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Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680 in Morrisville: 4 killed

Date & Time: Feb 13, 1978 at 2002 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Registration:
N26511
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Bedford - Raleigh
MSN:
680-1408-60
YOM:
1964
Location:
Morrisville
North Carolina
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
1061
Circumstances:
On final approach to Raleigh-Durham Airport, the twin engine airplane stalled and crashed. The pilot and three passengers were killed while two others were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Stall and spin on final approach after the pilot failed to maintain flying speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Improperly loaded aircraft, W&B and CofG.
- Visibility one mile or less,
- Aircraft heavy,
- No record of any pilot training type aircraft found,
- Narcotics and over 24,000 $ found in aircraft.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas A-26A Invader in Chino

Date & Time: Feb 9, 1978 at 1300 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas A-26 Invader
Operator:
Registration:
N99218
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Mojave - Chino
MSN:
18796
YOM:
1943
Location:
Chino
California
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:
10000
Captain / Total hours on type:
1200.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Chino Airport, the crew lost control of the airplane that crashed short of runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were seriously injured. They were completing a ferry flight from Mojave.
Probable cause:
Loss of control on final approach after the n°2 propeller went into reverse thrust for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Thrust reversal unwanted,
- Material failure.
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 25B in Amarillo

Date & Time: Oct 5, 1977 at 1943 LT
Type of aircraft:
Learjet 25
Operator:
Registration:
N100EP
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Amarillo - Houston
MSN:
25-138
YOM:
1974
Location:
Amarillo-Rick Husband
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3250
Captain / Total hours on type:
920.00
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll, just prior to liftoff, control was lost. The airplane veered off runway and crashed in flames. All three occupants escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Collision with ground during takeoff due to inadequate supervision of flight. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Simulated conditions,
- Pilot-in-command non CFI,
- Pulled engine at Vr,
- Copilot with no Learjet dual instruction made takeoff.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Austin

Date & Time: Aug 15, 1977 at 1521 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain
Operator:
Registration:
N74906
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Austin - Galveston
YOM:
1973
Location:
Austin-Robert Mueller
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:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
996
Captain / Total hours on type:
280.00
Circumstances:
At liftoff, the twin engine rolled to the right and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and the pilot, sole on board, was slightly injured.
Probable cause:
Stall during takeoff run after the pilot attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper maintenance,
- Exhaust system: external supercharger,
- Failed to obtain flying speed,
- Premature liftoff,
- Misused or failed to used flaps,
- Weste gate pivot pin p/n 400460-817 missing on right supercharger,
- Past history of power problems.
Final Report:

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

Date & Time: Aug 12, 1977 at 1150 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601)
Operator:
Registration:
N9578Q
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
La Verne - La Grande
MSN:
61-368-117
YOM:
1977
Location:
Burns
Oregon
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:
En route from La Verne to La Grande, while in cruising altitude, a wing separated and detached. Out of control, the airplane entered a spin and crashed in flames. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Airframe failure in flight and uncontrolled descent after the pilot exceeded designed stress limits of aircraft. The following findings were reported:
- Wings spars,
- Overload failure,
- Separation in flight,
- Wings separated.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3A in Sheridan: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 18, 1977 at 0535 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-3
Operator:
Registration:
N459
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Spraying (Agricultural)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Sheridan - Sheridan
Location:
Ardoch
North Dakota
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:
8530
Captain / Total hours on type:
3000.00
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a crop spraying mission against grasshoppers in the region of Sheridan. While flying at a relative low altitude, the crew made a 45° turn when the airplane stalled, spiraled and crashed in flames. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Stall during turnaround while the crew was flying into blind canyon. The following contributing factors were reported:
- inadequate preflight preparation,
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Hilly terrain.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I in San Rafael: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 7, 1977 at 1847 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I
Operator:
Registration:
N29760
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
421A-0076
YOM:
1968
Location:
San Rafael
California
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:
650
Captain / Total hours on type:
30.00
Circumstances:
At takeoff, the twin engine airplane stalled and crashed in flames. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Stall on takeoff due to inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Selected wrong runway relative to existing wind,
- Downwind,
- 2,000 feet runway, 15 knots tailwind.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3A-201A in LaBelle

Date & Time: Mar 17, 1977
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-3
Operator:
Registration:
N101MX
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
2102
YOM:
1939
Location:
LaBelle
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:
The pilot, apparently sole on board, was completing an illegal flight and elected to land on an unsuitable terrain located near LaBelle, Florida. Upon landing on soft ground, the airplane nosed down and came to rest. The pilot was not recovered but a load of 4,000 lbs of marijuana was found on board.
Probable cause:
Landing on an unsuitable terrain while completing an illegal flight.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 401 off Tampa

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1976 at 1156 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 401
Operator:
Registration:
N111TV
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Tampa - Tampa
MSN:
401-0158
YOM:
1968
Location:
Tampa-Peter O’Knight
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
437
Captain / Total hours on type:
129.00
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Tampa Airport in the morning for a local pleasure flight. On final approach to Tampa Airport, the pilot failed to extend the landing gear. Upon landing, the engine's propeller struck the runway surface. The pilot initiated a go-around but unable to maintain altitude, the aircraft lost height and crashed into Tampa Bay. All six occupants were rescued with minor injuries and the aircraft was lost.
Probable cause:
Wheels-up landing and controlled collision with water during go-around manoeuvre. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot failed to extend landing gear on approach,
- Un maintain altitude during go-around due to prop damages.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain near Piñon: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 19, 1976 at 0010 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain
Operator:
Registration:
N54294
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
31-7405231
YOM:
1974
Location:
Piñon
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:
Apparently coming from Mexico, the twin engine airplane was completing an illegal flight, carrying a load of 600 kilos of marijuana. After a first low pass, the pilot reduced his altitude and while attempting a second low pass, probably to jettison the load, the airplane struck trees and crashed in flames. The wreckage was found a day later and both occupants have been killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with ground during a low pass by night. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Misjudged altitude and clearance,
- High obstructions,
- Hit trees on second low pass.
Final Report:
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