Crash of a Cessna 340 in Riverton

Date & Time: Jul 30, 1978 at 1000 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N1381G
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Riverton - Evanston
MSN:
340-0080
YOM:
1972
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2997
Captain / Total hours on type:
345.00
Circumstances:
At liftoff, both engines lost power. The pilot elected to return but eventually decided to make an emergency landing. He was forced to make an evasive maneuver to avoid collision and completed a belly landing in an open field. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper maintenance, servicing, inspection,
- Fuel injection system,
- Excessive pressure,
- Intentional wheels-up landing,
- High density altitude,
- Reversed course immediately after takeoff.
Final Report:

Crash of a Fairchild C-119G Flying Boxcar in Greybull: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jun 10, 1978 at 1700 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N3560
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Greybull - Greybull
MSN:
10957
YOM:
1952
Flight number:
Tanker 140
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
4250
Captain / Total hours on type:
400.00
Circumstances:
The aircraft was engaged in a local test flight at Greybull Airport and was carrying one passenger and three crew members. After takeoff, while climbing, the crew encountered technical problems with the right engine. The captain elected to return and initiated a turn when the aircraft lost height and crashed. All three crew members were killed while the passenger was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-A90 King Air in Big Piney: 6 killed

Date & Time: Feb 27, 1978 at 1023 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N878T
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Rangely – Big Piney – Evanston
MSN:
LJ-246
YOM:
1967
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
10515
Circumstances:
On approach to Big Piney Airport, the crew encountered bad weather conditions with low ceiling and snow. Too low, the twin engine airplane struck the ground and crashed few miles from the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and all six occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain on final approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Snow,
- Weather briefing, transmitted to pilots from Big Piney ground personnel.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560A in Glenrock: 6 killed

Date & Time: Feb 19, 1978 at 2020 LT
Registration:
N2639B
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Casper - Douglas
MSN:
560-307
YOM:
1956
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
3485
Captain / Total hours on type:
23.00
Circumstances:
While flying in marginal weather conditions (low ceiling, snow and icing conditions), both engines lost power. The pilot elected to divert to the nearest airport but the airplane lost height and eventually collided with terrain. The wreckage was found a day later. A passenger was seriously injured while six other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with ground due to inadequate preflight preparation and planning on part of the pilot-in-command. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Initiated flight in adverse weather conditions,
- Attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment,
- Ice induction,
- Low ceiling,
- Snow,
- Icing conditions, sleet, freezing rain,
- Conditions conducive to carburetor/induction system icing,
- Partial loss of power on both engines,
- Later recovered,
- No record of weather briefing received,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Zero visibility,
- Blowing snow,
- Recovered a day later.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 414 Chancellor near Farson: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 2, 1977 at 1208 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N8066Q
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Billings - Phoenix
MSN:
414-0501
YOM:
1974
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
11500
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude, the twin engine airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in flames near Farson. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Airframe failure in flight and uncontrolled descent caused by the pilot exceeded designed stress limits of aircraft. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Overload failure,
- Separation in flight,
- Wings, empennage separated.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560F in Cody: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jul 25, 1976 at 1030 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N2244S
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Spokane - Cody
MSN:
560F-1043-15
YOM:
1961
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
2464
Captain / Total hours on type:
900.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Cody Airport, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was too low when the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed in flames on a mountain located few miles from the airfield. The wreckage was found a day later and all four occupants have been killed.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees on approach after the pilot exercised poor judgment. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Misjudged clearance.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680 in Sinclair

Date & Time: May 15, 1976 at 1157 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N6275D
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Scottsbluff – Eugene
MSN:
680-0544-213
YOM:
1957
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
4518
Captain / Total hours on type:
780.00
Circumstances:
While cruising VFR on top on a flight from Scottsbluff to Eugene, the right engine failed. The pilote reduced his altitude to attempt an emergency landing and descended through adverse weather. After gears and flaps were extended, the airplane crashed in an open field. The pilot was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Airframe ice,
- Icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Conditions conducive to carburetor icing,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Snow,
- Propeller not feathered.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 340 in Laramie: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 27, 1976 at 1547 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N69498
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Ogden – Laramie – Denver
MSN:
340-0336
YOM:
1974
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
1349
Circumstances:
While descending to Laramie-General Herbert J. Brees Regional Airport, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with snow falls. On final, the airplane banked left, went into a near vertical attitude then lost height and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Spin on final approach after the pilot failed to maintain flying speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper operation of flight controls,
- Improper IFR operation,
- Failed to initiate a go-around,
- Poorly planned approach,
- Snow,
- Observers reported weather marginal in accident quadrant.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing 737-247 in Casper

Date & Time: Mar 31, 1975 at 0743 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N4527W
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Denver - Casper - Minneapolis
MSN:
20131/165
YOM:
1969
Flight number:
WA470
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
93
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
6698
Captain / Total hours on type:
2000.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
8900
Copilot / Total hours on type:
2000
Aircraft flight hours:
14076
Circumstances:
Western Air Lines flight 470 to Casper and Minneapolis departed Denver at 07:03 in the morning. The airplane, on an IFR flight plan, climbed to its cruising altitude of FL220. At 07:36, following a descent to 12,000 feet, the flight crew contacted Casper approach control and advised that the flight was about 12 miles south of the Evansville Intersection. At that time, the controller cleared the flight to use the localizer back course approach for runway 25, to circle to runway 3, or to land straight in. The weather reported to the crew indicated poor visibility with light snow falling and wind 040° at 9 knots. One minute later, the approach controller advised that "runway 7/25 has been plowed. There's about a 1/4-inch of powder snow on it. Braking action reported, Convair 580, as poor. Runway 3/21 is being plowed at this time." At 07:51, Flight 470 reported at the Henning Intersection and was cleared to contact the Casper Tower. The tower controller cleared the flight to land on runway 25 and gave the wind as 030° at 8 knots. The flight was also advised by the controller that a disabled snow blower was "just west of the intersection runway 21, left side runway 25, on the edge ...." At 07:41:42, the first officer called out "thousand to go to the field." At 07:42:09, the first officer called "approaching minimums," and 12 seconds later, he called "just about at minimums." The aircraft then flew level for a few moments a t the minimum descent altitude (MDA). At 07:42:25, the first officer called the runway in sight directly below the aircraft. At that time airspeed was 150 knots and the flaps were at 25°. The first office then set the flaps at 30° as the captain initiated the final descent. The aircraft crossed the threshold at reference speed +15 knots. The aircraft touched down 2,375 feet from the departure end of the runway, about 6,306 feet from the approach end of the runway. The aircraft went off the departure end of the runway to the right of the centerline. After striking several metal stanchions in the first row of terminal bar lights, which were located 200 feet off the end of the runway, the aircraft struck a shallow irrigation ditch 280 feet off the runway end. The aircraft veered farther to the right and stopped about 800 feet beyond the departure end of the runway.
Probable cause:
The failure of the pilot-in-command to exercise good judgment when he failed to execute a missed approach and continued a non-precision approach to a landing without adequately assessing the aircraft's position relative to the runway threshold. Contributing to the accident were the excessive height and speed at which he crossed the approach end of the runway and the failure of other flight crew members to provide him with required callouts.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Cheyenne

Date & Time: Apr 12, 1974 at 2346 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N40K
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Riverton - Cheyenne - Denver
MSN:
BA-160
YOM:
1956
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3300
Captain / Total hours on type:
900.00
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was completing a cargo flight from Riverton to Denver with an intermediate stop in Cheyenne. After touchdown on a wet/slushy runway, the pilot realized it was difficult to decelerate properly and decided to make a go-around. This decision was taken too late so the airplane departed far down the runway. After liftoff, the twin engine airplane struck an electric pole and several trees before crashing in a small lake. The pilot was injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Ice/slush on runway and hydroplaning on wet runway. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Delayed in initiating go-around,
- Unfavorable wind conditions,
- Selected wrong runway relative to existing wind,
- High obstructions,
- No effective braking on roll out,
- Hit poles and trees on go-around,
- Aircraft man-no crosswind limits chart.
Final Report: