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Crash of an Aero Commander 560 in Pleasant Valley: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 25, 1964 at 0810 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 560
Operator:
Registration:
N2683B
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
560-183
YOM:
1954
Location:
Pleasant Valley
New York
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
3500
Circumstances:
En route, control was lost. The twin engine aircraft went into a dive and crashed in a pasture. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The crew failed to obtain/maintain flying speed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 520 in Fairbanks: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 22, 1964 at 1825 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 520
Operator:
Registration:
N688C
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Location:
Fairbanks
Alaska
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
Captain / Total flying hours:
2500
Circumstances:
On final approach to Fairbanks Airport, the twin engine aircraft was too low and struck the slope of a mountain located few miles from the runway. The wreckage was found a week later and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent for undetermined reason.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft G18S in Toadlena: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jul 16, 1964 at 1225 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft G18S
Operator:
Registration:
N9423Y
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
BA-569
YOM:
1961
Location:
Toadlena
New Mexico
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:
11280
Aircraft flight hours:
2130
Circumstances:
While cruising under VFR mode in clouds, the pilot lost control of the airplane that dove into the ground and crashed in flames near Toadlena. All four occupants were killed and the aircraft was totally destroyed.
Probable cause:
Airframe failure in flight (normal cruise) due to wings spars fatigue fracture. Presence of turbulences associated with clouds and/or thunderstorms, downdrafts and updrafts was considered as a contributing factor.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed 12 Electra Junior in Martinsville: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jul 7, 1964 at 0515 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 12 Electra Junior
Operator:
Registration:
N18946
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
1240
YOM:
1938
Location:
Martinsville-Blue Ridge
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:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
15165
Captain / Total hours on type:
4.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after a night takeoff from Martinsville-Blue Ridge Airport, the twin engine airplane encountered difficulties to gain height, struck trees, stalled and crashed in flames. All five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Inadequate preflight preparation and/or planning on part of the pilot who started the flight with the gust locks engaged.
Final Report:

Crash of an Aero Commander 680 in Westfield: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 19, 1964 at 2200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 680
Operator:
Registration:
N344S
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Washington DC – Westfield
MSN:
680-448-119
YOM:
1956
Location:
Westfield-Barnes
Massachusetts
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
10759
Captain / Total hours on type:
731.00
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Washington DC, the pilot started the approach to Westfield-Barnes Airport in marginal weather with a visibility less than two miles due to fog. On final, while under control, the twin engine aircraft struck the ground about three miles short of runway, near Southampton. The pilot and a passenger were killed while three other occupants were injured.
Crew:
Edwin T. Zimny. †
Passengers:
Ted Kennedy, Senator,
Birch Bayh, Senator,
Mrs Bayh,
Edward Moss, personnel assistant to Mr. Kennedy. †
Probable cause:
Improper IFR operations on part of the pilot.
Final Report:

Crash of an Aero Commander 680F off San José del Cabo: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 9, 1964 at 0100 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 680
Operator:
Registration:
N264X
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
680-796-54
YOM:
1959
Location:
San José del Cabo
Baja California Sur
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot attempted to takeoff from a private airstrip at San José del Cabo by night. Shortly after liftoff, while in initial climb, the twin engine airplane struck power cables, stalled and crashed into the sea some 50 meters off shore. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed. The airplane was owned by the industrial Juan Abelardo Rodriguez Sullivan.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Wooster: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 3, 1964 at 1450 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft E18
Operator:
Registration:
N9921
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
BA-2
YOM:
1954
Location:
Wooster-Wayne County
Ohio
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:
2403
Captain / Total hours on type:
320.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Wooster-Wayne County Airport, the twin engine aircraft was too low, struck power cables and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot misjudged the distance and altitude during the final approach, causing the airplane to struck power cables and to crash.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Memphis

Date & Time: May 31, 1964 at 1150 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft D18
Operator:
Registration:
N80492
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
A-326
YOM:
1946
Location:
Memphis
Tennessee
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
7708
Captain / Total hours on type:
1457.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Memphis Airport, the pilot reported engine problems and elected to return for a safe landing. Unable to maintain control of the airplane, he attempted an emergency landing in an open field. The aircraft slid for several yards before coming to rest. Both occupants were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Improper operation of the anti/de-icing equipment caused conditions conducive to carburetor/induction system icing. The non-instrument rated pilot attempted operation in below VFR minimum conditions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C18S off Bimini

Date & Time: May 19, 1964 at 1153 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C18S
Operator:
Registration:
N8015H
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
8137
YOM:
1945
Location:
Bimini
Bimini
Country:
Bahamas
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1500
Captain / Total hours on type:
100.00
Circumstances:
En route between the Bahamas and Florida, one of the engine failure. The pilot was forced to attempt an emergency landing and eventually ditched the aircraft off Bimini. Both occupants were rescued while the aircraft was lost. It was owned by Barbara Hall.
Probable cause:
In-flight failure of one engine for undetermined reason. The aircraft was ditched.
Final Report:

Crash of an Aero Commander 520 in Fort Lauderdale

Date & Time: Apr 26, 1964 at 0450 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 520
Operator:
Registration:
N9094R
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Location:
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood
Florida
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:
14000
Captain / Total hours on type:
450.00
Circumstances:
While on a night approach to Fort Lauderdale-Bradley Airport, one of the engine failed. The pilot attempted a go around when the aircraft stalled and crashed short of runway. The pilot was injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Improper operation of powerplant & powerplant controls on part of the pilot. Engine loaded up and partial loss of power on one engine was a contributing factor.
Final Report:
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