Crash of a Rockwell T-39A-1-NA Sabreliner near Richmond: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 14, 1975
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
61-0646
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Andrews - Andrews
MSN:
265-49
YOM:
1962
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew departed Andrews AFB on a test flight. While cruising over Virginia and while completing various manoeuvres, the crew lost control of the airplane that crashed in flames in an open field located in the region of Richmond. All three crew members were killed.

Crash of a Cessna 411A in Wise: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jan 12, 1975 at 1950 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N100KC
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Savannah - Pontiac
MSN:
411A-0296
YOM:
1969
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Captain / Total flying hours:
786
Captain / Total hours on type:
30.00
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude over Virginia by night, the crew encountered icing conditions and requested a higher altitude but this was denied. Few minutes later, the twin engine airplane entered a dive and crashed in a near vertical attitude in a field located in Wise. The aircraft was totally destroyed upon impact and all seven occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control following in-flight icing. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain,
- Airframe ice,
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Unable to climb to safe altitude,
- ATC failed to seek specific info regarding deterioration of pilot and aircraft abilities.
Final Report:

Crash of a Convair VT-29D off Newport News: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jan 9, 1975 at 1836 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
52-5826
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Meridian - Langley
MSN:
52-25
YOM:
1954
Flight number:
M32
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Captain / Total flying hours:
6840
Captain / Total hours on type:
1332.00
Aircraft flight hours:
14473
Circumstances:
While approaching Langley AFB by night on a flight from Meridian, Massachusetts, the airplane collided with a Cavalier Flyers Cessna 150 registered N50430 and carrying two people. Following the collision, both aircraft crashed into the James River, about four miles west of Newport News. Both aircraft were destroyed and all nine people were killed.
Probable cause:
The human limitation inherent in the see-and-avoid concept, which can be critical in a terminal area with a combination of controlled and uncontrolled traffic. A possible contributing factor was the reduced nighttime conspicuity of the Cessna against a background of city lights. The following findings were reported:
- No controlling agency,
- Not under radar contact,
- No traffic advisory issued,
- Continued versus uncontrolled traffic.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing 727-231 on Mt Weather: 92 killed

Date & Time: Dec 1, 1974 at 1110 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N54328
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Indianapolis - Columbus - Washington DC
MSN:
20306/791
YOM:
1970
Flight number:
TW514
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
85
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
92
Captain / Total flying hours:
3765
Captain / Total hours on type:
2899.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
6205
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1160
Aircraft flight hours:
11997
Circumstances:
Trans World Airlines Flight TW514 was a regularly scheduled flight from Indianapolis, IN (IND), to Washington-National Airport, DC (DCA), with an intermediate stop at Columbus-Port Columbus International Airport, OH (CMH). Flight 514 departed Indianapolis at 08:53 EST and arrived in Columbus at 09:32. The Boeing 727 departed Columbus at 10:24, eleven minutes late. There were 85 passengers and 7 flight crew members aboard the aircraft when it departed Columbus. At 10:36, the Cleveland Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) informed the crew of Flight 514 that no landings were being made at Washington National Airport because of high crosswinds, and that flights destined for that airport were either being held or being diverted to Dulles International Airport (IAD). At 10:38, the captain of Flight 514 communicated with the dispatcher in New York and advised him of the information he had received. The dispatcher, with the captain's concurrence, subsequently amended Flight 514's release to allow the flight to proceed to Dulles. At 10:42, Cleveland ARTCC cleared Flight 514 to Dulles Airport via the Front Royal VOR, and to maintain FL290. One minute later, the controller cleared the flight to descend to FL230 and to cross a point 40 miles west of Front Royal at that altitude. Control of the flight was then transferred to the Washington ARTCC and communications were established with that facility at 10:48. In the meantime, the flightcrew discussed the instrument approach to runway 12, the navigational aids, and the runways at Dulles, and the captain turned the flight controls over to the first officer. When radio communications were established with Washington ARTCC, the controller affirmed that he knew the flight was proceeding to Dulles. Following this contact, the crew discussed the various routings they might receive to conduct a VOR/DME approach to runway 12 at Dulles. At 10:51, the Washington ARTCC controller requested the flight's heading. After being told that the flight was on a heading of 100 degrees, the controller cleared the crew to change to a heading of 090°, to intercept the 300° radial of the Armel VOR, to cross a point 25 miles northwest of Armel to maintain 8,000 feet, "...and the 300° radial will be for a VOR approach to runway 12 at Dulles." He gave the crew an altimeter setting of 29.74 for Dulles. The crew acknowledged this clearance. The pilots again discussed the VOR/DME approach At 10:55, the landing preliminary checklist was read by the flight engineer and the other crewmembers responded to the calls. A reference speed of 127 kts was calculated and set on the airspeed indicator reference pointers. The altimeters were set at 29.74. The crew then again discussed items on the instrument approach chart including the Round Hill intersection, the final approach fix, the visual approach slope indicator and runway lights, and the airport diagram. At 10:59, the captain commented that the flight was descending from 11,000 feet to 8,000 feet. He then asked the controller if there were any weather obstructions between the flight and the airport. The controller replied that he did not see any significant weather along the route. The captain replied that the crew also did not see any weather on the aircraft weather radar. At 11:01, the controller cleared the flight to descend to and maintain 7,000 feet and to contact Dulles approach control. Twenty-six seconds later, the captain initiated a conversation with Dulles approach control and reported that the aircraft was descending from 10,000 feet to maintain 7,000 feet. He also reported having received the information "Charlie" transmitted on the ATIS broadcast. The controller replied with a clearance to proceed inbound to Armel and to expect a VOR/DME approach to runway 12. The controller then informed the crew that ATIS information Delta was current and read the data to them. The crew determined that the difference between information Charlie and Delta was the altimeter setting which was given in Delta as 29.70. There was no information on the CVR to indicate that the pilots reset their altimeters from 29.74. At 11:04, the flight reported it was level at 7,000 feet. Five seconds after receiving that report, the controller said, "TWA 514, you're cleared for a VOR/DME approach to runway 12." This clearance was acknowledged by the captain. The CVR recorded the sound of the landing gear warning horn followed by a comment from the captain that "Eighteen hundred is the bottom." The first officer then said, "Start down." The flight engineer said, "We're out here quite a ways. I better turn the heat down." At 11:05:06, the captain reviewed the field elevation, the minimum descent altitude, and the final approach fix and discussed the reason that no time to the missed approach point was published. At 11:06:15, the first officer commented that, "I hate the altitude jumping around. Then he commented that the instrument panel was bouncing around. At 11:06:15, the captain said, "We have a discrepancy in our VOR's, a little but not much." He continued, "Fly yours, not mine." At 11:06:27, the captain discussed the last reported ceiling and minimum descent altitude. concluded, "...should break out." At 11:06:42, the first officer said, "Gives you a headache after a while, watching this jumping around like that." At 11:07:27, he said, "...you can feel that wind down here now." A few seconds later, the captain said, "You know, according to this dumb sheet it says thirtyfour hundred to Round Hill --- is our minimum altitude." The flight engineer then asked where the captain saw that and the captain replied, "Well, here. Round Hill is eleven and a half DME." The first officer said, "Well, but ---" and the captain replied, "When he clears you, that means you can go to your ---" An unidentified voice said, "Initial approach, and another unidentified voice said, "Yeah!" Then the captain said "Initial approach altitude." The flight engineer then said, "We're out a --- twenty-eight for eighteen." An unidentified voice said, "Right, and someone said, "One to go." At 11:08:14, the flight engineer said, "Dark in here," and the first officer stated, "And bumpy too." At 11:08:25, the sound of an altitude alert horn was recorded. The captain said, "I had ground contact a minute ago," and the first officer replied, "Yeah, I did too." At 11:08:29, the first officer said, "...power on this.... " The captain said "Yeah --- you got a high sink rate." "Yeah," the first officer replied. An unidentified voice said, "We're going uphill, " and the flight engineer replied, "We're right there, we're on course." Two voices responded, "Yeah!" The captain then said, "You ought to see ground outside in just a minute -- Hang in there boy." The flight engineer said, "We're getting seasick." At 1108:57, the altitude alert sounded. Then the first officer said, "Boy, it was --- wanted to go right down through there, man," to which an unidentified voice replied, "Yeah!" Then the first officer said, "Must have had a # of a downdraft." At 1109:14, the radio altimeter warning horn sounded and stopped. The first officer said, "Boy!" At 11:09:20, the captain said, "Get some power on." The radio altimeter warning horn sounded again and stopped. At 11:09:22, the sound of impact was recorded. After the aircraft left 7,000 feet, the descent was continuous with little rate variation until the indicated altitude was about 1,750 feet. increased about 150 feet over a 15-second period and then decreased about 200 feet during a 20-second period. The recorded altitude remained about 1,750 feet until the airplane impacted the west slope of Mount Weather, Virginia, about 25 nmi from Dulles, at an elevation of about 1,670 feet (509 m). The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all 92 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the accident was the crew's decision to descend to 1,800 feet before the aircraft had reached the approach segment where that minimum altitude applied result of inadequacies and lack of clarity in the air traffic control procedures which led to a misunderstanding on the part of the pilots and of the controllers regarding each other's responsibilities during operations in terminal areas under instrument meteorological conditions. Nevertheless, the examination of the plan view of the approach chart should have disclosed to the captain that a minimum altitude of 1,800 feet was not a safe altitude.
The following contributing factors were reported:
- The failure of the FAA to take timely action to resolve the confusion and misinterpretation of air traffic terminology although the Agency had been aware of the problem for several years,
- The issuance of the approach clearance when the flight was 44 miles from the airport on an unpublished route without clearly defined minimum altitudes,
- Inadequate depiction of altitude restrictions on the profile view of the approach chart for the VOR/DME approach to runway 12 at Dulles International Airport.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402B in Petersburg: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 22, 1974 at 1225 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N69379
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Richmond - Petersburg
MSN:
402B-0523
YOM:
1973
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
1600
Captain / Total hours on type:
29.00
Circumstances:
The crew (an instructor and a student pilot) departed Richmond, Virginia, on a training flight to Petersburg, Virginia. After several touch-and-go maneuvers, the twin engine airplane was landing when on touchdown, it struck the runway surface and the pilot elected to make a go-around. Out of control, the airplane veered off runway and came to rest in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The aircraft went out of control upon landing after the crew failed to extend the landing gear. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Diverted attention from operation of aircraft,
- Examination of runway revealed prop slash marks right and left of runway centerline,
- Right propeller damaged, one blade broken, left propeller damaged.
Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman E-2B Hawkeye in Norfolk: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jun 19, 1973 at 0830 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Norfolk - White Plains
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The crew departed Norfolk-Chambers Field on a flight to the Northrop Grumman facilities in White Plains, NY. About two minutes after takeoff from runway 10, while in initial climb, the airplane encountered difficulties, stalled and crashed on a beach located in Ocean View Beach, about 4 miles east of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all five crew members were killed.
Crew:
Lt Walter J. MacLeod Jr.,
Lt Randall M. Moore,
Lt Edward W. Cassel,
Lt Arthur T. Dunn,
Ens Howard E. Wagoner.

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor at Davison AAF: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 13, 1973
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Davison - Davison
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot was completing a local training flight at Davison AAF when the airplane went out of control and crashed in unknown circumstances in a demolition. The pilot, sole on board, was killed. A45 or C45?

Crash of Lockheed 12A Electra Junior in Sky Bryce

Date & Time: Jan 17, 1972 at 0830 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N10PB
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Sky Bryce - Richmond
MSN:
1247
YOM:
1938
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
18272
Captain / Total hours on type:
262.00
Circumstances:
At liftoff, the twin engine airplane stalled and crashed. The pilot was slightly injured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot who failed to deice the airplane that was contaminated by frost on wings.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft H18 in Charlottesville

Date & Time: Nov 29, 1971 at 1400 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N717Z
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Lexington - Charlottesville
MSN:
BA-710
YOM:
1964
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
15575
Captain / Total hours on type:
485.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Charlottesville Airport, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with fog, low ceiling and rain showers. Unable to locate the runway, he decided to initiate a go-around when he lost control of the airplane that nosed down and crashed few dozen yards short of runway. The pilot was slightly injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The pilot failed to obtain/maintain flying speed while initiating a go-around. The following factors were reported:
- Improper operation of flight controls,
- Incorrect trim setting,
- Low ceiling, rain and fog,
- Lost control on go-around from localizer approach,
- Full left rudder trim and full forward elevator trim found.
Final Report:

Crash of a Swearingen SA26T Merlin II in Hot Springs: 6 killed

Date & Time: Oct 16, 1971 at 1317 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N20DE
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Detroit - Hot Springs
MSN:
T26-168
YOM:
1970
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
25000
Circumstances:
While descending to Hot Springs Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with low ceiling, rain and fog. As the pilot-in-command was unable to locate the runway, he decided to make a go-around. A second attempt to land was also abandoned few minutes later. During a third approach, the pilot-in-command descended below the minimum descent altitude when the airplane struck the ground 150 feet short of runway. The aircraft went out of control and crashed on the right of the runway. All six occupants, among them two Japanese citizen, were killed.
Probable cause:
Improper IFR operation on part of the crew. The following factors were reported:
- Low ceiling, rain and fog,
- Fire after impact,
- The crew descended below MDA on third attempt during a non glide-slope approach.
Final Report: