Birmingham

After a standard engine start the aircraft was taxied to runway 33 and, at 1743 hours, was cleared for takeoff and departure for Norwich. The pilot has stated that the initial takeoff acceleration appeared to be normal and that all engine power instruments were indicating in the green area. At an indicated airspeed of 100 knots he raised the nose and the aircraft lifted off the runway, however there was no further increase in airspeed. He retracted the landing gear and lowered the nose to attempt to gain more airspeed. At this time the airspeed had reduced to 90 knots and the pilot felt some vibration from the elevators. Realising that the aircraft would neither climb nor accelerate, the pilot selected what he hoped was a clear area in which to carry out a 'landing gear up' crash landing. All 12 occupants were injured, three of them seriously.

Shortly after climbing and leveling at 6,000 feet, the right engine bmep gage indicated a rapid power loss and the right engine rpm 'increased out of control' to about 3,100 rpm. The aircrew retarded the right throttle and reduced the right engine to 2,100 rpm by using the prop increase/decrease toggle switch. The aircrew were unable to feather the right propeller or maintain altitude, so they diverted to the nearest airport (Walker County). While turning downwind for runway 09, the right engine fire indicator activated and the copilot confirmed a fire. Both fire bottles were discharged and the right propeller stopped rotating. Injection water for the left engine was exhausted and the left engine began backfiring. The captain then maneuvered and landed on runway 27. After touchdown, the right main tires failed, the aircraft veered off the right side of the runway and hit a ditch and the gear collapsed. An exam revealed the #6 cylinder link rod and/or piston in the right engine had failed, resulting in further damage to the engine and #6 cylinder. Subsequently, fire and heat caused the right engine to seize and also damaged the right main tires which failed at touchdown. All 39 occupants were evacuated, among them two passengers were seriously injured.

En route from Chattanooga to Birmingham, while in cruising altitude, the twin engine entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in an open field. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

The twin engine airplane departed Birmingham with one pilot and six potential customers on board for a demonstration flight to Mobile. While in normal cruise, the airplane suffered a complete in-flight breakup, dove into the ground and crashed near Demopolis. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all seven occupants were killed.

On approach to Auburn-Opelika-Robert G. Pitts (University Regional) Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with low ceiling and fog. On final, the twin engine airplane struck trees, stalled and crashed in a wooded area located few hundred yards short of runway threshold. Two occupants were injured while a pilot was killed. It was reported that trees in area of first impact were about 73 feet below airport elevation and 650 feet below MDA.

The airplane departed Washington-National Airport bound for Birmingham, Alabama. Four minutes later, while climbing to an altitude of 9,300 feet, monitoring radar stations lost continuous reception of the aircraft's primary and secondary radar target information. Shortly thereafter, ground witnesses saw an explosion in the sky followed by the wreckage of the aircraft falling to the ground. the sky was overcast and light rain was falling. The four persons aboard were killed and the aircraft was destroyed. One residence and two automobiles were destroyed by impact and fire and several other homes were damaged by falling debris.

During the takeoff roll at Clanton-Ware Island Airport, the right main gear collapsed. The pilot retracted the gear to maintain directional control and the airplane came to rest in flames. The pilot was uninjured while the aircraft was written off.

The aircraft was on a flight from Middleton St. George to Birmingham, and the crew of one pilot and one photographer planned to complete several photographic survey jobs en route. Shortly after sunset, when flying at 2,000 ft. a.m.s.l. at an estimated position five miles west of Sheffield and near high ground rising to 2,000 ft. a.m.s.l., the pilot decided that the fuel remaining was insufficient to reach Birmingham with the existing headwind of 40 knots. He established contact with Manchester Approach Control and was given permission to divert to Manchester Airport on a special VFR clearance "not above 3,500 ft. a.m.s.l. on a QNH of 1013 mbs., clear of all cloud, and in sight of the surface". Shortly after this, when on a north-westerly heading to intercept a QDM of 270°M to the 'ME' (Manchester) beacon, the pilot saw hill tops about four miles ahead and commenced climbing from 2,000 ft. to 3,500 ft. The pilot states that the aircraft entered cloud at 2,500 ft. and that, on reaching 2,700 ft., he noticed that the vertical speed indicator was showing a descent of 2,000 ft./min. He states that he applied full power and eased the nose up but, after this, he remembers nothing further until he regained consciousness lying on the ground, alongside the photographer in front of the wrecked aircraft.

Shortly after takeoff from Birmingham Airport, while climbing, the airplane stalled and crashed in a field located in Elmdon. There were no injuries but the aircraft was written off.

At liftoff, while in initial climb, the airplane banked right, causing the right wing tip to struck the ground. The aircraft struck the ground and came to rest with a small fire on the left engine that was quickly extinguished. All 31 occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.