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Crash of a Cessna 401A in Fort Lauderdale: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 29, 1970 at 1531 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 401
Operator:
Registration:
N6235Q
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Augusta – Fort Lauderdale
MSN:
401A-0035
YOM:
1969
Location:
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
2575
Captain / Total hours on type:
418.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport, the pilot was too close to a preceding Boeing 727 and was cautioned by ATC about wake turbulences. Shortly later, the twin engine aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed few miles short of runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and all four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control on final approach because the pilot failed to follow the approved procedures. The airplane encountered turbulences approximately 95 seconds behind and below a landing Boeing 727 flight path. The pilot was cautioned by tower about wake turbulences.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18 in Delavan

Date & Time: Jul 25, 1970 at 1334 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft E18
Operator:
Registration:
N3333C
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Delavan - Glenview
MSN:
BA-36
YOM:
1955
Location:
Delavan
Wisconsin
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
4470
Captain / Total hours on type:
445.00
Circumstances:
While taking off from Delavan-Lake Lawn Airport, the left engine lost power. The pilot elected to make an emergency landing but people on the ground forced him to retard this procedure. He attempted to land further but the airplane lost height and crashed in flames in a field. The airplane was destroyed and all three occupants were injured, the pilot seriously.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following factors were reported:
- Evasive maneuver to avoid collision with persons on ground,
- Partial loss of power on one engine.
Final Report:

Crash of a Swearingen SA26T Merlin IIB in Cleveland: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 29, 1970 at 1924 LT
Type of aircraft:
Swearingen SA26T Merlin II
Operator:
Registration:
N239P
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Jamestown - Cleveland
MSN:
T26-147
YOM:
1969
Location:
Cleveland-Cuyahoga County
Ohio
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
3733
Captain / Total hours on type:
225.00
Circumstances:
On final approach by night to Cuyahoga County Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with snow falls and icing. At the decision height, the runway was not in sight but the captain decided to continue when the airplane struck tree tops and crashed in a wooded area located 4,610 feet short of runway 24. A pilot was killed while three other occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of improper IFR operation on part of the flying crew. The following factors were considered as contributing:
- Airframe ice,
- Snow,
- Icing conditions with sleet and freezing rain,
- Turbulences associated with thunderstorm activity,
- The crew decided to descend below the minimum descent altitude,
- Both landing lights were ON in heavy snow falls.
Final Report:

Crash of a Ted Smith 601 in Santa Fe: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 15, 1969 at 0915 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601)
Operator:
Registration:
N7442S
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Santa Fe – Dallas
MSN:
61-0025-054
YOM:
1969
Location:
Santa Fe
New Mexico
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Santa Fe Airport, the airplane failed to gain sufficient speed but the pilot did not abandoned the procedure and continued. After liftoff, the airplane encountered difficulties to gain height then stalled and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Improper operation of powerplant & powerplant controls and inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot. The following factors were reported:
- The pilot failed to abort takeoff,
- High density altitude,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Takeoff made with mixture controls too lean,
- Density altitude about 8,200 feet,
- Insufficient runway for takeoff.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402A on Mt McKinley: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 24, 1969 at 1815 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 402
Operator:
Registration:
N4524Q
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Anchorage - Kantishna
MSN:
402A-0024
YOM:
1969
Location:
Mt McKinley
Alaska
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:
8340
Captain / Total hours on type:
40.00
Circumstances:
The pilot departed Anchorage on a survey flight to Kantishna, taking part to a SAR mission after a helicopter was missing. On approach to Mt McKinley, the airplane went out of control and crashed onto a slope of the the mountain. The wreckage was found a day later and the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
The aircraft stalled in flight because de pilot failed to maintain flying speed. The following findings were reported:
- Downdrafts,
- Flaps found extended to 30°,
- Wind gusting up to 20 knots.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed 18 LodeStar in Gaithersburg

Date & Time: May 2, 1969 at 1421 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 18 LodeStar
Operator:
Registration:
N221P
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
2062
YOM:
1941
Location:
Gaithersburg
Maryland
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
Captain / Total flying hours:
1223
Captain / Total hours on type:
27.00
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Gaithersburg-Montgomery County Airport, the twin engine airplane swerved on runway. Control was lost and the airplane veered off runway, lost its undercarriage and came to rest in flames. Both occupants were slightly injured and the airplane was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
Failed to maintain directional control during takeoff due to overload failure. Ground looped, gear collapsed and crashed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed 18 LodeStar in Freeport

Date & Time: Dec 12, 1968 at 0941 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 18 LodeStar
Operator:
Registration:
N60G
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
2264
YOM:
1942
Location:
Freeport
West Grand Bahama
Country:
Bahamas
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1790
Captain / Total hours on type:
477.00
Circumstances:
Upon landing at Freeport Airport, one of main landing gear collapsed. The airplane went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. All 11 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Undercarriage collapses on landing.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 411 in Houston: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 7, 1968 at 1117 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 411
Operator:
Registration:
N7392U
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
411-0092
YOM:
1965
Location:
Houston-William P. Hobby
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:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
3500
Captain / Total hours on type:
300.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff, while climbing, the left engine failed. The pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed near the runway. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was probably caused by the combination of the following factors:
- Failure of the left engine during initial climb,
- Failure of the fuel system, loose parts/fitting, leak/leakage,
- Lack of lubrication on specific part,
- Powerplant scored,
- Fuel starvation,
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- The pilot failed to obtain/maintain flying speed,
- Complete engine failure,
- Leaking fitting in engine driven fuel pump,
- Bearing dry, armature scored in auxiliary fuel pump on left engine.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 411 in Teterboro

Date & Time: Dec 6, 1968 at 1702 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 411
Operator:
Registration:
N162A
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
411-0219
YOM:
1966
Location:
Teterboro
New Jersey
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
Captain / Total flying hours:
4900
Captain / Total hours on type:
150.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Teterboro Airport, while in initial climb, one of the engine failed. The pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed in a huge explosion on the apron. The pilot was seriously injured while the Cessna 411 was destroyed by a post crash fire as well as five other aircraft, a Piper PA-28 (N6416W), two Beechcraft 33 (N8822H & N5715V), a Beechcraft 35 (N9575Q) and a fifth aircraft registered N7167N. A sixth airplane registered N8390N was seriously damaged.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following factors were reported:
- The pilot failed to obtain/maintain flying speed,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Improper single engine procedure.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 401 in Hopewell

Date & Time: Oct 24, 1968 at 0850 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 401
Operator:
Registration:
N348E
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Location:
Hopewell
Virginia
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
6976
Captain / Total hours on type:
169.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Hopewell Airport, the pilot encountered poor visibility and was unable to locate the runway lights. He failed to execute a missed approach and continued to descend until the airplane struck trees and crashed in flames in a wooded area. All five occupants were injured and the airplane was destroyed by a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
The accident was the result of improper IFR operation on part of the pilot. The following factors were considered as contributing:
- Low ceiling,
- Obstruction to vision,
- The pilot did not execute a missed approach when runway was not in sight,
- The visibility was reduced due to smoke from a local factory and fog.
Final Report:
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