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Crash of a Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith Aerostar 600) in Perkasie: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jun 15, 1974 at 0750 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600)
Operator:
Seiz Corp.
Registration:
N14ES
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Perkasie – Williamsport
MSN:
60-0036-79
YOM:
1970
Location:
Perkasie-Pennridge
Pennsylvania
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Just after takeoff from Perkasie-Pennbridge Airport, while climbing, the twin engine airplane entered a nose down attitude then plunged into the earth and crashed in flames in a wooded area. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined. The aircraft was observed pitch down into wooded area. Loss of pitch control for undetermined reasons. Cockpit area destroyed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 99A Airliner in Johnstown: 12 killed

Date & Time: Jan 6, 1974 at 1905 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 99 Airliner
Operator:
Registration:
N125AE
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Pittsburgh - Johnstown
MSN:
U-125
YOM:
1969
Flight number:
AE317
Location:
Johnstown
Pennsylvania
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
15
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Captain / Total flying hours:
6331
Captain / Total hours on type:
383.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1790
Copilot / Total hours on type:
380
Aircraft flight hours:
7503
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Pittsburgh-International Airport, the crew deliberately started the descent prematurely, causing the aircraft to approach below the minimum published altitude. While descending in marginal weather conditions, the twin engine airplane struck an ILS antenna and crashed few dozen yards short of runway 33 threshold. A pilot and four passengers were seriously injured while 12 other occupants were killed. The aircraft was destroyed. By reason of numerous violations, unsafe practices, policies, and coercing tactics, Air East has demonstrated that it does not possess the judgement, responsibility or compliance disposition required of a holder of an air taxi commercial operators certificate. Thus, the operator's AOC was revoked on March 7, 1974.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the accident was caused by a premature descent below a safe approach slope followed by a stall and loss of aircraft control. The reason for the premature descent could not be determined, but it was probably the result of the combination of the following factors:
- A deliberate descent below the published minimum descent altitude to establish reference with the approach lights and make the landing,
- A visual impairment or an optical illusion created by the runway/approach lighting systems,
- Downdrafts near the approach end of the runway.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Pittsburgh: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 7, 1973 at 0333 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft E18
Operator:
Wyman Pilot Services
Registration:
N387B
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Pittsburgh - Pontiac
MSN:
BA-410
YOM:
1959
Location:
Pittsburgh-Intl
Pennsylvania
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
13600
Captain / Total hours on type:
3700.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after a night takeoff from Pittsburgh-Intl Airport, the twin engine airplane encountered difficulties to gain height then stalled and crashed in flames by the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the crew. The following factors were reported:
- Misused or failed to use flaps,
- Failed to abort takeoff,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Failed to use all available runway,
- Failed to retract landing gear,
- Takeoff from intersection with 4,400 feet remaining,
- Flaps full down.
Final Report:

Crassh of an Howard 350 in Philadelphia

Date & Time: Oct 15, 1972 at 1127 LT
Type of aircraft:
Howard Super Ventura (Howard 500)
Operator:
Mar Pon Inc.
Registration:
N361MC
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Newark – Philadelphia
MSN:
5275
YOM:
1943
Location:
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3768
Captain / Total hours on type:
68.00
Circumstances:
After touchdown at Philadelphia-Intl Airport, the crew inadvertently retracted the gear. The twin engine airplane sank on its belly and slid for several yards before coming to rest in flames. All eight occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was partially destroyed by a post crash fire that was caused by the rupture of a fuel tank in the left wing.
Probable cause:
The pilot inadvertently retracted the gear after landing. Left wing tank ruptured.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft B99 Airliner in Allentown: 4 killed

Date & Time: Oct 24, 1971 at 2307 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 99 Airliner
Operator:
Registration:
N986MA
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Wilkes Barre - Allentown
MSN:
U-044
YOM:
1968
Flight number:
VM098
Location:
Allentown-Lehigh Valley (Bethlehem-Easton)
Pennsylvania
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
4600
Captain / Total hours on type:
800.00
Circumstances:
Monmouth Airlines Flight 98 departed Wilkes-Barre at 2253LT for a short IFR flight to Allentown. Allentown Approach Control cleared the flight for a VOR approach and instructed the pilot to report when it was 12 miles North of the Allentown VOR. At 2307LT, upon receiving the flight's position estimate, Allentown Approach Control cleared Monmouth 98 for a VOR approach to a landing on runway 06. Monmouth 98 was requested to report when inbound over the Allentown VOR. The airplane then collided with the ridge of Blue Mountain at an elevation of 1540 ft (470 m). The wreckage was found 11,3 miles north of Allentown-Bethlehem Easton Airport. Both pilots and two passengers were killed while four other passengers were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The pilot's nonadherence to approved approach procedures for executing a non precision instrument approach in instrument flight conditions. The Board further finds that there is a high degree of probability that the extensive on-duty time and actual instrument flight time prior to this accident resulted in the fatigue of both pilots and affected their judgment and decisions during the approach.
Final Report:

Crash of an Howard Eldorado 700 in Philadelphia

Date & Time: Sep 11, 1971 at 0922 LT
Type of aircraft:
Howard Super Ventura (Howard 500)
Operator:
Youngstown Cartage Company
Registration:
N25YC
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Reading – Philadelphia
MSN:
5598
YOM:
1943
Location:
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
19000
Captain / Total hours on type:
400.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Philadelphia International Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity, heavy rain falls and turbulences. On short final, the captain decided to make a go-around when the airplane struck the ground and crashed few miles short of runway. All six occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Improper IFR operation on part of the crew who descended below MDA while encountering severe turbulences and heavy rain from a thunderstorm cell. The weather was slightly worse than forecast.
Final Report:

Crash of a Convair CV-580 in Pittsburgh

Date & Time: Aug 20, 1971 at 2040 LT
Type of aircraft:
Convair CV-580
Operator:
Registration:
N5844
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Pittsburgh – Parkersburg – Cincinnati
MSN:
43
YOM:
1952
Location:
Pittsburgh-Intl
Pennsylvania
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
50
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
8300
Captain / Total hours on type:
4100.00
Circumstances:
The aircraft was performing a flight from Pittsburgh to Cincinnati with an intermediate stop in Parkersburg. Upon landing at Parkersburg Airport, West Virginia, the crew encountered technical problems with the right main gear. The captain increased engine power and decided to return to Pittsburgh-Greater Pittsburgh Airport for a safe landing. Upon touchdown on runway 28R, as the wheels were missing on the right main gear, the airplane deviated from the centerline to the right when the left main gear collapsed as well. The airplane came to rest and was damaged beyond repair while all 53 occupants escaped uninjured.
Probable cause:
The right main gear lower assembly separated at Parkersburg Airport after a worn lock pin in the upper bearing sheared. The crew diverted to Pittsburgh. Failure of the landing gear, main gear-shock absorbing, assy, struts, attachments, etc.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft G18S in Pittsburgh

Date & Time: Nov 12, 1970 at 1817 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft G18S
Operator:
Rambar Aviation
Registration:
N871MP
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Parkersburg - Pittsburgh
MSN:
BA-610
YOM:
1962
Location:
Pittsburgh-Intl
Pennsylvania
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total hours on type:
1800.00
Circumstances:
While approaching Pittsburgh-Greater Pittsburgh Airport by night, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck tree tops and crashed 3 miles short of runway. All seven occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Improper IFR operation on part of the crew who misread or failed to read the instruments on approach. The airplane hit the ground 3 miles short of runway, about 950 feet below glide slope.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I in Bath: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 11, 1970 at 1156 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I
Operator:
Registration:
N3155K
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Test
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Ambler - Ambler
MSN:
421A-0127
YOM:
1968
Location:
Bath
Pennsylvania
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
6085
Captain / Total hours on type:
8.00
Circumstances:
The crew departed Ambler Airport on a local FAA autopilot certification test flight. Following circuits over the region, the crew was returning to Ambler when he encountered foggy conditions. While cruising at an insufficient altitude, the airplane struck trees and crashed in flames in a wooded area located in Bath, about 40 miles north of Ambler. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Improper IFR operation on part of the pilot who diverted attention from operation of aircraft. The following factors were reported:
- The pilot-in-command failed to follow the approved procedures,
- Low ceiling and fog,
- VFR day only,
- Descended below MDA during a VOR approach,
- No aircraft, engine or system malfunction found.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500B in Mahaffey: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 4, 1970 at 1510 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 500
Operator:
Registration:
N701X
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Dubois – Roanoke
MSN:
500-916-3
YOM:
1960
Location:
Mahaffey
Pennsylvania
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
10000
Captain / Total hours on type:
800.00
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Dubois, Pennsylvania, on a private flight to Roanoke, Virginia. En route, one of the engine failed and the pilot reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing in Mahaffey when the airplane went out of control and crashed in an open field. Both occupants, the racer Curtis Turner aged 46 and the passenger, the golfer Clarence King, were killed.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. It was reported that at the time of the accident, the pilot was intoxicated and under influence of alcohol and was unable to maintain flying speed due to physical impairment. The following factors were reported:
- Alcoholic impairment of efficiency and judgment (the pilot blood alcohol level was 1,7 ‰),
- Evidence shows that the passenger suffered a severe heart attack prior to the accident.
Final Report:
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