California

Country:

Region:

Landing (descent or approach)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

6089

Circumstances:

The crew departed Castle AFB on a training mission. After completing a simulated emergency descent from FL390 to FL230, the pilot-in-command initiated a sharp turn when control was lost. The airplane crashed on Mt Lassen and was totally destroyed. All nine crew members were killed.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the loss of control was the consequence of the physical loss of the stabilizer which detached during the sharp turn, maybe due to overload.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Dove 1 in Colusa County

Date & Time: Jul 9, 1968 at 0954 LT

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.104 Dove

Operator:

J. Fender & Partner

Registration:

N4914V

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

04273

YOM:

1949

Location:

Colusa County

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2200

Captain / Total hours on type:

250.00

Circumstances:

While completing a regional executive flight, one of the engine failed in flight. The pilot decided to divert to Colusa County but on approach, his position was wrong so he decided to make a go-around when the airplane struck power cables, stalled and crashed in a field. All four occupants were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

The accident was the consequence of the following factors:
- Engine failure,
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Fuel starvation,
- Improper in-flight decision,
- Improper decision to abort landing while on single engine.

Final Report:

Crash of a Waco UIC in San Luis Obispo: 4 killed

Date & Time: Apr 27, 1968 at 1314 LT

Type of aircraft:

Waco UIC

Operator:

Registration:

N13066

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

San Luis Obispo - San Luis Obispo

MSN:

3716

YOM:

1933

Location:

San Luis Obispo

Country:

Region:

Landing (descent or approach)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After completing touch-and-go, the pilot increased engine power and elected to takeoff. While climbing, the airplane stalled and crashed, killing all four occupants.

Probable cause:

The pilot failed to obtain/maintain flying speed and the aircraft entered an abnormally steep climb after touch-and-go and crashed.

Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed P-3B-95-LO Orion at Moffett AFB

Date & Time: Apr 11, 1968

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed P-3 Orion

Operator:

Registration:

A9-296

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Test

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Moffett - Moffett

MSN:

5406

YOM:

1968

Location:

Moffett AFB

Country:

Region:

Rockwell Aero Commander 680

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was completing a local test flight on this new aircraft which should be delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force. Upon landing, one of the main landing gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest in flames. While all four crew members escaped uninjured, the aircraft was destroyed by fire.

Probable cause:

Undercarriage collapsed upon landing.

Crash of a Rockwell Commander 680E near Lake Hughes: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 7, 1968 at 1723 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N6243B

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Location:

Lake Hughes

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While completing a regional executive flight, the pilot encountered technical problems en route and elected to make an emergency landing. While flying over mountainous terrain, he attempted a wheels-up landing on a hillside when the airplane crashed. The burned wreckage was found a day later and the pilote, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Improper operation of powerplant on part of the pilot. Conditions conducive to carburetor/induction systems icing.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in San Diego: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 8, 1968 at 1040 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft E18

Operator:

Imperial Commuter

Registration:

N82B

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

San Diego-Lindbergh Field

MSN:

BA-149

YOM:

1956

Location:

Country:

Region:

Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

7224

Captain / Total hours on type:

477.00

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Lindbergh Field, while climbing at a height of 50 feet, the pilot made a sharp turn when the aircraft stalled and crashed ion flames. A passenger was seriously injured while three other occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Engine failure after rotation caused by a cracked shroud on the third stage stator assembly due to fatigue fracture. The pilot used minimum runway length for takeoff and minimum takeoff speed.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45H Expeditor in Sanger: 3 killed

Date & Time: Nov 25, 1967 at 0405 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Priority Air Services

Registration:

N9450Z

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Postal (mail)

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

AF-247

YOM:

1952

Location:

Sanger

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2200

Captain / Total hours on type:

1400.00

Circumstances:

On a night approach to Sanger Airport, the copilot informed ground about an engine failure. The crew was unable to maintain a safe altitude when the airplane stalled and crashed few miles short of runway. All three occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, the airplane was approximately 827 lbs above gross weight.

Probable cause:

Powerplant failure for undetermined reason. Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the flying crew and improperly loaded aircraft (weight and/or CofG).

Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon in Palm Springs

Date & Time: Sep 23, 1967 at 0712 LT

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed P-2 Harpoon

Operator:

Registration:

N7436C

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Ferry

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

15-1502

YOM:

1945

Location:

Palm Springs

Country:

Region:

Grumman HU-16 (SA-16) Albatross

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

13000

Captain / Total hours on type:

600.00

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Palm Springs Airport, the right engine failed. The crew elected to make an emergency landing, reduced his altitude and was able to land in a prairie near the airport. While both occupants were uninjured, the airplane was considered as damaged beyond repair. Initially manufactured as a Lockheed PV-2D Harpoon for the US Navy, the airplane was later converted by Oakland Airmotive Corporation as an 'Oakland Centaurus' prototype.

Probable cause:

Failure of the piston n° 13 of the right engine, resulting in exhaust and intake valves remaining open.

Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman HU-16E Albatross near San Luis Obispo: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 7, 1967

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

2128

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

MSN:

G-355

YOM:

1953

Location:

San Luis Obispo

Country:

Region: