Tennessee

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Cleveland - Lexington

MSN:

421B-0139

YOM:

1971

Location:

Cleveland-Hardwick

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

8500

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Cleveland-Hardwick Airport, while in initial climb, the right engine lost power. The pilot was cleared to return for an emergency landing and started an immediate turn before trying to feather the right propeller. Due to insufficient speed, the airplane lost height, stalled and crashed, killing all five occupants.

Probable cause:

Loss of power on the right engine during initial climb due to material failure. The following factors were reported:
- Powerplant failure due to master and connecting rods failure,
- The pilot failed to follow the approved procedures,
- The pilot failed to maintain flying speed,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Right engine n°5 cylinder connecting rod bolt failed,
- The pilot tried to return to airport before feathering the right propeller,
- Aircraft near gross weight.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Nashville: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 10, 1972 at 0200 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft D18

Operator:

Sierra West Air

Registration:

N7526

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Detroit - Louisville - Nashville

MSN:

A-995

YOM:

1953

Location:

Nashville

Country:

Region:

Swearingen SA26T Merlin II

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1875

Captain / Total hours on type:

50.00

Circumstances:

Upon landing, the twin engine airplane landed hard and bounced. Out of control, it veered off runway and came to rest in flames. A pilot was killed while the second occupant was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.

Probable cause:

Loss of control upon landing caused by a spontaneous and improper action on part of the copilot who was the pilot-in-command. The following factors were reported:
- Inadequate supervision of flight,
- Poor crew coordination,
- Improper level off,
- Full power recovery from bounced landing,
- Pilot later said that power was for go-around.

Final Report:

Crash of a Swearingen SA26T Merlin IIB in Nashville: 4 killed

Date & Time: Mar 28, 1972 at 0805 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Copeland Refrigeration Company

Registration:

N4111X

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Sidney - Nashville

MSN:

T26-126

YOM:

1969

Location:

Nashville

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:

12486

Captain / Total hours on type:

438.00

Circumstances:

On final approach to Nashville Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and bad visibility due to low ceiling and fog. The crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and all four occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Improper IFR operation on part of the crew. The following factors were reported:
- Instruments misread or failed to read,
- Low ceiling and fog,
- Descended below published MDA,
- The crew did not request nor was given current approach zone weather.

Final Report:

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

Date & Time: Aug 20, 1971 at 0005 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Robert C. Haase

Registration:

N3198K

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Knoxville - Athens

MSN:

421A-0008

YOM:

1967

Location:

Athens

Country:

Region:

Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2900

Captain / Total hours on type:

49.00

Circumstances:

On a night approach to Athens-McMinn County Airport, the pilot lost control of the aircraft that crashed in flames by the runway. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled collision with ground caused by improper operation of the flight controls. The pilot lost control of the aircraft during turning pull-up type maneuver after low pass over the runway.

Final Report:

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

Date & Time: Aug 3, 1971 at 1315 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Memphis Air Charter

Registration:

N9672C

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Memphis - Linden

MSN:

AF-332

YOM:

1953

Location:

Memphis

Country:

Region:

Rockwell Aero Commander 500

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3547

Captain / Total hours on type:

97.00

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, the right engine failed. The crew declared an emergency and was cleared to return for a safe landing. A circuit was completed in stormy weather and while making a last turn to join the approach path, control was lost. The airplane stalled and crashed near the airport. A pilot was killed while the second occupant was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

The crew attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipement. The following factors were reported:
- Deficiency in the company maintenance equipment, services and regulation,
- Engines structure: valve assemblies,
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection on part of the maintenance personnel,
- The pilot-in-command exercised poor judgment,
- Poorly planned approach,
- Low ceiling, rain and thunderstorm activity,
- Right engine rough prior to takeoff, known to pilots and supervisor,
- Circling approach too high,
- Go-around made in stormy weather.

Final Report:

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

Date & Time: Jan 12, 1971 at 1810 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Racran Corporation

Registration:

N6254X

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Jackson - Jackson

MSN:

500-1123-70

YOM:

1961

Location:

Jackson-McKellar Sipes

Country:

Region:

Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4162

Captain / Total hours on type:

1510.00

Circumstances:

On approach to Jackson-McKellar Sipes Airport, the pilot encountered foggy conditions. The pilot decided to reduce his altitude and passed below the minimum descent altitude when the airplane struck trees and crashed three miles short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

The pilot failed to follow the approved procedures. The following factors were reported:
- Improper IFR operation,
- Overcast at 400 feet and fog,
- Descended below MDA of 760 feet approximately 3 miles before runway threshold.

Final Report:

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

Date & Time: Aug 22, 1969 at 0034 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Queen City Flying Service

Registration:

N311U

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Postal (mail)

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Cincinnati - Nashville

MSN:

AF-321

YOM:

1953

Location:

Brentwood

Country:

Region:

Rockwell Aero Commander 560

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2235

Captain / Total hours on type:

150.00

Circumstances:

While on a night mail flight from Cincinnati to Nashville, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions upon arrival. On approach, he lost control of the airplane that dove into the ground and crashed in Brentwood, about 7 miles southwest of Nashville Airport. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled descent into the ground on approach after the pilot suffered a spatial disorientation. The following factors were considered as contributing:
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Fog,
- Weather slightly worse than forecast.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560A in Crossville: 5 killed

Date & Time: Mar 29, 1969 at 1129 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Beaudoin Steul

Registration:

N2761B

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Benton Harbor - Atlanta

MSN:

560-442

YOM:

1956

Location:

Crossville

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

889

Captain / Total hours on type:

236.00

Circumstances:

While in cruising altitude in poor weather conditions, the pilot lost control of the airplane that entered a dive and crashed few dozen seconds later in a huge explosion. All five occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

The accident was probably caused by the combination of the following factors:
- The pilot attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment,
- The pilot failed to obtain/maintain flying speed,
- Icing conditions including sleet, freezing rain,
- Turbulences associated with clouds and thunderstorms,
- Airframe ice,
- Ice carburetor,
- The pilot entered known icing conditions with no prop or airframe de-icing systems on aircraft.

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo near Jamestown: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jan 6, 1969 at 2040 LT

Type of aircraft:

Piper PA-31-310 Navajo

Operator:

Suse Company

Registration:

N440DL

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Location:

Jamestown

Country:

Region: