Crash of a Fokker F27 Friendship 200 in Manila: 33 killed

Date & Time: Sep 14, 1978 at 1450 LT
Type of aircraft:
Fokker F27 Friendship
Operator:
Registration:
10328
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
City
Schedule:
Laoag - Nichols AFB
MSN:
10328
YOM:
1967
Location:
Nichols AFB (Manila)
Metro Manila
Country:
Philippines
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
24
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
33
Aircraft flight hours:
11726
Aircraft flight cycles:
11307
Circumstances:
The airplane was completing a special flight from Laoag to Nichols AFB (Manila Intl Airport) on behalf of the Philippines Presidency, carrying soldiers, policemen, journalists and members of the government security agency flying back to Manila after taking part to the celebrations of the 61st anniversary of the President Ferdinand Marcos. On final approach to runway 06 in poor weather conditions, the airplane lost height, struck 10 houses and crashed in a swampy area located few hundred meters short of runway threshold. Seven occupants in the airplane were rescued while 21 others were killed as well as 12 people on the ground. 20 other people on the ground were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the airplane lost height on final approach due to windshear. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were poor with thunderstorm activity, winds up to 35 knots, heavy rain falls and turbulences.

Crash of a Partenavia P.68B in Melbourne: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jul 10, 1978 at 1853 LT
Type of aircraft:
Partenavia P.68
Operator:
Speedair
Registration:
VH-PNW
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
City
Schedule:
Melbourne - Melbourne
MSN:
65
YOM:
1976
Location:
Melbourne-Essendon
Victoria
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
3512
Captain / Total hours on type:
2.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
288
Copilot / Total hours on type:
34
Aircraft flight hours:
819
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was engaged in a local training flight at MelBourne-Essendon Airport, carrying one instructor, a pilot under supervision and a pilot's friend as passenger. Shortly after takeoff from runway 26, while climbing to a height of 200-250 feet, the pilot-under-supervision selected the wing flaps up and, at about this time, the pilot-in-command simulated an engine failure of one engine by closing a mixture control-believed to have been the starboard engine. The pilot-under-supervision identified the 'failed' engine, exercised the appropriate engine throttle to signify this identification and indicated the essential actions which would be taken in the event of an actual engine failure. The relevant controls were not operated. Following the completion of these actions full engine power was restored by the pilot-in-command. During the course of the simulated engine failure the aircraft assumed a nose down attitude. It then descended straight ahead with full engine power, passed through electric power cables outside the airport boundary at a height of 4.15 metres above terrain, and crashed into houses 286 metres beyond the western end of the runway. All three occupants were seriously injured while six people on the ground were killed, a seventh was injured as well.
Probable cause:
The cause of the accident was that the aircraft became grossly out of trim at a height which did not permit time for the crew to affect recovery. The manner in which the out-of-trim condition occurred has not been determined and the possibility of a trim system malfunction cannot be eliminated. However, the more likely explanation is that the command trim switch was activated unknowingly.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-A90 King Air in Aurora: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jul 10, 1978 at 1046 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 90 King Air
Operator:
Great Western Mineral Corporation
Registration:
N278DU
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
City
Schedule:
Denver - Richfield
MSN:
LJ-243
YOM:
1967
Location:
Aurora
Colorado
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:
2715
Captain / Total hours on type:
810.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Denver-Stapleton Airport, while climbing, the left engine failed. The pilot lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed in flames in the Aurora district. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all six occupants were killed. There were no injuries on the ground.
Probable cause:
Stall during initial climb due to engine failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failure of the fuel pump system,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Improperly loaded aircraft,
- Left engine boost pump inoperative, switched off,
- Crossfeed off,
- Approximately 700 lbs over max gross weight.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-A80 Queen Air in Mexico City: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jun 16, 1978 at 1630 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 80 Queen Air
Operator:
Registration:
XB-ABG
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
City
Schedule:
Tampico – Mexico City – Martinez de la Torre
Location:
Mexico City-Benito Juarez
Federal District of Mexico City
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was performing an executive flight from Tampico to Martinez de la Torre, Veracruz, with an intermediate stop in Mexico City. On final approach, one of the engine apparently failed. The airplane lost height, struck antennas and the roofs of several houses before crashing in flames in the district of Jardín Balbuena, about 3 km short of runway 05. One of the occupant survived while five others were killed.
Crew:
Jorge Azcárraga, pilot,
Mario Vértiz, copilot.
Passengers:
Mario Bairón,
J. Haele,
Enrique Silva,
Javier Ortiz.
Probable cause:
Engine failure for undetermined reasons.

Crash of a Piper PA-31P Pressurized Navajo in São Paulo: 3 killed

Date & Time: Feb 27, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
Operator:
Taquari Agro Comercial
Registration:
PT-DTK
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
City
MSN:
31-62
YOM:
1968
Location:
São Paulo-Congonhas
São Paulo
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from São Paulo-Congonhas Airport, while climbing, the pilot encountered an unexpected situation and attempted to return for an emergency landing when the airplane went out of control and crashed in flames on a road located near the airport. All three occupants were killed and two people on the ground were injured.

Crash of a Grumman G-21A Goose in Miami Lakes

Date & Time: Dec 13, 1977 at 1315 LT
Type of aircraft:
Grumman G-21A Goose
Operator:
Worldwide Aviation Distributors
Registration:
N23DF
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Demonstration
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
City
Schedule:
Miami - Miami
MSN:
1133
YOM:
1942
Location:
Miami-Opa Locka
Florida
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:
4985
Captain / Total hours on type:
935.00
Circumstances:
While completing a local demo flight at Miami-Opa Locka Airport, both engines failed. The pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed onto several houses in Miami Lakes, west of the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Engine failure during traffic pattern/circling and subsequent collision with buildings due to mismanagement of fuel. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inattentive to fuel supply,
- Fuel starvation,
- Failed to use the checklist,
- Failure of both engines,
- 70 gallons of fuel in right tank,
- Left tank empty.
Final Report:

Crash of an Avro 748-2-232 in Manila: 5 killed

Date & Time: Oct 18, 1977
Type of aircraft:
Avro 748
Operator:
Registration:
PK-RHS
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
City
Schedule:
Manila - Manila
MSN:
1610
YOM:
1967
Location:
Manila-Ninoy Aquino
Metro Manila
Country:
Philippines
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The airplane was involved in a local training flight at Manila-Intl Airport, carrying two passengers and a crew of three. While completing a go-around maneuver with one engine out, the pilot-in-command lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed into several houses located near the airport. Both pilots and three people on the ground were killed while three other occupants were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The crew overestimated aircraft performances and showed overconfidence. At the time of the accident, the aircraft's speed was too low, causing it to stall.

Crash of a Beechcraft G18S in Coraopolis

Date & Time: Aug 17, 1977 at 0541 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft G18S
Operator:
Flight Express Cargo
Registration:
N75FA
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
City
Schedule:
Pittsburgh - Cleveland
MSN:
BA-498
YOM:
1960
Location:
Pittsburgh-Intl
Pennsylvania
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
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Pittsburgh-Intl Airport, while climbing, the right engine failed. The pilot-in-command initiated a right turn and attempted to return to the airport when the airplane stalled and crashed in flames in a residential area located in Coraopolis, about three miles northeast of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were seriously injured. There were no injuries on the ground.
Probable cause:
Engine malfunction and stall during initial climb due to powerplant, fuel system, carburetor failure. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fuel system, carburetor improperly installed, leakage,
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Improper operation of powerplant and powerplant controls,
- Attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Right engine not feathered,
- Turned aircraft toward dead engine while returning to airport.
Final Report:

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-20 Islander in Caracas

Date & Time: Jun 15, 1977
Type of aircraft:
Britten-Norman Islander
Operator:
Registration:
YV-O-MAR-6
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Government
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
City
Schedule:
Puerto Cabello - Caracas
MSN:
203
YOM:
1970
Location:
Caracas
Caracas Federal District
Country:
Venezuela
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was performing a flight from Puerto Cabello to Caracas on behalf of the Venezuelan Government. While approaching the Francisco de Miranda AFB, both engines failed simultaneously. The pilot reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing on a highway located in La Araña, about nine km west of the airport. Upon landing, the airplane struck few cars and came to rest. Four occupants were injured while four others were unhurt. No one was hurt on the ground.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure on approach caused by a fuel exhaustion.

Crash of a Hawker-Siddeley HS.125-600A in McLean: 4 killed

Date & Time: Apr 28, 1977 at 2038 LT
Type of aircraft:
BAe 125
Operator:
Southern Services
Registration:
N40PC
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
City
Schedule:
Washington DC - Birmingham
MSN:
256010
YOM:
1973
Location:
McLean
Virginia
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
7807
Captain / Total hours on type:
1900.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4049
Copilot / Total hours on type:
114
Aircraft flight hours:
1904
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Washington-National Airport bound for Birmingham, Alabama. Four minutes later, while climbing to an altitude of 9,300 feet, monitoring radar stations lost continuous reception of the aircraft's primary and secondary radar target information. Shortly thereafter, ground witnesses saw an explosion in the sky followed by the wreckage of the aircraft falling to the ground. the sky was overcast and light rain was falling. The four persons aboard were killed and the aircraft was destroyed. One residence and two automobiles were destroyed by impact and fire and several other homes were damaged by falling debris.
Probable cause:
A failure or malfunction of an undetermined nature in the pilot's attitude indicating system which led to a loss of control and overstress of the aircraft structure.
Final Report:
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