Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 680T off New Orleans: 3 killed

Date & Time: Dec 5, 1971 at 2323 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 680
Operator:
Air Lease
Registration:
N78D
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Knoxville - New Orleans
MSN:
680-1580-33
YOM:
1966
Location:
New Orleans-Lakefront
Louisiana
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
5812
Circumstances:
On a night approach to New Orleans-Lakefront Airport, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with low ceiling. Unable to locate the runway, he abandoned the approach and initiated a go-around. Few minutes later, during a second attempt to land, he decided to descend below MDA when the twin engine airplane struck the water surface and crashed into Lake Pontchartrain few miles short of runway. All three occupants were killed but only two bodies were recovered.
Probable cause:
Improper IFR operation on part of the pilot. The following factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Pilot fatigue,
- The pilot descended below minimums and below MDA on localizer approach,
- Crashed into lake on second attempt to land.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Loreauville: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 1, 1971 at 1630 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft D18
Operator:
Air Lease
Registration:
N296RB
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Savannah – Lake Charles
MSN:
A-82
YOM:
1946
Location:
Loreauville
Louisiana
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:
300
Circumstances:
En route from Savannah to Lake Charles, while in cruising altitude, the pilot encountered very bad weather conditions with heavy rain falls and turbulences. In clouds, he lost control of the airplane that entered a dive and crashed in an open field. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the pilot continued under VFR mode into adverse weather conditions. The following factors were reported:
- Spatial disorientation,
- Low ceiling, rain and fog,
- The pilot weather briefing included current sigmet calling for thunderstorms imbedded in weather throughout intended route.
Final Report:
Subscribe to Air Lease