Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Milford

Date & Time: Jul 29, 1971 at 2215 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N417R
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Syracuse – New York
MSN:
BA-264
YOM:
1957
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3180
Captain / Total hours on type:
247.00
Circumstances:
While cruising by night on a mail flight from Syracuse to New York, the crew encountered technical problems with an engine. It was decided to jettison the cargo as the crew was unable to maintain a safe altitude. Eventually, the airplane struck trees then crashed in Milford, New York. Both crew were injured, one seriously, and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure due to blower, impeller assembly failure. The following factors were reported:
- Lack of lubrication on specific parts,
- Material failure,
- High obstructions,
- Jettisoned load,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Damage to impeller and associated parts resulted from impeller bearing failure.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell 1121A Jet Commander in New York: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 27, 1971 at 1955 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N400CP
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Burlington - Providence
MSN:
1121-30
YOM:
1965
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
9908
Captain / Total hours on type:
692.00
Circumstances:
While cruising by night over the State of New York on a flight from Burlington, Vermont, and Providence, Rhode Island, the twin engine airplane disappeared from radar screens without the pilots having been able to transmit all or part of an emergency message. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the crew was ever found. It is believed that the aircraft may crash into Lake Champlain but again, no trace was ever found.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-90-DL in New York-LaGuardia

Date & Time: Jan 4, 1971 at 1832 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N7
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Johnstown - New York
MSN:
20426
YOM:
1944
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
9711
Captain / Total hours on type:
112.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
9169
Copilot / Total hours on type:
470
Circumstances:
A Federal Aviation Administration Douglas C-47, N7, crashed approximately 2,000 feet short of the approach threshold of runway 06 at LaGuardia Airport, New York. The crew was attempting to fly an Instrument Landing System approach in instrument meteorological conditions at night. The LaGuardia weather reported 3 minutes after the accident was: '200 feet scattered, measured 300 broken, 600 overcast, visibility 1 1/2 mile, light rain, fog, wind 060° at 11 knots, altimeter 29.63 inches, runway 04, visibility variable to 3 miles.
Probable cause:
The board determines that the probable cause of this accident was: the failure of the pilot to recognize the windshear conditions and compensate for it; the lack of crew coordination in that the copilot did not monitory the approach due to a self-induces communications problem and failed to warn the pilot that the aircraft was too low; and the diversion of tho pilot's attention from his primary task of completing the approach and landing. These conditions resulted in a mismanaged ILS and landing approach and the continuation of the descent into ground obstructions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon in Lewis: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 19, 1970 at 1847 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N91119
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Burlington – Buffalo
MSN:
207-0081
YOM:
1969
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
4050
Captain / Total hours on type:
200.00
Circumstances:
While flying at low altitude, the pilot encountered patches of fog when the single engine airplane hit tree tops and crashed in a wooded area located in Lewis, NY. The wreckage was found two days later and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Improper IFR operation on part of the pilot who took improper in-flight decisions. The following factors were reported:
- Unwarranted low flying,
- Fog patches,
- Aircraft seen at treetop level prior to impact with mountain upslope.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-8-62 in New York

Date & Time: Sep 15, 1970 at 1321 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
I-DIWZ
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Rome - New York
MSN:
46026/452
YOM:
1969
Flight number:
AZ618
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
146
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
13310
Captain / Total hours on type:
1362.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
8114
Copilot / Total hours on type:
247
Circumstances:
Alitalia Flight 618 departed Rome at 10:22 local time for a non-stop flight to New York. The en route and descent were normal. After having descended to 6000 feet, the crew listed to the ATIS: "The seventeen hundred zulu weather Kennedy six hundred scattered measured ceiling eight hundred overcast four miles fog the winds are two one zero degrees at three and the altimeter three zero one five temperature seventy three expect ILS four right approach landing runway four right. Notice to Airmen glide slope out of service.". About this point in the flight, the first officer, at the request of the captain, took over the flight controls. He disengaged the autopilot and proceeded to comply with the various vectors provided by the approach controller. At 13:07 the controller instructed the flight to increase airspeed from 210 knots to 250 knots. Five minutes later the flight was instructed to reduce the speed to 200 knots. At 13:18:05, the flight was advised, "Alitalia six eighteen you’re three and a half from the marker, turn right zero two zero, cleared ILS four right approach." The DC-8 broke through the clouds at about 600 feet. The runway was in sight, but the plane appeared to be high and slightly on the right. The captain decided to perform a steep approach and took over the controls. He put the four engines at idle-reverse, then selected reverse thrust on Nos. 2 and 3 engines, deciding to select forward thrust when on the proper slope. too busy in rotating the aircraft, the captain could not leave the controls to regain forward thrust. The plane touched down very hard started to yaw to the left. It ground looped and came to rest with the fuselage split open aft of the wing and three out of four engines separated.
Probable cause:
The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the use of reverse thrust in flight, contrary to published procedures, with a resultant uncorrectable high sink rate. The captain's decision to use reverse thrust and not to execute a missed approach was a reaction under stress occasioned at least in part, by Air Traffic Control (ATC) instructions which led to positioning the aircraft too high and too close to the runway. ATC vectored the aircraft to the final approach path under IFR conditions and in the absence of an operating ILS glide slope.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-8-63CF in New York: 11 killed

Date & Time: Sep 8, 1970 at 1606 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N4863T
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
New York – Washington DC – London
MSN:
45951/414
YOM:
1968
Flight number:
TV863
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Captain / Total flying hours:
22300
Captain / Total hours on type:
7100.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
15775
Copilot / Total hours on type:
4750
Aircraft flight hours:
7878
Circumstances:
Approximately 1,500 feet from the initiation of the takeoff roll, the aircraft was observed rotating to an excessively nose-high attitude. The aircraft became airborne about 2,800 feet down the runway after which it continued to rotate slowly upward to an attitude estimated to be between 60° and 90° above the horizontal, at an altitude estimated to be between 300 and 500 feet above the ground. The aircraft rolled about 20° to the right, rolled back to the left until it reached approximately a vertical angle of bank, and then fell to the ground in that attitude. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and post impact fire. All 11 crew members, the only occupants of the aircraft, died in the accident.
Probable cause:
The Board determined that the probable cause of this accident was a loss of pitch control caused by the entrapment of a pointed, asphalt-covered object between the leading edge of the right elevator and the right horizontal spar web access door in the aft part of the stabilizer. The restriction to elevator movement, caused by a highly unusual and unknown condition, was not detected by the crew in time to reject the takeoff successfully. However, an apparent lack of crew responsiveness to a highly unusual emergency situation, coupled with the captain's failure to monitor adequately the takeoff, contributed to the failure to reject the takeoff.
Final Report:

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

Date & Time: Mar 22, 1970 at 1611 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N497DM
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Binghampton - Washington DC
MSN:
AF-690
YOM:
1954
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
6630
Captain / Total hours on type:
106.00
Circumstances:
At liftoff from Binghamton-Broome County Airport, the twin engine airplane encountered serious difficulties to gain height. Suddenly, it stalled and crashed in flames in an open field located near the airport. A pilot and two passengers were killed while eight other occupants were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
The accident was caused by a poor flight preparation on part of the crew who decided to takeoff with a snow covered aircraft. The following factors were considered as contributing:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Airframe ice,
- Icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain,
- Delayed action in aborting takeoff,
- Intentional wheels-up landing,
- Low ceiling,
- Snow,
- The crew attempted to takeoff with snow on wings,
- Aircraft not cleaned prior to takeoff.
Final Report:

Crash of a Fairchild-Hiller FH-227B near Glenn Falls: 14 killed

Date & Time: Nov 19, 1969 at 2020 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N7811M
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Albany – Glenn Falls
MSN:
531
YOM:
1966
Flight number:
MO411
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
14
Captain / Total flying hours:
5167
Captain / Total hours on type:
343.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
3910
Copilot / Total hours on type:
67
Aircraft flight hours:
7553
Circumstances:
Mohawk Airlines flight 411, while en route to Glenn Falls from Albany, New York, crashed about 2020LT in mountainous terrain approximately 9 nautical miles north of the Warren County Airport, Glenn Falls. The flight had been cleared for a VOR approach to runway 19, since the surface wind was from 150° at 12 knots with gusts to 20 knots. The ceiling at Glenn Falls was given as 2,100 feet overcast, and the visibility was 7 miles in light rain. The flight overflew Glenn Falls at 3,000 feet and proceeded north for about 1 minute and 15 seconds at which time a left turn was initiated preparatory to return to the airport to land on runway 19. During the last portion of this turn, the aircraft contacted trees and the northwest slope of the Pilot Knob Mountain on a heading of about 180°, approximately one nautical mile east of Katsskill Bay, New York. It then impacted the face of a rock cliff, after which it dropped approximately 38 feet, became lodged between trees and the side of the mountain, and burned. The elevation of the initial impact with the rock face of Pilot Knob Mountain was approximately 1,960 feet. The three crew members and 11 passengers received fatal injuries, and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The probable cause of this accident was that the captain, while conducting an approach, exceeded his clearance limits and, thereafter, flew the aircraft into a severe 'lee of the mountain downdraft' at an altitude insufficient for recovery. No evidence was found to explain why this particular approach was attempted.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon in Kerhonkson

Date & Time: Nov 19, 1969 at 1940 LT
Registration:
N1529U
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Kingston - Erie
MSN:
207-0129
YOM:
1969
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
9633
Captain / Total hours on type:
200.00
Circumstances:
While cruising under VFR mode by night, the crew requested an IFR clearance to ATC. Awaiting for it, the crew became lost and disoriented when the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located near Kerhonkson. Both pilots were slightly injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain caused by improper in-flight decisions or planning. The crew became lost and disoriented and the aircraft struck an unlighted mountain ridge 7 miles right of the intended course while awaiting IFR clearance.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 200 in New York: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jul 15, 1969 at 0657 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N558MA
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
New York - Newark
MSN:
175
YOM:
1968
Flight number:
NY901
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
12110
Captain / Total hours on type:
180.00
Circumstances:
As the crew was 12 minutes behind the schedule, he decided to start the takeoff procedure from an intersection and the departure was precipitated despite ATC warned the crew about the recent takeoff of a Boeing 707 from the same runway. Just after liftoff, while in initial climb, the airplane became unstable then stalled and crashed. Both pilots and a passenger were killed while 11 other occupants were injured, some of them seriously.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the crew lost control of the airplane due to wake turbulences caused by a Boeing 707 that just took off from the same runway. The crew failed to consider the warning from ATC.
Final Report: