Crash of a Rockwell CT-39G Sabreliner in Glenview: 3 killed

Date & Time: Mar 3, 1991 at 1140 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
160057
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Glenview - Glenview
MSN:
306-108
YOM:
1975
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew (one instructor and two pilots under training) was completing a local training at Glenview Airport. On approach to runway 27, the instructor decided to initiate a go-around procedure then started an approach to runway 35. He cancelled his IFR flight plan when control was lost. The airplane crashed onto several houses located near the airport. All three crew members were killed while there were no casualties on ground.

Crash of a Piper PA-31T Cheyenne II in Mattapan: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 24, 1990 at 0633 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N85HB
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Chatham – Boston
MSN:
31-8120021
YOM:
1981
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
2926
Captain / Total hours on type:
536.00
Circumstances:
The pilot noted an over torque condition in the left engine as the aircraft was on an ILS approach. He made a go-around and initiated another approach with the engine shut down. He was unable to maintain altitude and the aircraft began a decent that was not arrested. Subsequently, it crashed into 2 homes, approximately 6 miles from the airport. An exam of the left engine revealed the drive shaft from the fuel pump to the fuel control was sheared at the plastic coupling. Further exam revealed the twin bearings that supported the driveshaft had failed. Also, there was evidence the drive shaft had shifted and subsequently an overtorque condition resulted. All three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision, which resulted in his failure to maintain control of the aircraft. Factors related to the accident were: failure of the left fuel control unit, and the adverse weather conditions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 1900C-1 in Manila: 25 killed

Date & Time: May 18, 1990 at 0623 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RP-C314
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Manila - Surigao
MSN:
UC-46
YOM:
1988
Flight number:
LFT075
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
19
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
25
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Manila-Ninoy Aquino Airport, while climbing to an altitude of about 400 feet, the crew reported engine problems and elected to return for an emergency landing. Shortly later, the aircraft banked right, lost height and nosed down by an angle of 70° before crashing onto a house located in the district of Paranaque, about one km from the airport. The aircraft and the house were destroyed. All 21 occupants as well as four people on the ground were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine during initial climb for undetermined reasons. It was reported that the crew failed to follow emergency procedures which was considered as a contributing factor. When the right engine failed, the aircraft was still in takeoff configuration with flaps and gear down.

Crash of a Douglas DC-6BF in Guatemala City: 27 killed

Date & Time: May 5, 1990 at 1446 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N84BL
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
San Salvador – Guatemala City – Miami
MSN:
43739
YOM:
1952
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
27
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a cargo flight from San Salvador to Miami with an intermediate stop in Guatemala City, carrying a load of clothes and vegetables. After takeoff from Guatemala City-La Aurora Airport, while climbing, the crew declared an emergency after one of the engine failed. The pilot-in-command initiated a left turn when control was lost and the airplane crashed in a residential area located about 8 km southeast of the airport. The aircraft and several houses were destroyed. All three crew members as well as 24 people on the ground were killed and few others were seriously injured.

Crash of a Cessna 421C Golden Eagle III in Boulder: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 1, 1990 at 1540 LT
Registration:
N2655V
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Granby - Denver
MSN:
421C-0702
YOM:
1974
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
10102
Captain / Total hours on type:
528.00
Aircraft flight hours:
4117
Circumstances:
The airplane was observed flying erratically at a low altitude, then enter a left wing, nose low attitude, impacting the ground in a residential area. Autopsies on both occupants included findings of massive traumatic injuries sustained during a struggle. The passenger reportedly planned to take his life by jumping out of an airplane over the mountains of Colorado because he believed he had an inoperable brain tumor.
Probable cause:
A loss of airplane control as a result control interference by the passenger following a struggle between the pilot and the passenger.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 404 Titan II in Boca Raton

Date & Time: Jan 17, 1990 at 0009 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N335GP
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Wilmington - Fort Lauderdale
MSN:
404-0009
YOM:
1976
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1487
Captain / Total hours on type:
35.00
Aircraft flight hours:
3286
Circumstances:
While level after descending, the right engine quit. Pilot feathered the propeller, advised ATC, and was diverting to alternate when left engine quit. He positioned the left engine boost pump to high and low with negative results, but did not feather the propeller. Position of boost pumps, when engines quit, was not determined. Aircraft landed on overpass that was under construction. There was fuel leakage after accident due to aircraft damage. Fuel quantity was sufficient. Examination of aircraft revealed right engine flexible duct from turbocharger to plenum chamber separated due to loose clamp. Hose was installed and club prop installed for each engine run. Both engines operated normally. Induction air hose was pulled during right engine run. Engine ran rough due to excessive rich mixture. No determination could be made for the reason of the left engine power loss.
Probable cause:
Loss of power in the right engine due to a disconnected duct between the turbocharger and the plenum chamber. The reason for the loss of power in the left engine was not determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 60 Duke in Erie: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 28, 1989 at 1201 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N478AD
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Erie - Erie
MSN:
P-59
YOM:
1969
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
3100
Captain / Total hours on type:
2100.00
Circumstances:
The pilot departed on a local VFR flight at 1117. At 1154 he contacted Erie tower for landing. He then advised the tower at 1159 that he had feathered the right engine. One minute later he reported that the left engine was '...kicking out.' The aircraft stalled into a house 6 miles from the airport, and just short of the shoreline of Lake Erie. No fuel was found in the right wing. 7 gallons were drained from the left wing; no fuel was found in the left engine. Right fuel quantity c/b secured in out position by wire tie; several burned components found on back of right fuel quantity gage pc board. Most recent record of fuel purchase which could be found was for May 25, 1989. A pocket diary was found in the wreckage which contained entries of flight times and fuel quantity notations. The accident occurred at 155 Euclide Avenue, Erie, about six miles east of runway 24 threshold. Both occupants were killed.
Pilot:
Floyd E. Smith.
Passenger:
Elwood Graham.
Probable cause:
The pilot's failure to assure that the aircraft had an adequate supply of fuel on board for the intended flight. Contributing factors to the accident were an inoperative right fuel quantity gage which resulted in inaccurate fuel consumption calculations, and an inadvertent stall as the pilot attempted to reach a lake shore for an emergency landing.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402B in Little Rock: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 29, 1989 at 0200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N6382X
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Little Rock - Springdale
MSN:
402B-1345
YOM:
1978
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
10000
Captain / Total hours on type:
1000.00
Circumstances:
The passenger sitting in the copilot's seat stated that she saw fire coming from the right wing and engine area. She stated that she could see a bright 'glow' beneath the skin of the wing. The pilot made a forced landing on a freeway and the aircraft struck a light pole on the highway median. Heavy fire damage was found in the aft portion of the right engine nacelle and right flap assembly. In addition, heavy fire and soot were evident in the interior of the right wing assembly. The passenger was seriously injured and the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
A leak in the aircraft's fuel system which resulted in an in-flight fire. The origin of the fuel leak was not determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 404 Titan II in Banjarmasin: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 2, 1989
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PK-KCC
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
MSN:
404-0077
YOM:
1977
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
On final approach to Banjarmasin-Syamsudin Noor Airport, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the aircraft struck the roof of a house and crashed in a residential area located few hundred meters short of runway. The aircraft and several houses were destroyed. Three passengers were killed while four other occupants as well as 15 people on the ground were injured.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-62M in Havana: 171 killed

Date & Time: Sep 3, 1989 at 1857 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CU-T1281
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Havana - Cologne - Milan
MSN:
3850453
YOM:
1989
Flight number:
CU9646
Country:
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
115
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
171
Captain / Total flying hours:
13000
Captain / Total hours on type:
4761.00
Aircraft flight hours:
1326
Aircraft flight cycles:
254
Circumstances:
Flight CU9646 was a charter flight from Havana to Milan with an intermediate stop in Cologne, carrying Italian tourists. One hour before takeoff, a low pressure zone was located about nine km from the airport of Havana with winds up to 40 km/h. The wind force increased during the last minutes prior to takeoff and the captain decided to takeoff despite unsafe conditions. After takeoff from runway 05, while in initial climb, gear was raised and the crew selected flaps from 30° to 15°. The aircraft encountered difficulties to gain height, struck elements of the ILS antenna located 220 meters past the runway end, struck a hill and crashed in a residential area. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and several houses and buildings were destroyed. Among the 126 occupants, a men aged 22 was seriously injured while all 125 other occupants were killed as well as 45 people on the ground. Eight days later, the only survivor died from his injuries. At least 59 people on the ground were injured. It was determined that wind was gusting up to 100 km/h at the time of the accident with downdrafts and windshear located in the climb path.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of the combination of the following factors:
- The existence of an adverse atmospheric phenomenon of windshear at low altitude, of which existence the captain did not know,
- An unwise decision of the pilot in command to not postpone the takeoff given the existing weather conditions near the airfield.