Cessna 411

Operator:

Viking Air Services

Registration:

N1EC

Flight Phase:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

King Salmon - Kodiak

MSN:

411-0094

YOM:

1965

Location:

Kodiak

Alaska

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2200

Captain / Total hours on type:

90.00

Circumstances:

While approaching Kodiak on a taxi flight from King Salmon, the twin engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in the Shelikof Strait located off Kodiak. SAR operations were conducted and eventually suspended after few days as no trace of the aircraft nor the three occupants was found.

Probable cause:

Due to lack of evidences as the aircraft was not recovered, the cause of the accident could not be determined.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 411 in Fresno

Date & Time: Apr 28, 1978 at 1236 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Leslie L. Sexton

Registration:

N3236R

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Fresno - Sacramento

MSN:

411-0236

YOM:

1966

Location:

Fresno

California

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3988

Captain / Total hours on type:

69.00

Circumstances:

After liftoff, the right engine lost power. The airplane encountered difficulties to gain height, struck tree tops and crashed near the runway end. All six occupants were injured, four of them seriously. The aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Engine malfunction during initial climb due to inadequate maintenance and inspection. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fuel systems: pumps,
- Improper alignment/adjustment,
- Excessive pressure,
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Failed to use all available runway,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Fuel filter 30% obstructed,
- High obstructions,
- Right pump over 60 PSI while specificities call for 33,
- Takeoff from midfield (9,281 feet runway),
- Engine not feathered.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 411A near Santa Fe: 6 killed

Date & Time: Mar 26, 1978 at 1946 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

James E. Ferguson

Registration:

N417DR

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Sierra Vista - Lamar

MSN:

411-0265

YOM:

1967

Location:

Santa Fe

New Mexico

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2700

Circumstances:

While flying by night at an altitude of 11,700 feet, the twin engine airplane struck the slope of a mountain located in the region of Santa Fe. The wreckage and all six dead bodies were found a week later, on April 2.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain caused by inadequate preflight preparation and improper in-flight decisions.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 411 in Chilcoot: 4 killed

Date & Time: Mar 3, 1978 at 1940 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Michael C. Mirk Jr.

Registration:

N3212R

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

San Jose - Truckee

MSN:

411-0212

YOM:

1966

Location:

Chilcoot

California

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

151

Captain / Total hours on type:

69.00

Circumstances:

While flying in poor weather conditions, the pilot lost control of the airplane that entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in flames in an uninhabited area located in the region of Chilcoot. The aircraft was destroyed and all four occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled descent and subsequent uncontrolled collision with ground after the pilot initiated flight in adverse weather conditions and suffered a spatial disorientation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- IFR flight conditions,
- VFR flight not recommended.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 411 off Yakutat: 7 killed

Date & Time: Aug 27, 1977

Type of aircraft:

Terminal Ice & Cold Storage Company

Operator:

Registration:

N4930T

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Juneau - Anchorage

MSN:

411-0130

YOM:

1965

Location:

Yakutat

Alaska

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2150

Captain / Total hours on type:

100.00

Circumstances:

En route from Juneau to Anchorage, while cruising in marginal weather conditions, the pilot reported engine problems when contact was lost. The airplane entered a spin and crashed into the ocean off Yakutat. Few debris and two dead bodies were found. The aircraft sank and was lost.

Probable cause:

Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined. The following findings were reported:
- Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons,
- Icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain,
- Partial loss of power on one engine,
- Complete failure of one engine,
- Weather slightly worse than forecast,
- Ceiling 1,200 feet,
- Pilot reported securing engine n°2,
- Passengers recovered from bay,
- Aircraft damage and injury index presumed.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 411 in Spring Valley Lake: 7 killed

Date & Time: Apr 1, 1977 at 1703 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

EA Miller Inc.

Registration:

N9100V

Flight Phase:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Santa Ana - Logan

MSN:

411-0289

YOM:

1969

Location:

Spring Valley Lake

California

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3242

Captain / Total hours on type:

1058.00

Circumstances:

Few minutes after takeoff from Santa Ana-John Wayne Airport, from climb to cruise, the twin engine airplane entered adverse weather conditions when control was lost. The airplane entered a dive and crashed near Spring Valley Lake. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all seven occupants were killed. The wreckage was found a day later.

Probable cause:

Loss of control during climb to cruise after the pilot initiated flight in adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- High obstructions,
- Below minimums.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 411 in Fort Myers: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 25, 1977 at 1315 LT

Type of aircraft:

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

Herman E. Shaw Jr.

Registration:

N99JM

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Fort Myers - Fort Myers

MSN:

411-0093

YOM:

1965

Location:

Fort Myers-Page Field

Florida

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

6022

Captain / Total hours on type:

10.00

Circumstances:

The crew was completing a local training flight at Fort Myers Airport. During a simulated single engine approach, the crew initiated a steep turn when the airplane stalled and crashed close to the runway. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Stall on final approach after the pilot failed to maintain flying speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate supervision of flight,
- Unfavorable wind conditions.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 411 in Berz-Macomb: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 29, 1976 at 1540 LT

Type of aircraft:

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

J & L Aircraft

Registration:

N411EF

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

411-0081

YOM:

1965

Location:

Berz-Macomb (Detroit)

Michigan

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

500

Circumstances:

While approaching Berz-Macomb Airport, the right engine failed. The pilot lost control of the airplane that entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed. Both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Engine failure and uncontrolled descent on final approach due to valve assemblies failure. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Material failure,
- Attempted operation beyond experience/ability level,
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Partial loss of power on one engine,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- 6th exhaust valve guide,
- Feathered engine capable of producing power,
- Not multi engine rated.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 411 in Walker Cay

Date & Time: May 28, 1976 at 1400 LT

Type of aircraft:

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

South Florida Airlines

Registration:

N34JH

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site: