Alabama

Schedule:

Mobile - Ocala

MSN:

31-456

YOM:

1969

Location:

Mobile-Bates Field

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1500

Captain / Total hours on type:

30.00

Circumstances:

The twin engine airplane was engaged in a demonstration flight from Mobile to Ocala, Florida, carrying five passengers and one pilot. After takeoff, the airplane encountered serious difficulties to gain height, stalled and crashed. All six occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Stall during initial climb due to inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft on part of the pilot,
- The pilot failed to use or misused flaps,
- The pilot failed to obtain/maintain flying speed,
- High temperature,
- Improperly loaded aircraft,
- The aircraft was 449 lbs over max gross weight, out of forward cg limit,
- Flaps were full down at takeoff.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-80 Queen Air in Mobile: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 27, 1978 at 1640 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft 80 Queen Air

Operator:

Solaqueen

Registration:

N975SQ

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Houston - Mobile

MSN:

LD-78

YOM:

1963

Location:

Mobile-Bates Field

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3572

Captain / Total hours on type:

2150.00

Circumstances:

On final approach to Mobile-Bates Field, the pilot was advised by tower that the landing gear were up. The pilot initiated a go-around and made a steep slow climb during which he lowered the gear. The aircraft stalled and crashed in flames. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Stall during a go-around after the pilot failed to maintain flying speed. the following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Failed to extend landing gear,
- Delayed in initiating go-around,
- Powerplant-instruments: fuel pressure gauge leak,
- Fumes in cabin.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft A100 King Air in Muscle Shoals

Date & Time: Jun 22, 1978 at 0712 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft 100 King Air

Operator:

Registration:

N941K

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Chattanooga - Muscle Shoals

MSN:

B-111

YOM:

1972

Location:

Muscle Shoals

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

20834

Captain / Total hours on type:

24.00

Circumstances:

On final approach to Muscle Shoals Airport, the airplane lost speed, stalled and crashed short of runway. All six occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Stall on final approach after the pilot-in-command failed to maintain flying speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper operation of powerplant and powerplant controls,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Fog,
- Poor crew coordination,
- Visibility one mile or less,
- The pilot-in-command reduced props instead of throttles.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402B in Tuscaloosa: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 1, 1978 at 2022 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 402

Operator:

Dixie Air

Registration:

N8210Q

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Montgomery - Tuscaloosa

MSN:

402B-0390

YOM:

1973

Location:

Tuscaloosa

Country:

Region:

Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

7000

Captain / Total hours on type:

1500.00

Circumstances:

On final approach to Tuscaloosa Airport by night, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck trees and crashed few hundred yards short of runway 04 threshold. The pilot was seriously injured while the passenger was killed.

Probable cause:

Collision with trees and undershoot on final approach after the pilot misjudged distance and altitude. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Rain,
- Fog,
- High obstructions,
- Visibility 3 miles or less,
- Drizzle,
- Runway 04 also has sequential flasher and steady burner type approach lights.

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Anniston: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 6, 1978 at 0935 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

United Brands

Registration:

TI-AFY

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Fort Lauderdale – Anniston

MSN:

31-7652075

YOM:

1976

Location:

Anniston

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3300

Captain / Total hours on type:

600.00

Circumstances:

On approach to Anniston Airport, the pilot encountered low ceiling and fog and descended too low when, at an altitude of 1,650 feet, the twin engine airplane struck a mountain located 7,5 miles beyond airport. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain during a missed approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Sky overcast,
- Visibility three miles or less,
- Weather above minima.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 441 Conquest II in Demopolis: 7 killed

Date & Time: Nov 15, 1977 at 1811 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 441 Conquest

Operator:

Registration:

N9971G

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Demonstration

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Birmingham - Mobile

MSN:

441-0006

YOM:

1977

Location:

Demopolis

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1967

Captain / Total hours on type:

16.00

Circumstances:

The twin engine airplane departed Birmingham with one pilot and six potential customers on board for a demonstration flight to Mobile. While in normal cruise, the airplane suffered a complete in-flight breakup, dove into the ground and crashed near Demopolis. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all seven occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Airframe failure in flight due to poor/inadequate design. The following findings were reported:
- Flight control systems: elevator and elevator tab control system,
- Flutter,
- Flight control surfaces: elevator assembly, attachments,
- Separation in flight.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 100 King Air in Auburn: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 27, 1977 at 0740 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft 100 King Air

Operator:

Registration:

N925BD

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Auburn-Opelika-Robert G. Pitts (University Regional)

Schedule:

Birmingham - Auburn

MSN:

B-4

YOM:

1970

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

15000

Captain / Total hours on type:

1500.00

Circumstances:

On approach to Auburn-Opelika-Robert G. Pitts (University Regional) Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with low ceiling and fog. On final, the twin engine airplane struck trees, stalled and crashed in a wooded area located few hundred yards short of runway threshold. Two occupants were injured while a pilot was killed. It was reported that trees in area of first impact were about 73 feet below airport elevation and 650 feet below MDA.

Probable cause:

Collision with trees on final approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Visibility half a mile or less,
- Sky obscured.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft G18S in Troy: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 6, 1975 at 0350 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft G18S

Operator:

Semo Aviation

Registration:

N6614B

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Postal (mail)

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Montgomery - Dothan

MSN:

BA-487

YOM:

1960

Location:

Troy

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1921

Captain / Total hours on type:

641.00

Circumstances:

While cruising by night under VFR mode, the pilot's attention diverted from operation and he failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck trees and crashed near Troy. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Collision with trees during normal cruise after the pilot diverted attention from operation of aircraft. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Misjudged altitude,
- Continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions,
- Operated carelessly,
- Dense fog in area.

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo off Fairhope: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 19, 1975 at 1242 LT

Type of aircraft:

Piper PA-31-310 Navajo

Operator:

Registration:

N1FP

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Fairhope-H. L. Sonny Callahan

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Hattiesburg - Fairhope

MSN:

31-768

YOM:

1971

Location:

Country:

Region: