Michigan

United Flight 2885 departed Cleveland at 01:15 for a cargo flight to Los Angeles via Detroit. The DC-8 arrived at Detroit at 01:52. Cargo for Detroit was unloaded, the airplane was refueled, and cargo for Los Angeles was loaded. The engines were started, and then the crew called for taxi instructions at 02:45:58. During the taxi, the flightcrew accomplished the before takeoff checklist. The second officer called "trim" and the first officer responded "set". The flightcrew however, inadvertently overlooked setting the stabilizer trim for takeoff, and the setting of 7.5 units ANU was the previous landing trim setting. At 02:49:16, the captain, the first officer, and the second officer discussed the idea of the first officer switching seats with the second officer. They then switched seats about 02:49:40. United 2885 called for clearance onto runway 21R at 02:49:58 and was cleared for takeoff at 02:50:03. The throttles were advanced for takeoff at 02:51:05 and power stabilized 7 seconds later. Speed callouts "eighty knots" and "Vee One" were called by the captain and the airplane broke ground about 02:51:41. The airplane continued to climb with wings level to about 1,000 feet. The airplane then rolled to the right in a gradual right turn until it was in a wings vertical position (right wing down, left wing up) and crashed into a freshly plowed farm field.

At approximately 90 knots after liftoff from a touch-and-go the copilot, who was flying from the left seat, indicated problems with the right engine. The pilot had been observing trucks on the right side of the runway. He stated they could have set it back down except he thought they might swerve into the trucks. He was not specifically looking at the instruments because of the trucks. He took control and the aircraft settled adjacent to the runway and burst into flames. Inspection of the right engine revealed all but one of the 12 spark plugs were sooty. The plugs were installed in a new engine and the engine obtained takeoff rpm.

The pilot, sole on board, departed Fraser Airport on a local private flight. While circling in the vicinity of the airfield, he reported an engine fire and elected to return when the airplane crashed in a field, bursting into flames. The pilot was killed.

After takeoff from Muskegon-County Airport, while in initial climb, the twin engine airplane lost height and crashed thru the extended centerline of the nearest runway. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all five occupants were killed.

While on a night ILS approach to Alpena-County-Phelps-Collins Airport, the pilot encountered marginal weather conditions and failed to realize his altitude was too low. On short final, the twin engine airplane struck the ground and crashed 1,6 mile short of runway 36. The airplane was destroyed upon impact and all three occupants were killed.

On approach to Pontiac-Oakland County Airport runway 09, the pilot encountered poor visibility due to low ceiling and fog. On final, the twin engine airplane struck two 40 feet approach lite towers located 2,400 and 2,200 feet from the approach end of the runway. The airplane lost height and crashed, bursting into flames. All three occupants were killed.

While in normal cruise over Lake Michigan, the pilot reported engine problems. He lost control of the airplane that entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed into Lake Michigan off Muskegon. The wreckage and all five occupants were not recovered.

After takeoff from Detroit-Wayne County Airport, while in initial climb, the pilot reported a loss of power on the left engine and elected to return for an emergency landing. He quickly realized he could not make it so he attempted an emergency landing in an open field. The airplane belly landed and slid for few dozen yards before coming to rest, bursting into flames. Both occupants were able to evacuate the cabin and were uninjured. The aircraft was destroyed by fire.

While approaching Grand Rapids-Gerald R. Ford Airport on a ferry flight from Baltimore, the twin engine airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in an open field located in Hastings, about 18,5 miles southeast of the destination airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed, debris scattered on a wide area and all four occupants were killed.

After takeoff from Pontiac-Oakland County Airport, while climbing, one of the engine failed. The pilot was cleared to return for an emergency landing and initiated a turn to the left when the airplane crashed into culvert storage area. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.