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Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain near Tamarac: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 11, 1980 at 2130 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain
Operator:
Registration:
N19GA
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
31-7405252
YOM:
1974
Location:
Tamarac
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:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot was completing an drug smuggling flight and was attempting to land by night in a remote area near Tamarac when the airplane struck obstacles and crashed, bursting into flames. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Ground loop and nose down after the pilot selected an unsuitable terrain. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Unqualified person operated aircraft,
- High vegetation,
- Night landing on levee,
- No flight records on occupant,
- Marijuana on board.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft A60 Duke in Driggs: 6 killed

Date & Time: Nov 27, 1980 at 0007 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 60 Duke
Operator:
Registration:
N17JC
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Novato – Reno – Driggs
MSN:
P-223
YOM:
1973
Location:
Driggs-Reed Memorial
Idaho
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
1250
Captain / Total hours on type:
600.00
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Novato Airport, California, at 1830LT on November 26 with five passengers and one pilot on board. A fuel stop was completed at Reno Airport then the airplane proceeded to the northeast. While descending to Driggs-Reed Memorial Airport by night and foggy conditions, the pilot lost control of the airplane that entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in an open field, bursting into flames. All six occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent and subsequent crash after the pilot suffered a spatial disorientation while continuing VFR flight in adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fog,
- Pilot fatigue,
- Visibility half a mile or less,
- Pilot engaged in normal work-day activities before departing Novato at 1830LT.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 520 off Great Inagua: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 21, 1980
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 520
Operator:
Registration:
N515E
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Lantana - Great Inagua Island
MSN:
520-71
YOM:
1953
Location:
Great Inagua Island
Inagua
Country:
Bahamas
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea off Great Inagua Island. SAR operations were initiated but the wreckage nor both occupants were recovered.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560F in Naples

Date & Time: Nov 18, 1980 at 1420 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 560
Operator:
Registration:
N444R
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
560-1185-43
YOM:
1962
Location:
Naples
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
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Naples, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed, bursting into flames. The pilot, sole on board, escaped and was not recovered. The aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees during initial climb after the pilot selected an unsuitable terrain. Injury index presumed. Suspected drug operation.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-325 Navajo C/R off Bridgeport: 4 killed

Date & Time: Nov 10, 1980 at 2222 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
Operator:
Registration:
N62987
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Worcester - Bridgeport
MSN:
31-7712007
YOM:
1977
Location:
Bridgeport-Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial
Connecticut
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:
6500
Circumstances:
At 2219LT, while approaching Bridgeport by night on a flight from Worcester, the pilot reported to ATC he was low on fuel. Three minutes later, after becoming lost, the airplane descended and crashed into the sea off Bridgeport. SAR operations were initiated and a dead body was found a day later. All three other occupants as well as the wreckage were never found.
Probable cause:
The pilot became lost and disoriented while approaching Bridgeport by night. Following a double engine failure due to a fuel exhaustion, he attempted to ditch the aircraft that crashed into the sea.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Naples

Date & Time: Nov 5, 1980 at 1440 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
Operator:
Registration:
N9044Y
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
31-64
YOM:
1968
Location:
Naples
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
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances near Naples while engaged in a contraband flight. The pilot, sole on board, was not recovered. The airplane was destroyed in the accident.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421 Golden Eagle in Palm Springs

Date & Time: Sep 19, 1980 at 1342 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 421 Golden Eagle
Operator:
Registration:
N4091L
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Palm Springs - Burbank
MSN:
421A-0091
YOM:
1968
Location:
Palm Springs
California
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:
3963
Captain / Total hours on type:
362.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Palm Springs Airport, while in initial climb, the pilot reported an engine failure and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. While making a turn, the twin engine airplane lost height, struck trees and crashed in a wooded area, bursting into flames. Both occupants were slightly injured.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- High obstructions,
- Forces landing off airport on land,
- Pilot stated right engine failed and propeller would not feather,
- No failures revealed by engine inspection.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680 in Newburgh: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 16, 1980 at 1411 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Registration:
N1520K
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Newburgh - Hudson
MSN:
680-0730-32
YOM:
1959
Location:
Newburgh-Stewart
New York
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:
182
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Newburgh-Stewart Airport, while in initial climb, the twin engine airplane banked right then stalled and crashed, bursting into flames. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Complete engine failure during initial climb due to improper maintenance. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper maintenance on part of the owner personnel,
- The pilot failed to maintain flying speed,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Champion RHB32E plugs installed, not approved,
- Cowl fasteners missing.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601P) near Summerville: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 2, 1980 at 1954 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601)
Operator:
Registration:
N90463
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Chattanooga – Birmingham
MSN:
61P-0260-050
YOM:
1976
Location:
Summerville
Georgia
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:
1362
Captain / Total hours on type:
56.00
Circumstances:
En route from Chattanooga to Birmingham, while in cruising altitude, the twin engine entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in an open field. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the loss of control could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Vero Beach: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 28, 1980 at 2130 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain
Operator:
Registration:
N398GT
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
31-7652065
YOM:
1976
Location:
Vero Beach
Florida
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:
5000
Captain / Total hours on type:
40.00
Circumstances:
By night, the crew was trying to land on a remote area located in the region of Vero Beach when the twin engine airplane struck power lines and trees and crashed. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Collision with power lines and trees during a low pass after the pilot-in-command misjudged altitude.
Final Report:
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