Indiana

Country:

Region:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

459

Captain / Total hours on type:

155.00

Circumstances:

The crew departed Gary Airport in the early evening on a local flight. While in normal cruise, the airplane went out of control, entered a dive and crashed in a prairie. The aircraft was totally destroyed and both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Loss of control following an improper operation of flight controls on part of dual student. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate supervision of flight on part of the pilot-in-command,
- Attempted operation beyond experience/ability level,
- Aircraft observed to enter a stall followed by a spin,
- The student log had two previous dual flights, one by a CFI.

Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 25B in Richmond

Date & Time: Jul 3, 1975 at 0756 LT

Type of aircraft:

Learjet 25

Operator:

South Central Aviation

Registration:

N428JX

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Toledo – Richmond – Farmingdale

MSN:

25-103

YOM:

1973

Location:

Richmond

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

6800

Captain / Total hours on type:

1600.00

Circumstances:

During the takeoff roll at Richmond Airport, the captain decided to abandon the takeoff procedure and started an emergency braking manoeuvre. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran and collided with trees at full power. The aircraft was destroyed while all eight occupants escaped with minor injuries.

Probable cause:

Aborted takeoff after spontaneous and improper actions on part of the copilot. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Collision with trees,
- Improper operation of powerplant and powerplant controls on part of the copilot,
- Inadequate supervision of flight from the pilot-in-command,
- Both engines at or near takeoff power at impact.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S near Argos: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 1, 1975 at 0130 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft E18

Operator:

Registration:

N140J

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Indianapolis - South Bend

MSN:

BA-334

YOM:

1958

Location:

Argos

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

7000

Captain / Total hours on type:

5000.00

Circumstances:

While in cruising altitude on a cargo flight from Indianapolis to South Bend, the pilot contacted ATC and reported a fire in the cabin. He reduced his altitude when few minutes later, the twin engine airplane struck tree tops and crashed in flames in a wooded area located in the region of Argos. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

In-flight fire for undetermined reason. The following findings were reported:
- Fire in cabin, cockpit, baggage compartment,
- High obstructions.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18 in Madison: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 11, 1974 at 0010 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft E18

Operator:

Madison Nation Airways

Registration:

N1258

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Madison - Lexington

MSN:

BA-435

YOM:

1959

Location:

Madison

Country:

Region:

Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3366

Captain / Total hours on type:

2000.00

Circumstances:

After a night takeoff at Madison Airport, the twin engine airplane encountered difficulties to gain height when it struck tree tops and crashed in a wooded area. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were killed.

Probable cause:

Collision with trees after the crew misjudged altitude and clearance. The following contributing factors were reported:
- High obstructions,
- Hi trees 50 feet AGL on runway heading, 2,300 feet from runway end,
- Landing gear in transit.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I in Plymouth: 5 killed

Date & Time: Nov 14, 1973 at 0932 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N550T

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Hamilton - Plymouth

MSN:

421A-0038

YOM:

1967

Location:

Plymouth

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:

4500

Circumstances:

On approach to Plymouth Airport, the pilot encountered poor visibility due to fog. Too low, the twin engine airplane struck tree tops and crashed in flames few miles short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Improper IFR operation on part of the pilot. The following factors were reported:
- Collision with trees,
- Fog,
- Descended below MDA in marginal weather conditions.

Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed L-1049H Super Constellation in Gary

Date & Time: Sep 24, 1973 at 0054 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

The Holy Nation of Islam

Registration:

N566E

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Los Angeles – Kansas City – Gary

MSN:

4838

YOM:

1958

Location:

Gary

Country:

Region:

Rockwell Aero Commander 520

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

16774

Circumstances:

Upon touchdown, the left main gear collapsed. The aircraft slid on the runway for few dozen yards before coming to rest in flames. All five crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was destroyed. The fire was quickly extinguished.

Probable cause:

Improper level off/touchdown on part of the copilot who was PIC at the time of the accident. Inadequate supervision of flight on part of the captain.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 520 in Michigan City

Date & Time: Aug 25, 1973 at 2030 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

FTI Aviation

Registration:

N2634B

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Traverse City - Michigan City

MSN:

520-146

YOM:

1954

Location:

Michigan City

Country:

Region:

Rockwell Grand Commander 680

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2576

Captain / Total hours on type:

23.00

Circumstances:

On approach to Michigan City on a cargo flight from Traverse City, both engines stopped almost simultaneously. The airplane lost height, struck tree tops and crashed few dozen yards short of runway. The pilot, sole on board, was seriously injured and the airplane was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Both engines failed on final due to mismanagement of fuel. The following factors were reported:
- Inattentive to fuel supply,
- Fuel exhaustion,
- High obstructions,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Pilot misunderstood fuel gauge placard.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680FP near Henryville: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 17, 1970 at 1930 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Results

Registration:

N188HC

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Cincinnati – Liberal

MSN:

680-1220-115

YOM:

1963

Location:

Henryville

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2400

Circumstances:

En route from Cincinnati to Liberal, the twin engine airplane went out of control, entered a dive and crashed in an open field located in the region of Henryville. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Loss of control in flight for undetermined reason. Investigations reported an overload failure and a separation in flight of the elevator assembly (attachments) for unknown reason. The flight phase when the airframe failure occurred remains unknown.

Final Report:

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

Date & Time: Oct 20, 1970 at 1138 LT

Type of aircraft:

Piper PA-31-310 Navajo

Operator:

Gerald R. Hamm

Registration:

N6637L

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Positioning

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Charlotte - Fort Wayne

MSN:

31-575

YOM:

1969

Location:

Fort Wayne

Country:

Region: