Arizona

Flight Type:

Test

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Mesa - Chandler

MSN:

22159

YOM:

1945

Location:

Mesa-Falcon Field

Country:

Region:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

12127

Captain / Total hours on type:

4399.00

Circumstances:

During the takeoff roll at Mesa-Falcon Field Airport, the crew started the rotation but the aircraft did not liftoff. It overran, struck a 10 feet high dirt bank, crossed a road where it hit a truck and eventually came to rest in flames in an orange grove. Both pilots, en route to Chandler-Stellar Airpark on a test flight, were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed by fire.

Probable cause:

Collision with dirt bank on takeoff due to inadequate preflight preparation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to abort takeoff,
- Failed to use the checklist,
- Gust locks engaged.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402B near Hyder

Date & Time: Sep 7, 1978 at 1323 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 402

Operator:

Registration:

N7866Q

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Desert

Schedule:

Yuma - Phoenix

MSN:

402B-0116

YOM:

1971

Location:

Hyder

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

8289

Captain / Total hours on type:

2622.00

Circumstances:

While in cruising altitude on a flight from Yuma to Phoenix, the left engine caught fire after the exhaust pipe separated in flight. The pilot reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing in a desert area located near Hyder, AZ. The airplane crash landed and came to rest in flames. It was destroyed while both occupants escaped with minor injuries.

Probable cause:

Engine fire in flight due to improper maintenance. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Powerplant failure: exhaust system,
- Excessive vibration and then separation of exhaust pipe due to fatigue fracture,
- Fire in engine,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Bolt connecting ball joint on left engine right side found missing.

Final Report:

Crash of a Travel Air 4000 in Tolleson

Date & Time: Jul 12, 1978 at 1900 LT

Type of aircraft:

Travel Air 4000

Operator:

Country Boy Company

Registration:

N609H

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Spraying (Agricultural)

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Tolleson - Tolleson

MSN:

1180

YOM:

1929

Location:

Tolleson

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:

4077

Captain / Total hours on type:

18.00

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Tolleson, the single engine airplane encountered difficulties to gain height, struck power cables and crashed. The pilot was seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Collision with wires/poles during initial climb after the pilot failed to obtain flying speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- High density altitude.

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Grand Canyon: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jun 25, 1977 at 1000 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Orco Aviation

Registration:

N54727

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Grand Canyon-National Park

Schedule:

Riverside - Grand Canyon

MSN:

31-7405250

YOM:

1974

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

720

Captain / Total hours on type:

15.00

Circumstances:

On final approach to Grand Canyon-National Park Airport, the right engine partially failed and the pilot feathered its propeller. The airplane lost height then crashed on a plateau located few miles from the airport. The pilot and four passengers were killed while four others were seriously injured.

Probable cause:

The airplane crashed on a plateau following improper operation of powerplant and powerplant controls. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Lubricating system: lines, hoses, fitting,
- Leakage,
- Rough terrain,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Oil leakage on right engine, propeller feathered,
- No malfunction found,
- Did not boost the left engine power.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 411 near Show Low: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 2, 1975 at 0935 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 411

Operator:

Registration:

N4956T

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Ferry

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Flagstaff - Silver City

MSN:

411-156

YOM:

1966

Location:

Show Low

Country:

Region:

Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

10000

Captain / Total hours on type:

58.00

Circumstances:

While in cruising altitude on a ferry flight from Flagstaff to Silver City, the pilot lost control of the airplane that entered a dive and crashed in flames near Show Low. The aircraft was totally destroyed and the pilot, sole occupant, was killed.

Probable cause:

Loss of control in flight and uncontrolled descent after the pilot suffered physical impairment. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Alcoholic impairment of efficiency and judgment,
- Misjudged altitude,
- Peak gusts 15 knots,
- The pilot suffered a heart attack at an undetermined time,
- Alcohol content 2,6‰.

Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed L-1049H Super Constellation in Mesa: 6 killed

Date & Time: May 11, 1975 at 1640 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Aircraft Specialties Company

Registration:

N45516

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Delivery

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Mesa - Kansas City

MSN:

4840

YOM:

1958

Location:

Mesa-Falcon Field

Country:

Region:

Consolidated PBY Catalina

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

12300

Captain / Total hours on type:

170.00

Circumstances:

Just after liftoff, while in initial climb, all four engines lost power. The captain attempted an emergency landing in a desert area when the airplane struck trees and crashed in flames few miles from the airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed by a post crash fire and all six occupants were killed. They were on their way to Kansas City to deliver the aircraft.

Probable cause:

Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot-in-command. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate supervision of flight,
- Collision with trees,
- Engine structure and powerplant denotation,
- High obstructions,
- Overheated,
- Ran out of ADI fluid,
- All engines damaged internally.

Final Report:

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina in Wikieup: 3 killed

Date & Time: Feb 6, 1975 at 2130 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N5588W

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Survivors:

Site:

Desert

Schedule:

Las Vegas - El Paso

MSN:

920

YOM:

1941

Location:

Wikieup

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

En route from Las Vegas to El Paso, while in cruising altitude, both engines lost power. The crew elected to make an emergency landing when control was lost. The airplane crashed in flames near Wikieup and was destroyed. All three occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Engine failure or malfunction during normal cruise for undetermined reasons. The following findings were reported:
- Collision with dirt bank,
- The crew failed to follow the approved procedures,
- Rough terrain,
- Disregard of good operating practice,
- The pilot declared that both engines lost power,
- Attempted a landing beside a highway in desert,
- No records for other crew personnel.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-54P Skymaster at Davis Monthan AFB

Date & Time: Jan 2, 1975 at 1358 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-54 Skymaster

Operator:

Transvall Corporation

Registration:

N39AP

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Positioning

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Davis-Monthan - Barstow-Daggett

MSN:

10430

YOM:

1944

Location:

Davis-Monthan AFB

Country:

Region:

Landing (descent or approach)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

6409

Captain / Total hours on type:

20.00

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Davis Monthan AFB, the four engine airplane encountered difficulties to gain height. It struck power cables, stalled and crashed in flames. All three occupants were injured while the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the crew. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Collision with wires,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Failed to abort takeoff,
- Gust locks engaged,
- Operational supervisory personnel: inadequate supervision of flight crew,
- Unqualified person operated aircraft,
- Airport conditions,
- Checklist: failed to use,
- Downwind,
- Mechanic acting as copilot,
- 3,060 feet soft dirt strip.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 340 in Phoenix: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 27, 1974 at 1040 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 340

Operator:

Ronald Brinkhoff

Registration:

N9950F

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

San Diego – Phoenix

MSN:

340-0177

YOM:

1972

Location:

Phoenix-Sky Harbor

Country:

Region: