Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon in Franklinton: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 5, 1982 at 1430 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 207 Skywagon/Stationair
Operator:
Astro Airways
Registration:
N73013
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Pine Bluff - New Orleans
MSN:
207-0554
YOM:
1980
Location:
Franklinton
Louisiana
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
4020
Captain / Total hours on type:
4020.00
Circumstances:
The passenger stated that after sharp turns at low altitude over a farm house they did a roll and were too low to recover prior to striking trees. The aircraft came to rest inverted in a 4-5 feet deep farm pond. The autopsy report shows the pilot's death by asphyxia due to drowning. The passenger also stated they had also flown low over a beach and performed a roll enroute from pine bluff.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: in flight collision with object
Phase of operation: maneuvering
Findings
1. (c) judgment - poor - pilot in command
2. (c) aerobatics - performed - pilot in command
3. Object - tree(s)
4. (c) proper altitude - not maintained - pilot in command
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft H18 in Saint Louis: 3 killed

Date & Time: Mar 25, 1978 at 1052 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft H18
Operator:
Astro Airways
Registration:
N58JM
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Pine Bluff - Saint Louis
MSN:
BA-695
YOM:
1964
Location:
Saint Louis-Downtown
Illinois
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
865
Captain / Total hours on type:
80.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Saint Louis-Downtown Airport, the crew encountered poor visibility with low ceiling and icing conditions. Too low, the twin engine airplane struck power cables and crashed in Centreville, near the airport. Three passengers were killed while three other occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
Collision with wires/poles on final approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Icing conditions including sleet, freezing rain,
- Visibility three miles or less,
- Fog,
- Hit wires during localizer approach.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Dove off Chicago: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 20, 1975 at 1139 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.104 Dove
Operator:
Astro Airways
Registration:
N1536V
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Chicago - Chicago
MSN:
04355
YOM:
1952
Location:
Chicago-Merrill C. Meigs
Illinois
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:
6650
Captain / Total hours on type:
22.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Chicago-Merrill C. Meigs, while climbing, both engines failed simultaneously. The pilot lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed into Lake Michigan. The aircraft was lost and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Complete failure of both engines due to fuel exhaustion. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Fuel exhaustion,
- Failure of both engines,
- Improper operations of flight controls,
- Fuel drained total less than two gallons from each wing,
- Right wing hit first and aircraft cartwheeled.
Final Report:
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