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Crash of a Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanker at Beale AFB

Date & Time: Apr 28, 1977 at 0345 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
Operator:
Registration:
58-0101
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Beale - Beale
MSN:
17846/316
YOM:
1959
Location:
Beale AFB
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
7821
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a night training mission at Beale AFB consisting of touch-and-goes. After touchdown, the airplane collided with cattle roaming on runway. Decision to abort was taken but unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran and came to rest in flames. All seven occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was destroyed. Five cattle were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that a fence was broken and six cattle walked through and on to the main runway. Due to limited visibility caused by night, pilots and ATC failed to see the animals.

Crash of a Rockwell T-39D Sabreliner near San Diego: 5 killed

Date & Time: Apr 4, 1977
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell T-39 Sabreliner
Operator:
Registration:
150545
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
277-4
YOM:
1963
Location:
San Diego
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances 30 miles east of San Diego while completing a reconnaissance mission. All five crew members were killed.

Crash of a Cessna 411 in Spring Valley Lake: 7 killed

Date & Time: Apr 1, 1977 at 1703 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 411
Operator:
EA Miller Inc.
Registration:
N9100V
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Santa Ana - Logan
MSN:
411-0289
YOM:
1969
Location:
Spring Valley Lake
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Captain / Total flying hours:
3242
Captain / Total hours on type:
1058.00
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Santa Ana-John Wayne Airport, from climb to cruise, the twin engine airplane entered adverse weather conditions when control was lost. The airplane entered a dive and crashed near Spring Valley Lake. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all seven occupants were killed. The wreckage was found a day later.
Probable cause:
Loss of control during climb to cruise after the pilot initiated flight in adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- High obstructions,
- Below minimums.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Oakland: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 12, 1977 at 0508 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
Operator:
California Air Charter - Cal Air Charter
Registration:
N6616L
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Fresno - Oakland
MSN:
31-549
YOM:
1969
Location:
Oakland
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
3642
Circumstances:
On final approach to Oakland Airport by night, the left engine failed. The pilot lost control of the airplane that lost height, hit wires/poles and crashed short of runway. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure on final approach after the pilot attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Fuel starvation,
- High obstructions,
- Left engine boost pump written up as inoperative,
- Left fuel gage showed 1/2, right showed empty, crossfeed ON.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed 18-56 LodeStar in Truckee

Date & Time: Feb 21, 1977 at 1620 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 18 LodeStar
Operator:
Registration:
N100GP
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
2571
YOM:
1943
Location:
Truckee
California
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
Captain / Total flying hours:
7191
Captain / Total hours on type:
15.00
Circumstances:
Just after liftoff, while in initial climb, the twin engine airplane encountered difficulties to gain height. It stall, struck the ground and crashed in flames. Both occupants were injured while the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Stall during initial climb due to inadequate preflight preparation on part of the crew. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Airframe ince,
- 12 inches spanwise ice strip on upper wing surface.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45H Expeditor in Sonoma: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 16, 1977 at 0400 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
Operator:
John D. Fonseca
Registration:
N9497Z
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
AF-390
YOM:
1953
Location:
Sonoma-Skypark
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
1000
Circumstances:
While descending to Sonoma-Skypark by night and low clouds, the twin engine airplane stalled and crashed. Both occupants were killed. A witness at airport heard the aircraft flying low over hanger, turning south, engines surge then silence. At the time of the accident, the visibility was 2 miles or less.
Probable cause:
Stall during traffic pattern-circling after the pilot failed to maintain flying speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Attempted operation beyond experience/ability level,
- Exercised poor judgment,
- Low ceiling.
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 24B near Palm Springs: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jan 6, 1977 at 1700 LT
Type of aircraft:
Learjet 24
Operator:
Jet Avia
Registration:
N12MK
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Palm Springs - Las Vegas
MSN:
24-192
YOM:
1969
Location:
Palm Springs
California
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:
4150
Captain / Total hours on type:
532.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Palm Springs Airport, while climbing by night at an altitude of 9,700 feet, the airplane struck a mountain located in the San Gorgonio Wilderness of the San Bernardino Mountains, about 22 miles northwest of Palm Springs. Due to very poor weather conditions, rescuers were able to reach the crash site three days later only. The aircraft struck the ground at a speed of 325 knots and disintegrated on impact. All four occupants were killed.
Crew:
Donald J. Weier,
Jerald Wayne Foley.
Passengers:
Dolly Sinatra, Frank Sinatra's mother,
Ann Carbone.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain during climb to cruise after the crew misunderstood ATC instructions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Lack of visibility,
- High obstructions,
- Crew misinterpreted IFR clearance and ATC instructions,
- ATC failed to detect deviation from route.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed P-1 Ventura in the Yosemite National Park: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 9, 1976
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed PV-1 Ventura
Operator:
Red River Ranch Inc.
Registration:
N80BD
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Baja - Reno
MSN:
5375
YOM:
1943
Location:
Yosemite National Park
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
5000
Circumstances:
The crew was completing an illegal flight from Mexico to Reno. En route, the twin engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in the Yosemite National Park. SAR operations were initiated but eventually suspended after few days as no trace of the aircraft nor both occupants was found. Walkers found the wreckage in an isolated area on 14 June 1977.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined. However, the following findings were reported:
- Airframe failure,
- Wing attachment fittings, bolts,
- Overload failure,
- Separation in flight,
- Transportation of narcotics.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601P) in Costa Mesa: 5 killed

Date & Time: Dec 5, 1976 at 1612 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601)
Operator:
Continental Interiors
Registration:
N7485S
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Mazatlán – San Diego – Santa Ana
MSN:
61-0052-097
YOM:
1970
Location:
Santa Ana-John Wayne
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
571
Captain / Total hours on type:
149.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Santa Ana-John Wayne Airport, while at low altitude, the left engine failed. The pilot lost control of the airplane that spun to the ground and crashed in Costa Mesa, about 2,5 miles short of runway 02L. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants have been killed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure and stall on final approach due to mismanagement of fuel. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fuel starvation,
- Misjudged distance and altitude,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Poorly planned approach,
- Left propeller not feathered,
- Long low final,
- Got below VMC.
Final Report:

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

Date & Time: Oct 21, 1976 at 1423 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 690
Operator:
Registration:
N568H
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
City
Schedule:
Santa Barbara – Culver City
MSN:
690-11027
YOM:
1972
Location:
Culver City
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
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:
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