Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560F in the Gulf of Mexico

Date & Time: Jan 23, 1981 at 1345 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N4385
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Homestead - Homestead
MSN:
560-1213-47
YOM:
1962
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1915
Captain / Total hours on type:
29.00
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Homestead, Florida, on a test flight. While flying over the Gulf of Mexico, the pilot reported severe electrical storm. He became lost and disoriented so he decided to ditch the airplane about 375 miles southeast of Brownsville, Texas. The aircraft sank and was lost while both occupants were rescued.
Probable cause:
The pilot became lost and disoriented after encountering severe electrical storm in flight.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 340A in Aurora

Date & Time: Jan 21, 1981 at 1107 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N26711
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Aurora - Aurora
MSN:
340A-0748
YOM:
1979
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5498
Captain / Total hours on type:
69.00
Circumstances:
The crew (one engineer and two pilots) departed Aurora-Sugar Grove for a local post maintenance test flight. While approaching the airport in poor weather conditions with limited visibility due to freezing fog, both engines lost power as the induction systems were iced. The crew attempted an emergency landing when the airplane crashed. All three occupants were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with ground on final approach due to improper operation of powerplant and powerplant controls. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper operation of the anti-icing/deicing equipment or failed to use it,
- Ice induction,
- Airframe ice,
- Icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain,
- Conditions conducive to carburetor/induction system icing,
- Forced landing on airport,
- Airframe buffet,
- Adverse/unfavorable weather,
- Visibility one mile or less,
- Fog,
- Test flight check of radios and pressurization,
- 233 lbs over max weight at takeoff, within limits at the time of the accident.
Final Report:

Crash of an Alekseev KM in the Caspian Sea

Date & Time: Dec 15, 1980
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
08 White
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
01
YOM:
1963
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed while taking off from the Caspian Sea on a test flight. There were no casualties.

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

Date & Time: Aug 10, 1980 at 2020 LT
Registration:
N27906
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Fort Lauderdale - Fort Lauderdale
MSN:
31-7952038
YOM:
1979
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
186
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport, the twin engine airplane sank on its belly, slid for several yards and came to rest in flames on the runway. The airplane burst into flames and was quickly destroyed by fire. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot-in-command retracted the gear prematurely, causing the aircraft to crash on its belly. All propellers damaged due to contact with runway surface.
Final Report:

Crash of a McDonnell Douglas MD-81 in Yuma

Date & Time: Jun 19, 1980 at 1849 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N1002G
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Yuma-Yuma
MSN:
48001
YOM:
1979
Location:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
8200
Captain / Total hours on type:
150.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
3199
Copilot / Total hours on type:
223
Aircraft flight hours:
6
Circumstances:
The airplane skidded off the right side of runway 21R while attempting a simulated hydraulic-systems-inoperative landing at the Yuma International Airport, Yuma, Arizona. The aircraft came to rest about 6,700 feet beyond the landing threshold of the runway. Although the aircraft was damaged substantially the three flightcrew members were not injured. There were no passengers. The weather was clear and the runway was dry. The aircraft was on an FAA certification test flight to demonstrate compliance with a special condition to 14 CFR Part 25. The purpose of the flight was to show that the aircraft could be controlled adequately and landed safely with a complete failure of its hydraulic systems. The aircraft landed about 1,735 feet beyond the threshold of runway 21R, and the pilot deployed the thrust reverses and applied reverse thrust before the nosewheel touched down. The aircraft began to yaw, continued to yaw after the nosewheel touched down, it then ground looped to the right, and slid off the right side of the runway. All three crew members were slightly injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Inadequate procedures established for certification test flight, and the pilot's mismanagement of thrust following the initial loss of directional control.
Final Report:

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2TP near Gierłoż

Date & Time: May 31, 1980
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
SP-ANC
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
MSN:
1G25-11
YOM:
1962
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances while on a test flight. Occupant fate unknown.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-30-DL in Athol: 3 killed

Date & Time: Apr 11, 1980 at 1700 LT
Registration:
N64490
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Athol - Athol
MSN:
13915/25360
YOM:
1944
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
3600
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Athol-Silverwood, while in initial climb, the airplane encountered difficulties to gain height. It stalled and crashed in flames in a prairie located past the runway end. All three passengers were seriously injured while all three crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure during initial climb for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to abort takeoff,
- First flight of aircraft for approximately 11 months,
- Pilot's certificate was under suspension.
Final Report:

Crash of a Canadair CL-600-1A11 Challenger 600 in California City: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 3, 1980 at 0910 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
C-GCGR-X
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Mojave - Mojave
MSN:
1001
YOM:
1978
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
7782
Captain / Total hours on type:
468.00
Circumstances:
The crew departed Mojave-Kern County Airport in the morning on a series of tests on this new Bombardier prototype. While in cruising altitude, the crew initiated an unscheduled stall when the airplane reached an angle of attack of 34°. Control was lost and the airplane entered a dive. All three crew members bailed out and the airplane crashed in a desert area. Two crew members were injured while the third occupant was killed as his parachute failed to open.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled collision with ground following an emergency descent due to technical problems with instruments/equipment. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Flight and navigation instruments: angle of attack indicator,
- Binding,
- Hydraulic system: seals, deteriorated,
- Unknown failure in emergency chute jettison system.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 414 Chancellor in Leeds: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 23, 1980 at 1101 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
G-BAOZ
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Leeds - Leeds
MSN:
414-0381
YOM:
1973
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
1440
Captain / Total hours on type:
900.00
Aircraft flight hours:
1931
Circumstances:
One pilot and one engineer departed Leeds-Bradford Airport in the mid-morning on a local post maintenance flight, the aircraft being transferred the following day to Pakistan on behalf of UNO. On final approach to runway 15, the aircraft has been observed to be flying more slowly than usual and at a low height. The turn on to final approach developed into a spin to the left, and after two or three rotations, the aircraft crashed into a wood an caught fire. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It is concluded that the aircraft entered the spin from an accelerated stall, possibly as the result of the pilot attempting to regain the approach centre line by a higher rate or turn than normal. The relatively slow speed of the aircraft, the gusty conditions and the handling characteristics associated with the aircraft's modified flap system are considered to have been contributory factors.
Final Report: