 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 404 Titan
Operator:
Cosmopolitan Broadcasting Corporation
Registration:
N37093
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Carata - Gowers Corner
MSN:
404-0103
YOM:
1977
Location:
Gowers Corner
Florida
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:
2000
Captain / Total hours on type:
100.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Gowers Corner while on an illegal flight from Carata, Colombia, an engine failed. The pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed in a pasture. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure and subsequent stall and crash on approach for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Improperly loaded aircraft,
- Unwarranted low flying,
- Pilot fatigue,
- Stolen aircraft,
- Rain falls,
- Thunderstorm activity,
- Complete engine failure,
- Weather conditions below minimums,
- 304 lbs over max landing weight,
- Documents in aircraft indicate pilot flew over 16 hours since takeoff at 0544.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Frostproof

Date & Time: Sep 28, 1980 at 1800 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft D18
Operator:
Joseph Lynch
Registration:
N704D
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
A-596
YOM:
1951
Location:
Frostproof
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in an illegal flight and was supposed to load marijuana boxes when they decided to hurry the takeoff to avoid apprehension. The twin engine airplane struck a fence and crashed. The passenger was slightly injured while the pilot was seriously wounded.
Probable cause:
Ground loop and subsequent collision with fence due to inadequate preflight preparation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper operation of brakes and/or flight controls.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft H18 in Paraguachón

Date & Time: Sep 26, 1980
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft H18
Operator:
National Bumper Exchange
Registration:
N9724Y
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
BA-656
YOM:
1963
Location:
Paraguachón
La Guajira
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was engaged in an illegal (contraband) flight. En route, the crew was forced to attempt an emergency landing due to a fuel exhaustion. The aircraft crash landed in Paraguachón, near the Colombia - Venezuela border. Both occupants escaped uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Emergency landing due to fuel exhaustion.

Crash of a Convair CV-240-6 near Okeechobee

Date & Time: Sep 22, 1980 at 0200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Convair CV-240
Operator:
Registration:
ZP-CDO
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
62
YOM:
1949
Location:
Okeechobee
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:
0
Circumstances:
The crew attempted to land by night on a cow pasture with portable lights at each end near Okeechobee. The airplane struck trees and crashed. Both occupants were no recovered and injuries presumed. It is believed this was an illegal contraband flight from Central or South America.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees and subsequent crash after the crew selected an unsuitable terrain. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The crew misjudged distance and speed,
- Failed to initiate a go-around.
Final Report:

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-35-CU Commando off Riohacha

Date & Time: Sep 20, 1980
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
HI-197
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Santo Domingo - Riohacha
MSN:
26716
YOM:
1943
Location:
Riohacha
La Guajira
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While approaching Riohacha-Almirante Padilla Airport, the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea few hundred meters off shore. All six occupants were rescued while the airplane was damaged beyond repair. It was reported that the flight was illegal as the airplane and its crew were involved in a contraband mission.

Crash of a Beechcraft 65 Queen Air in Mission

Date & Time: Sep 13, 1980 at 2200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 65 Queen Air
Operator:
Seaback Homes
Registration:
N817G
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
LC-31
YOM:
1960
Location:
Mission
Texas
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
Circumstances:
The pilot was completing a drug smuggling flight and elected to land by night and a farm road located in Mission, Texas, when the airplane struck a van and crashed. It was later deliberately set on fire and the pilot was not found.
Probable cause:
Collision with van upon landing on a farm road after the pilot selected an unsuitable terrain. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot exercised poor judgement,
- Evidence of marijuana on board,
- Injury index presumed.
Final Report:
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