Crash of a Martin 404 in Mariquita: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 7, 1974 at 1400 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
HK-1485
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Mariquita - Mariquita
MSN:
14237
YOM:
1952
Country:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training flight at Mariquita Airport. On final approach, the instructor simulated an engine failure and reduced the power on the left engine when the pilot-in-command lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed 500 meters short of runway 18 threshold. Two pilots were killed while four others were injured.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the accident was the consequence of a poor crew coordination while the instructor failed to supervise properly the pilot under training. He also failed to pay sufficient attention to the approach configuration and failed to realize that the approach speed was too low.

Crash of a Martin 404 near Silver Plume: 32 killed

Date & Time: Oct 2, 1970 at 1300 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N464M
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Wichita - Denver - Logan
MSN:
14151
YOM:
1952
Flight number:
GE108
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
37
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
32
Captain / Total flying hours:
2452
Captain / Total hours on type:
123.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4500
Copilot / Total hours on type:
30
Circumstances:
The airplane was chartered by the Wichita State University football team for a special flight from Wichita to Logan with an intermediate stop in Denver, carrying players and supporters. After departure from Denver-Stapleton Airport, the crew went off course and followed a wrong track. While cruising at an altitude of 10,800 feet, the airplane struck trees and crashed on the slope of Mt Trelease (12,447 feet high) located about 10,6 miles west of Silver Plume. Two crew members and 30 passengers were killed while eight other occupants were seriously injured. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
The intentional operation of the aircraft over a mountain valley route at an altitude from which the aircraft could neither climb over the obstructing terrain ahead, nor execute a successful course reversal. Significant factors were the overloaded condition of the aircraft, the virtual absence of flight planning for the chosen route of flight from Denver to Logan, a lack of understanding on the part of the crew of the performance capabilities and limitations of the aircraft, and the lack of operational management to monitor and appropriately control the actions of the flightcrew.
Final Report:

Crash of a Martin 404 in Atlanta: 6 killed

Date & Time: May 30, 1970 at 0930 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N40412
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Atlanta - Fort Myers
MSN:
14116
YOM:
1952
Flight number:
HGH701
Location:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
29
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
25871
Captain / Total hours on type:
1216.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4221
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1718
Aircraft flight hours:
21613
Circumstances:
Lehigh Acres Development, Inc., Flight 701, a Martin 404, N40412, departed from Runway 02R at DeKalb-Peachtree Airport, Chamblee, Georgia, at 0916 e.d.t. on an Instrument Flight Rules flight plan to Fort Myers, Florida. Two pilots, two cabin attendants and 29 passengers were on board. The aircraft had been fueled to approximately 800 gallons prior to departure. The weather at the time of takeoff was: Measured 400 feet overcast, visibility 1 mile with very light rain and fog. Atlanta Departure Control established radar and radio contact with the flight one minute after takeoff. .During the climb, there was a loss of power from the No. 2 engine. This loss rapidly deteriorated to the extent that little useful power was being developed. While the crew was working to correct the discrepancy with the No. 2 engine, the No. 1 engine lost power. The crew declared an emergency and reported that they were going down. Departure Control attempted to vector the aircraft to the Atlanta International Airport for an emergency landing. When the aircraft descended below the overcast, the pilot observed Interstate Highway 285 just below and decided to make an emergency landing on the median strip, heading west. Touchdown on the highway occurred at approximately 0930. The aircraft skidded along the highway for approximately one-half mile, struck the side of the Moreland Avenue bridge, and came to rest on top of the bridge. As the aircraft proceeded along the highway, it struck an automobile that was traveling east and inflicted fatal injuries to the five occupants. One passenger in the aircraft received fatal injuries. The two pilots and one flight attendant received serious injuries. Twenty-seven passengers received injuries requiring medical treatment or hospitalization. The aircraft was destroyed by impact; no fire developed.
Probable cause:
The Safety Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the loss of effective engine power because of improper fuel having been placed in the tanks by relatively untrained personnel. A contributing factor was that the flight crew did not detect the error.
Final Report:

Crash of a Martin 404 in Oxford

Date & Time: Jan 1, 1968 at 2300 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N251S
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
14243
YOM:
1952
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
9500
Captain / Total hours on type:
1400.00
Circumstances:
During a night approach to Oxford-University Airport, the visibility was reduced and the copilot-in-command failed to realize his altitude was too low. The aircraft struck the ground short of runway threshold, lost its undercarriage and came to rest. All three crew members were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The copilot misjudged distance and altitude on final approach. Inadequate supervision of flight on part of the captain. There were no runway approach lights at the time of the accident.
Final Report:

Crash of a Martin 404 in New Bern: 3 killed

Date & Time: Nov 20, 1966 at 0606 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N40406
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Wilmington - New Bern
MSN:
14170
YOM:
1952
Flight number:
PI101
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
12779
Captain / Total hours on type:
2807.00
Circumstances:
The crew departed Wilmington Airport, North Carolina, at 0540LT on a positioning flight to New Bern under call sign PI101. The approach to New Bern-Simmons Nott Airport was started in limited visibility due to the night when the airplane, too low, struck tree tops and crashed in the Croatan National Forest, about 3 miles short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and all three crew members were killed.
Crew:
Joe Helsabeck, pilot,
E. O. Adams, copilot,
Pamela Rumble, stewardess.
Probable cause:
The pilot-in-command descended below obstructing terrain for undetermined reason.
Final Report:

Ground accident of a Martin 404 in Roanoke

Date & Time: Jul 9, 1966 at 0954 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N40446
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
14238
YOM:
1952
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
38
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While parked at Roanoke-Woodrum Airport, all passengers embarked when the undercarriage failed. The airplane sank on its belly. All 42 occupants were evacuated safely and the airplane was later considered as damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Improper maintenance by the maintenance personnel as the hydraulic reservoir, lines and fittings were not properly serviced. Investigations revealed the landing gear pin was not in. On hydraulic test, ground handle moved up due to excessive clnc in sel valve and air hydraulic system.
Final Report:

Crash of a Martin 404 in Rochester: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jul 2, 1963 at 1649 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N449A
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Rochester – White Plains
MSN:
14140
YOM:
1952
Flight number:
MO112
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
38
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Captain / Total flying hours:
15970
Captain / Total hours on type:
414.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
3439
Copilot / Total hours on type:
795
Aircraft flight hours:
29817
Circumstances:
A Mohawk Airlines, Inc., Martin 404, N449A, operating as Flight 112 from Rochester, New York, to Newark, New Jersey, crashed on the Rochester-Monroe County Airport July 2, 1963, at approximately 1649 e d t. Seven of the forty-three persons aboard, including both pilots, were fatally injured. Flight 112 commenced a takeoff on runway 28 as a thunderstorm approaching from the west-northwest, moved over the takeoff runway. After becoming airborne and almost immediately after entering heavy rain and shifting wind conditions, the left wing of the aircraft made contact with the ground. In the ensuing Cartwheel to a stop, the aircraft was destroyed by impact and fire.
Probable cause:
The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was a loss or control during an attempted takeoff into a severe thunderstorm.
Final Report:

Crash of a Martin 404 in Wilmington

Date & Time: Aug 22, 1962 at 0748 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N40401
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Wilmington - Wilmington
MSN:
14101
YOM:
1952
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
4492
Captain / Total hours on type:
125.00
Aircraft flight hours:
20260
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training flight at Wilmington-New Hanover County Airport. After touchdown, the airplane went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. While all three crew members were uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of an unwanted propeller reversal during a critical phase of landing caused by malfunction of the propeller low pitch stop lever assembly, resulting from foreign matter in the servo valve control.

Crash of a Martin 404 in Melbourne

Date & Time: Mar 17, 1958
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N496A
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tampa – Melbourne
MSN:
14244
YOM:
1952
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Melbourne Airport, the aircraft was too low, causing an undercarriage to struck a gravel pile located short of runway threshold. The crew continued the approach and at touchdown, the undercarriage collapsed. The airplane sank on its belly and slid for several yards before coming to rest in flames. All ten occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was destroyed by fire.

Crash of a Martin 404 in Massena

Date & Time: Nov 14, 1957 at 1530 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N492A
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
New York – Albany – Plattsburgh – Malone – Massena
MSN:
14240
YOM:
1952
Flight number:
EA0183
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
11870
Captain / Total hours on type:
535.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
738
Copilot / Total hours on type:
155
Aircraft flight hours:
15617
Circumstances:
Eastern Air Lines Flight 18 is a scheduled operation serving the carrier's route between New York City and Massena, New York, and its intermediate stops at Albany, Plattsburg, and Malone, New York. On November 14, at 1245, the flight originated on schedule, its flight crew consisting of Captain Joseph W. Harpham, First Officer Robert Casper and Flight Attendant Nancy A. Price. The flight followed routine preparation and was in accordance with an IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) flight plan. The general weather conditions over most of the route were forecast to be good. The flight proceeded through the intermediate stops in a routine manner, with most passengers deplaning at Albany and Flattsburg. Just prior to reaching Malone the instrument flight plan was canceled in good weather conditions. The flight landed at Malone at 1502. Continuing uneventfully, Flight 18 departed Malone at 1510. The gross takeoff weight of the Martin 404 was 35,977 pounds, 8,923 pounds under the maximum allowable. According to the load manifest the load was properly distributed within the center of gravity limitations. The first officer made the takeoff, climbed the aircraft approximately 2,500 feet, and flew it to Massena. Captain Harpham from his left seat, supervised the flight and performed the duties of copilot. At 1516, when about eight miles east of Richards Field, Captain Harpham reported the flight's position, then asked for and received landing information, which included the surface wind as “northeast 5 to 10 knots," and the active runway 4 (150 feet wide and 4,000 feet long). First Officer Casper established a downwind leg at 1,200 feet to execute a rectangular left-hand pattern for landing on runway 4. The flight was viewed briefly by ground observers during the pattern before reaching the final landing approach and it seemed entirely normal. As the aircraft drew closer to the threshold it seemed high and thereafter assumed an abnormally steep descent. As it approached the runway surface the aircraft assumed a flareout attitude, however, the rate of descent continued with little visible abatement. Consequently, N492A contacted the runway surface with great force at which time the right powerplant separated from the aircraft. The aircraft rebounded and again contacted with great force. It then rolled forward and gradually off the runway to the right. Before stopping it crossed a taxiway and the left powerplant fell free, accompanied by a small fire in the engine and the empty nacelle area. As the aircraft stopped Captain Harpham shut off the fuel and electrical services and ordered the loading ramp lowered. The passengers and crew quickly evacuated by this exit without difficulty or reported injury. At 1522, two minutes after the accident, weather conditions were reported as: Ceiling 4,000 feet broken, 10,000 feet, overcast; visibility 3 miles; haze; wind northeast 6 knots.
Probable cause:
The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the captain's incorrect technique during the final approach which resulted in an abnormally steep nose-down attitude and high rate of descent, the latter not being sufficiently arrested before touchdown. The following findings were reported:
- The first officer operated the aircraft in the traffic pattern,
- During the turn to the base leg and while on base leg, an overriding was allowed to drift the aircraft closer to the airport,
- From a higher and closer than normal position on final approach, the captain took control of the aircraft and continued the approach,
- The throttles were closed, landing flap was extended, and the aircraft was slowed to 95 knots,
- The aircraft descended in an abnormally steep nose-down attitude and at a high rate of descent,
- The altitude remaining was insufficient for the aircraft in its existing configuration to regain adequate flareout speed,
- The flareout attitude was accomplished; however, the rate of descent continued with little abatement,
- The aircraft contacted the runway with great force causing major structural damage,
- Important limits in the approach technique were not included as part of company pilot training,
- There was no malfunction or failure of the aircraft prior to the runway contact.
Final Report: