Skydiving / Paratroopers

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Cahors - Cahors

MSN:

327

YOM:

1960

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The single engine airplane was engaged in a local skydiving mission, carrying a crew of two (one pilot and one mechanic) and four skydivers on behalf of the Aviation Légère de l'Armée de Terre (ALAT). Just after takeoff, while climbing, black smoke was coming out from the engine that lost power. The pilot attempted an emergency landing on a road but due to traffic, he tried to land in an open field when the airplane struck a bank and crashed in flames. All six occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed. Six days later, the mechanic died from his injuries.

Probable cause:

The engine failure was due to the fact that the fuel in the tanks was not compliant as a result of an error made by the driver of the fuel-truck who had just refueled the airplane at lunch break. Investigations revealed that the truck driver was intoxicated with a blood alcohol level of 1.2 ‰ and that he had switched both the fuel boxes.

Crash of a Noorduyn UC-64A Norseman in New Salem

Date & Time: Aug 28, 1977 at 1200 LT

Type of aircraft:

Noorduyn Norseman

Operator:

Registration:

N69795

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

New Salem - New Salem

MSN:

667

YOM:

1944

Location:

New Salem

Massachusetts

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

859

Captain / Total hours on type:

125.00

Circumstances:

The single engine airplane was engaged in a local flight, carrying one pilot and nine skydivers. After takeoff from New Salem Airstrip, the airplane encountered difficulties to gain height. It struck trees then stalled and crashed in flames in a wooded area. All 10 occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Engine malfunction during initial climb and collision with trees due to fuel system corroded. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Powerplant, fuel system, carburetor, corroded and obstructed,
- Fuel starvation,
- High obstructions,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Corrosion deposit found blocking accelerator pump outlet orifice of Bendix Stromberg NA-Y9E1 carburetor.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft G18S in Aero Oasis: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 20, 1977 at 1130 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft G18S

Operator:

William Mitchell

Registration:

N273V

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Aero Oasis - Immokalee

MSN:

BA-562

YOM:

1960

Location:

Aero Oasis

Florida

Country:

Region:

Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4501

Captain / Total hours on type:

6.00

Circumstances:

At liftoff, the airplane encountered difficulties to gain height, stalled and crashed in flames. All 10 skydivers escaped, one of them was injured. Unfortunately, the pilot was killed.

Probable cause:

Stall during climb due to inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Failed to abort takeoff,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Improperly loaded aircraft and CofG,
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection,
- Failure of the ignition system: spark plugs,
- Improper fuel grade,
- 953 pounds over max gross weight,
- CofG about 2.5 inches aft of limit,
- 2,000 feet strip.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45G Expeditor in Beatty

Date & Time: May 28, 1977 at 1120 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Adrian H. Meredith

Registration:

N6065V

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Davis - Beatty

MSN:

AF-206

YOM:

1952

Location:

Beatty

Nevada

Country:

Region:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2952

Captain / Total hours on type:

548.00

Circumstances:

On approach to Beatty, one of the engine failed. The pilot elected to make a go-around when the airplane lost height, struck power cables and crashed. All four occupants were slightly injured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Engine malfunction on go-around due to blower, impeller assembly failure. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Material failure,
- High obstructions,
- Forced landing off airport on land.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-35-DK in Buffalo Range: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 7, 1977

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

R7034

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Pilatus PC-6 (Porter & Turbo Porter)

Schedule:

Buffalo Range - Buffalo Range

MSN:

16662/33410

YOM:

1945

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The aircraft was engaged in a paratroopers mission in the region of Buffalo Range. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing at low height, the twin engine airplane struck power cables, stalled and crashed. Both pilots and a paratrooper were killed while five other occupants were injured.
Those killed were:
- S/L Peter Arthur Barnett,
- F/Lt David Edwin Mallett,
- Cpl Anthony Bradley.

Crash of a Pilatus PC-6/B1-H2 Turbo Porter in Sion

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1976 at 1058 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

HB-FFY

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Landing (descent or approach)

Schedule:

Sion - Sion

MSN:

679

YOM:

1968

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

470

Captain / Total hours on type:

39.00

Aircraft flight hours:

1613

Circumstances:

The single engine airplane was engaged in a local skydiving flight in Sion area. Flaps were selected at 28° for takeoff that was completed from runway 08. After rotation, while climbing to a height of about 100 feet, the tail stalled and the airplane crashed back onto the runway. On impact, the undercarriage were torn off and the airplane came to rest few dozen metres further. All nine occupants were evacuated, one passenger was slightly injured. The aircraft was written off.

Probable cause:

The accident was the consequence of a loss of speed due to abnormal use of flight controls and landing flaps. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Stall during initial climb after the pilot prematurely retracted the flaps from 28° to 14°,
- At the time of the accident, the total weight of the aircraft was 2,600 kilos, 185 kilos above the MTOW for existing flying conditions,
- There were eight passengers on board while the aircraft was certified for seven passengers maximum,
- The relative limited experience of the pilot.

Crash of a Beechcraft C18S in Cleveland

Date & Time: Apr 28, 1973 at 1730 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft C18S

Operator:

Gary D. Lewis

Registration:

N6417C

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Cleveland - Cleveland

MSN:

5549

YOM:

1943

Location:

Cleveland

Texas

Country:

Region:

Max Holste M.H.1521M Broussard

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1676

Captain / Total hours on type:

103.00

Circumstances:

Following a local skydiving mission, the pilot was returning to Cleveland Airport. On final approach, both engines failed due to fuel exhaustion. The airplane lost height and while avoiding power cables, the pilot lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed in an open field. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot was injured.

Probable cause:

Failure of both engines due to fuel exhaustion. The following factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Fuel exhaustion,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Evasive manoeuvre to avoid collision,
- High obstructions,
- Complete engine failure on both engines,
- Pilot had to maneuver to avoid power lines on final approach.

Final Report:

Crash of a Max Holste M.H.1521C Broussard in Kooigem

Date & Time: Oct 28, 1972

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Centre de Parachutisme de Lille

Registration:

F-BEHE

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

07C

YOM:

1957

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances in Kooigem while completing a local skydiving mission. The aircraft was destroyed and there were no casualties.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-45-DL in Dulikhel: 31 killed

Date & Time: Sep 13, 1972 at 1200 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

9N-RF10

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type: