Private American

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

8000

Circumstances:

While taking off from an unsuitable terrain in Groveland, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed in a wooded and sandy area, bursting into flames. Both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Collision with trees due to an inadequate preflight preparation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot delayed action in aborting takeoff,
- High vegetation,
- Sandy ground,
- Isolated area with narrow road down center,
- Weeds and brush on strip 12 inches high,
- Soft sand.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 411 in Columbus: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 9, 1981 at 2156 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 411

Operator:

Registration:

N7007R

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Ferry

Survivors:

Site:

City

Schedule:

Ozark - Augusta

MSN:

411-0047

YOM:

1965

Location:

Columbus

Georgia

Country:

Region:

Swearingen SA226T Merlin III

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

Circumstances:

While cruising by night on a flight from Ozark, Alabama, to Augusta, Georgia, the pilot lost control of the airplane that entered a dive and crashed in a residential area, bursting into flames. The pilot, sole on board, was killed. There were no casualties on ground.

Probable cause:

Loss of control after unqualified person operated the aircraft. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failure of the electrical system,
- The pilot attempted operation beyond experience/ability level,
- The pilot diverted attention from operation of aircraft,
- The pilot failed to follow approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Battery weak,
- Alternators off during GPU start,
- Emergency gear handle extended, observed without light,
- Dark night.

Final Report:

Crash of a Swearingen SA226T Merlin III in Cameron: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 10, 1981 at 2100 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N555AM

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Illegal (smuggling)

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

T-201

YOM:

1970

Location:

Cameron

Louisiana

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While in cruising altitude, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity. The pilot-in-command suffered a spatial disorientation and lost control of the aircraft that entered a dive and crashed into gulf of Mexico off Cameron. Both occupants were killed. They were engaged in an illegal smuggling flight.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled descent and subsequent crash after the pilot-in-command continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot-in-command suffered a spatial disorientation,
- Thunderstorm activity,
- Aircraft came to rest in water,
- Aircraft loaded with marijuana,
- Severe thunderstorm in progress.

Final Report:

Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2B-10 Marquise near Miami

Date & Time: May 13, 1981 at 1316 LT

Type of aircraft:

Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquise

Operator:

Registration:

N92JR

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Miami - Miami

MSN:

006

YOM:

1967

Location:

Miami

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3260

Captain / Total hours on type:

85.00

Circumstances:

The twin engine airplane was engaged in a local post maintenance test flight at Miami and was carrying one engineer and one pilot. While flying at low height, both engines lost power. The pilot attempted an emergency belly landing in an field. While both occupants escaped uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Wheels-up landing due to inadequate preflight preparation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Miscalculated fuel consumption,
- Fuel exhaustion,
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection,
- 100 hours inspection in progress,
- Fuel quantity indicating system not calibrated.

Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Dove 5A in Sebring

Date & Time: May 1, 1981 at 0830 LT

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.104 Dove

Operator:

Registration:

N630H

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Illegal (smuggling)

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

04378

YOM:

1952

Location:

Sebring

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Sebring Airport, while in initial climb, one of the engine failed. The pilot attempted an emergency landing when the airplane crash landed in a swampy area located on the north shore of Lake Istokpoga, about 2,5 miles south of Sebring airport. The pilot was not recovered and the airplane was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons.

Final Report:

Crash of a Noorduyn UC-64A Norseman in Prince George

Date & Time: Apr 3, 1981

Type of aircraft:

Noorduyn Norseman

Operator:

Registration:

N55555

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Site:

MSN:

228

YOM:

1943

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances while taking off from Prince George, BC. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 680 near LaBelle: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 2, 1981 at 0015 LT

Type of aircraft:

Rockwell Aero Commander 680

Operator:

Registration:

N777A

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Illegal (smuggling)

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

680-0477-147

YOM:

1957

Location:

LaBelle

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1200

Circumstances:

The pilot was completing an illegal flight and while attempting to land in dark night on a road located near LaBelle, the twin engine airplane crashed. Both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

The aircraft stalled on final approach after the pilot failed to maintain flying speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Improperly loaded aircraft,
- Dark night,
- CofG in front of forward limit,
- Approximately 1,100 lbs of quaalude pills found on board.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-88 Queen Air off Fort Lauderdale

Date & Time: Mar 1, 1981 at 1130 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft 88 Queen Air

Operator:

Registration:

N440R

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Fort Lauderdale - Fort Lauderdale

MSN:

LP-22

YOM:

1966

Location:

Fort Lauderdale

Country:

Region:

Rockwell Aero Commander 560

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1250

Captain / Total hours on type:

64.00

Circumstances:

While on a local flight in Fort Lauderdale, the pilot reported engine problems and ditched the aircraft off Fort Lauderdale. Both occupants were rescued while the airplane sank and was lost.

Probable cause:

Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot failed to follow approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Aircraft came to rest in water,
- Complete engine failure one engine,
- Forced landing off airport on water,
- Engine not feathered,
- Right engine fuel selector in off position.

Final Report:

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

Date & Time: Jan 23, 1981 at 1345 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N4385

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Test

Survivors: