Crash of a Douglas DC-9-31 in New Hope: 72 killed

Date & Time: Apr 4, 1977 at 1619 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N1335U
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Muscle Shoals - Huntsville - Atlanta
MSN:
47393
YOM:
1970
Flight number:
SO242
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
81
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
72
Captain / Total flying hours:
19380
Captain / Total hours on type:
3205.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
3878
Copilot / Total hours on type:
235
Aircraft flight hours:
15405
Circumstances:
Southern Airways Flight 242, a DC-9-31, operated as a scheduled passenger flight from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, to Atlanta, Georgia, with an intermediate stop at Huntsville, Alabama. Flight 242 departed Muscle Shoals at 15:21 and landed at Huntsville about 15:44. About 15:54, Flight 242 departed Huntsville on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan for the Hartsfield-Atlanta International Airport; there were 81 passengers and 4 crew members aboard. The flight's route was direct to the Rome VOR and then a Rome runway 26 profile descent to Atlanta. Its estimated time en route was 25 min and its requested en route altitude was 17,000 ft. At 15:56, the controller told Flight 242 that his radarscope was showing heavy precipitation and that the echos were about 5 nmi ahead of the flight. At 15:57:36, the controller said, "...you're in what appears to be about the heaviest part of it now, what are your flight conditions." Flight 242 replied, "...we're getting a little light turbulence and...I'd say moderate rain." At 15:57:47, the controller acknowledged Flight 242's report and told the flight to contact Memphis Center. The Memphis Center controller advised the flight that a SIGMET was current for the area. He then told Flight 242 to contact Atlanta Center. At 16:03:20, Flight 242 switched to another sector of Atlanta Center, established communications on the new frequency and reported being level at FL170. As the aircraft entered an area of rain, the flight crew began discussing the weather depicted on their radar. Based on information from the airborne radar, the captain initially decided that the storms just west of the Rome VOR were too severe to penetrate. Shortly after his initial assessment of the storm system, the captain decided to penetrate the storm area near the Rome VOR. At 16:06:41 Atlanta Center cleared Flight 242 to descend to and maintain 14,000 ft. Shortly afterwards the aircraft entered an area of heavy hail or rain, which continued for at least one minute. The ingestion of intense rain and hail into the engines caused the rotational speed of both engines to decrease below the engine-driven electrical generator operating speeds, and resulted in normal electrical power interruption for 36 seconds. The flight crew likely advanced one or both thrust levers, restoring its generator to operation and provide normal electrical power. After establishing contact with Atlanta Center again, the flight was told to maintain 15,000 ft. At 16:09:15, Flight 242 reported to Atlanta Center, "Okay...we just got our windshield busted and... we'll try to get it back up to 15, we're 14." After reported that the left engine had flamed out, the flight was cleared to descend to 13,000 ft. Meanwhile both engines' high-pressure compressors began to stall severely due to ingestion of massive quantities of water. The severe compressor stalls produced an overpressure surge which deflected the compressor blades forward in the sixth stage of the low-pressure compressors; these blades clashed against the fifth-stage stator vanes and broke pieces from the blades and vanes. Pieces of blades and stator vanes were then ingested into the high-pressure compressors and damaged them severely. Continued high thrust settings following the severe damage to the high-pressure compressors probably caused severe overheating in the turbine sections of both engines, and the engines ceased to function. Shortly before normal electrical power was again, the flight crew radioed that both engines had failed. Atlanta Center told the crew to contact approach control for vectors to Dobbins Air Force Base. Power was then lost for 2 min 4 sec until the APU-driven generator restored electrical power. After establishing contact with Atlanta Approach Control the flight was told they were 20 miles from Dobbins. As the flight was descending, the captain began to doubt their ability to reach Dobbins. Cartersville was closer at 15 miles, so the controller gave vectors for Cartersville. Unable to make it to Cartersville, the crew began looking for a clear field or highway for an emergency landing. At 16:18:02, Flight 242's last transmission to Approach Control was recorded: "... we're putting it on the highway, we're down to nothing." The aircraft's outboard left wing section first contacted two trees near State Spur Highway 92 south-southwest of the community of New Hope. About 0.8 miles farther north-northeast, the left wing again contacted a tree alongside the highway within the community of New Hope. The left and right wings continued to strike trees and utility poles on both sides of the highway, and 570 ft after striking the first tree in New Hope, the aircraft's left main gear contacted the highway to the left of the centerline. Almost simultaneously, the outer structure of the left wing struck an embankment, and the aircraft veered to the left and off the highway. The aircraft traveled another 1,260 ft before it came to rest. As it traveled, the aircraft struck road signs, utility poles, fences, trees, shrubs, gasoline pumps at a gas station-store, five automobiles, and a truck. Of the 85 persons aboard Flight 242, 62 were killed, 21 were seriously injured, and 1 was slightly injured. Additionally, eight persons on the ground were killed. Within a month of the accident, one of the surviving passengers and one person on the ground both died of their injuries.
Probable cause:
Total and unique loss of thrust from both engines while the aircraft was penetrating an area of severe thunderstorms. The loss of thrust was caused by the ingestion of massive amounts of water and hail which, in combination with thrust lever movement, induced severe stalling in and major damage to the engine compressors. Major contributing factors include the failure of the company's dispatching system to provide the flight crew with up-to-date severe weather information pertaining to the aircraft's intended route of flight, the captain's reliance on airborne weather radar for penetration of thunderstorm areas, and limitations in the FAA's ATC system which precluded the timely dissemination of real-time hazardous weather information to the flight crew.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402 in Brugam: 5 killed

Date & Time: Mar 1, 1977
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
P2-GKC
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Wewak - Brugam
MSN:
402-0144
YOM:
1967
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
On final approach to Brugam Airstrip, the twin engine airplane stalled and crashed on a school building. All nine occupants on board the aircraft were injured while five schoolboy were killed and four others injured.

Crash of a Piper PA-31T Cheyenne in Harrisburg: 9 killed

Date & Time: Feb 24, 1977 at 0924 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N631PT
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
New Cumberland - Harrisburg - University Park - New Cumberland
MSN:
31-7720001
YOM:
1977
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Captain / Total flying hours:
4469
Captain / Total hours on type:
32.00
Aircraft flight hours:
173
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Harrisburg-Capital City Airport runway 08, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed in flames onto a house located in a populated area in the town of Bressler, 1,55 statute miles from the departure end of runway 08. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all eight occupants were killed as well as one people in the house.
Those on board were:
Crew:
David M. Wolf, pilot,
Edward Soisson, copilot.
Passengers:
William Sherlock, State Transportation Secretary,
Richard C. Frame, State GOP Chairman,
William R. Smith, Sherlock's Chief of Staff,
Charles Wilson, PennDOT Public Relations Officer,
Larry G. Pennsyl, PennDOT photographer,
John W. Krebs, PennDOT data processing manager.
Probable cause:
The probable cause of the accident was the flightcrew's failure to insure that the aircraft was loaded properly and that it's center of gravity was within certificated limits. As a result, the aircraft's control characteristics were degraded significantly by a center of gravity well aft of the certificated limits. This imbalance led to the pilot's inability to control a longitudinally unstable aircraft during a climbing turn in instrument meteorological conditions. There was no evidence of engine failure or malfunction, the flight crew was properly certified and the pilots had no medical or psychological problems. The accident was not survivable.
Final Report:

Crash of a Vickers 838 Viscount in Stockholm: 22 killed

Date & Time: Jan 15, 1977 at 0905 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
SE-FOZ
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Kristianstad – Växjö – Jönköping – Stockholm
MSN:
372
YOM:
1961
Flight number:
OX618
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
19
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
22
Aircraft flight hours:
12208
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a regular schedule flight from Kristianstad to Stockholm-Bromma with intermediate stop in Växjö and Jönköping, carrying 19 passengers and a crew of three on behalf of Linjeflyg. On approach to Bromma Airport, the crew encountered marginal weather and icing conditions. At an altitude of 1,150 feet and a speed of 137 knots, flaps were deployed at an angle of 40° when control was lost. The airplane entered a nose down attitude and crashed at an angle of 110° and a speed of 210 knots in a parking lot located in the residential area of Kälvesta, about 4,5 km short of runway 12 threshold. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all 22 occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were considered as marginal with icing conditions and a horizontal visibility of 5 km with a cloud base at 700 feet.
Probable cause:
Loss of control on final approach due to an excessive accumulation of ice on the horizontal stabilizers after the crew lower the flaps from 32° to 40°. When control was lost, both right engines n°3 and 4 were not running at full power for undetermined reasons, which caused the deicing system to produce an insufficient temperature.

Crash of a Boeing 707-366C in Bangkok: 73 killed

Date & Time: Dec 25, 1976 at 0345 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
SU-AXA
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Rome - Cairo - Bombay - Bangkok - Manila - Tokyo
MSN:
20763/871
YOM:
1973
Flight number:
MS864
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
44
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
73
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Bombay, the crew started the descent to Bangkok-Don Mueang Airport by night. On approach, the pilot reported runway in sight and was cleared to land on runway 21L. On short final, he failed to realize his altitude was too low when the four engine airplane struck the roof of a building and crashed in flames on a spinning factory located 2 km short of runway. The aircraft and several buildings were killed. All 53 occupants on board the B707 were killed as well as 20 people working in the factory. At the time of the accident, the visibility was estimated to be 4 km.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of several errors on part of the flying crew who continued the approach below the minimum safe altitude until impact with ground.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 690A in Culver City: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 21, 1976 at 1423 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N568H
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Santa Barbara – Culver City
MSN:
690-11027
YOM:
1972
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
13785
Captain / Total hours on type:
972.00
Circumstances:
While approaching Culver City Airport on a flight from Santa Barbara, the twin engine airplane collided with a Beechcraft 35-C33 registered N21TH and owned by Steven I. Fendrik. Following the collision, both aircraft entered a dive and crashed in a residential area in Culver City. Both aircraft were destroyed as well as several cars and building. Both pilots on both aircraft were killed while there were no casualties on the ground. Both aircraft were under radar contact and flying in the vicinity of a controlled airport.
Probable cause:
In-flight collision in traffic pattern after the pilot failed to see and avoid other aircraft. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Pilot of other aircraft,
- Mid-air collision on downwind for runway 23.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing 707-131F in Santa Cruz: 113 killed

Date & Time: Oct 13, 1976 at 1332 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N730JP
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Santa Cruz - Miami
MSN:
17671
YOM:
1959
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
113
Circumstances:
After a long takeoff roll, the airplane took off from runway 32 but encountered serious difficulties to gain sufficient height. After liftoff, the airplane continued at a height of about six metres then struck successively trees, houses and power cables before crashing in a huge explosion on a soccer field located about 560 metres past the runway end. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and several houses and buildings were destroyed. All three crew members were killed as well as 110 people on the ground. 32 others were injured, most of them seriously. Weather conditions at the time of the accident were considered as marginal but did not contribute to the mishap.
Probable cause:
It was reported that the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) was unserviceable at the time of the accident while the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) contained only few information as the main cockpit mike was inoperative. Investigators confirmed that the accident was not caused by any engine failure, flight control malfunction or any structural failure. It is believed that the accident was the consequence of a poor flight preparation and wrong takeoff configuration on part of the crew who failed to select the correct takeoff speed. The following factors were considered as contributing:
- Crew fatigue,
- Wrong interpretation of the takeoff situation,
- Non interruption of the takeoff procedure.

Crash of an Antonov AN-2P in Novosibirsk: 5 killed

Date & Time: Sep 26, 1976 at 0816 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-79868
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
1 163 473 12
YOM:
1961
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Aircraft flight hours:
14812
Circumstances:
The pilot decided to commit suicide due to marital problems and took off alone from Novosibirsk-Severny Airport and directed his aircraft into the 4 floor building where his wife and his son were living (ul. Stepnaya, d. 43/1). A strong fire erupted in the staircase and some 30 flats were damaged. The pilot was killed as well as 4 people in the building, among them three children. 11 other were injured, none of them was related to the pilot.
Probable cause:
Pilot suicide.

Crash of a Stinson V-77 Reliant in Twentynine Palms

Date & Time: Jun 22, 1976 at 1830 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N69747
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Lake Havasu – Chino
MSN:
77-490
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3600
Captain / Total hours on type:
110.00
Circumstances:
En route, oil temperature got high and the oil pressure got low. Oil spread on windshield. The engine lost power and the crew attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft struck a cabin and crashed, bursting into flames. Both occupants were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons.
Final Report:

Crash of a Yakovlev Yak-40 in Novgorod: 11 killed

Date & Time: Oct 22, 1975 at 1653 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-87458
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Syktyvkar – Vologda – Novgorod – Riga
MSN:
9 43 17 36
YOM:
1974
Flight number:
SU098L
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Aircraft flight hours:
2002
Aircraft flight cycles:
1500
Circumstances:
The crew encountered poor weather conditions while approaching Novgorod Airport with fog and a visibility below minimums. On final, the crew descended below MDA when the airplane struck the roof of a printing house and crashed in flames on a small residential building (three floors) located three km short of runway. The aircraft and the building were destroyed. All six occupants as well as five people in the building were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the crew to adhere to the published procedure while descending below the MDA in below minima visibility. Due to fog, the crew failed to locate the runway but continued the approach instead of initiating a go-around procedure. Weather information transmitted to the crew did not reflect the truth, which was considered as a contributing factor as well as the lack of ATC assistance.