Michigan

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Detroit - Flint

MSN:

23-056

YOM:

1965

Location:

Flint-Bishop

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

18320

Captain / Total hours on type:

1648.00

Circumstances:

The approach to Flint-Bishop Airport runway 27 was completed in poor weather conditions with limited visibility due to snow falls. On final, the airplane stalled then rolled to the right to an angle of 45° and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were killed. They were completing a cargo flight from Detroit-Willow Run (Ypsilanti) Airport.

Probable cause:

Stall on final approach after the crew failed to maintain flying speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to initiate go-around,
- Improper operation of flight controls,
- ATC issued improper or conflicting instructions,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Poorly planned approach,
- Pilot had limited recent jet experience,
- Vectored and cleared for ILS back course 3NM southeast of middle marker.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 411 in Berz-Macomb: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 29, 1976 at 1540 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 411

Operator:

J & L Aircraft

Registration:

N411EF

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

411-0081

YOM:

1965

Location:

Berz-Macomb (Detroit)

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:

500

Circumstances:

While approaching Berz-Macomb Airport, the right engine failed. The pilot lost control of the airplane that entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed. Both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Engine failure and uncontrolled descent on final approach due to valve assemblies failure. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Material failure,
- Attempted operation beyond experience/ability level,
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Partial loss of power on one engine,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- 6th exhaust valve guide,
- Feathered engine capable of producing power,
- Not multi engine rated.

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Spring Lake: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 11, 1976 at 1636 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Centurion Builders

Registration:

N74941

Flight Phase:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Traverse City - Grand Haven

MSN:

31-7305086

YOM:

1973

Location:

Spring Lake

Country:

Region:

Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1798

Captain / Total hours on type:

221.00

Circumstances:

While approaching Grand Haven Airport, both engines stopped quite simultaneously. The pilot lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed in Spring Lake, about three miles north of the airfield. Seven passengers were seriously injured while the pilot and an eighth passenger were killed.

Probable cause:

Engine failure on final approach due to mismanagement of fuel. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fuel starvation,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment,
- Fuel system: pumps,
- Right boost pump inoperative,
- Crossing feed used to start the right engine,
- Crossing feed found ON,
- Left inboard tank dry.

Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanker near Alpena: 15 killed

Date & Time: Sep 26, 1976 at 0830 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

61-0296

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Kenneth Ingalls Sawyer - Oscoda-Wurtsmith

MSN:

18203/518

YOM:

1962

Location:

Alpena

Country:

Region:

Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

6109

Circumstances:

The four engine airplane departed Kenneth Ingalls Sawyer AFB in the early morning on a flight to Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport. En route, the partially disintegrated in the air, entered a dive and crashed in a swampy area located 12,5 miles southwest of Alpena. 15 occupants were killed while five others were rescued.

Probable cause:

The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty but the assumption that the aircraft partially disintegrated in the air following a possible cabin pressurization problem was not ruled out.

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45G Expeditor in Detroit: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 9, 1976 at 1846 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N34CB

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Detroit-City (Coleman A. Young)

Schedule:

Detroit - Dayton

MSN:

AF-384

YOM:

1951

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

11763

Captain / Total hours on type:

5000.00

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Detroit-City Airport, the twin engine airplane encountered difficulties to gain height. It struck power cables, stalled and crashed. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Engine malfunction during initial climb. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Collision with wires/poles,
- Improper operation of powerplant and powerplant controls,
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Fuel starvation,
- High obstructions,
- Foreign object damage,
- Both propellers feathered,
- Left fuel selector OFF position,
- Foreign object damage on right engine impeller,
- Fuel system different from other company aircraft.

Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed C-130A Hercules in Imlay City: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jul 26, 1975

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

Operator:

Registration:

57-0454

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Selfridge - Selfridge

MSN:

3161

YOM:

1958

Location:

Imlay City

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew departed Selfridge AFB (ANG) for a training mission. While cruising about 45 miles north of Detroit, the crew lost control of the airplane that crashed in an open field located in Imlay City. The aircraft was destroyed and all six crew members were killed.

Probable cause:

A propeller blade separated from the engine n°3 in flight and struck the engine n°4. Control was lost.

Crash of a Rockwell Sabreliner 75A in Pontiac: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 23, 1975 at 1953 LT

Type of aircraft:

Rockwell Sabreliner 75

Operator:

Registration:

N5107

Flight Phase:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Detroit - Pontiac

MSN:

380-8

YOM:

1974

Location:

Pontiac-Oakland County

Country:

Region:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

15934

Captain / Total hours on type:

82.00

Circumstances:

The approach to Pontiac-Oakland County Airport was initiated by night and poor weather conditions. On final, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the aircraft struck trees and crashed in flames about four miles short of runway. The copilot was killed while the captain was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Improper IFR operation on part of the crew. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Poor crew coordination,
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Fog,
- Digital frequence RNAV system in use.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 414 Chancellor in Jackson

Date & Time: Oct 20, 1974 at 0653 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 414 Chancellor

Operator:

Holloway Construction

Registration:

N414HC

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Jackson - Plymouth

MSN:

414-0418

YOM:

1973

Location:

Jackson-Reynolds Field

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

10235

Captain / Total hours on type:

600.00

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Jackson-Reynolds Field, the twin engine airplane encountered difficulties to gain height. It stalled then crashed near the runway end. The pilot was injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot who failed to clean the aircraft prior to departure. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to abort takeoff,
- Airframe ice,
- Ice on windshield,
- All upper surfaces of aircraft covered with approximately 1/4 inch - 3/8 inches of frozen snow,
- Hit ground nose high and left wing low.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft H18 in Iron Mountain: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 17, 1974 at 0151 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft H18

Operator:

Registration:

N72FA

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Postal (mail)

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Lansing - Iron Mountain

MSN:

BA-631

YOM:

1962

Location:

Iron Mountain

Country:

Region: