Zone
Kentucky

Crash of a Beechcraft E18 in Madison: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 11, 1974 at 0010 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft E18
Operator:
Madison Nation Airways
Registration:
N1258
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Madison - Lexington
MSN:
BA-435
YOM:
1959
Location:
Madison
Indiana
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
3366
Captain / Total hours on type:
2000.00
Circumstances:
After a night takeoff at Madison Airport, the twin engine airplane encountered difficulties to gain height when it struck tree tops and crashed in a wooded area. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees after the crew misjudged altitude and clearance. The following contributing factors were reported:
- High obstructions,
- Hi trees 50 feet AGL on runway heading, 2,300 feet from runway end,
- Landing gear in transit.
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 23 in Detroit: 3 killed

Date & Time: Dec 15, 1972 at 1146 LT
Type of aircraft:
Learjet 23
Operator:
Registration:
N20M
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Detroit - Lexington
MSN:
23-094
YOM:
1966
Location:
Detroit-Metropolitan-Wayne County
Michigan
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
4302
Captain / Total hours on type:
1072.00
Circumstances:
Just after liftoff from runway 03R at Detroit-Wayne County Airport, while in initial climb, the airplane crashed on a fuel storage tank and exploded. Both pilots, en route to Lexington on a ferry flight, were killed, as well as one people on the ground.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft G18S in Elkton: 11 killed

Date & Time: Nov 17, 1972 at 2320 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft G18S
Operator:
Metro Air System
Registration:
N2700S
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Hopkinsville - Lexington
MSN:
BA-567
YOM:
1960
Location:
Elkton
Kentucky
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Captain / Total flying hours:
22145
Captain / Total hours on type:
476.00
Circumstances:
While cruising by night in marginal weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft went out of control, spiraled to the ground and crashed in an open field located near Elkton. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 11 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent following an inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot. The following factors were reported:
- Improperly loaded aircraft,
- Failure to provide adequate directives, manual and equipment on part of the personnel,
- Icing conditions, including sleet and freezing rain,
- Approximately 798 pounds over gross weight,
- CofG was 2,72 inches aft rear limit.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II in Cleveland: 5 killed

Date & Time: Aug 7, 1972 at 1800 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II
Operator:
Jerrico
Registration:
N123QF
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Cleveland - Lexington
MSN:
421B-0139
YOM:
1971
Location:
Cleveland-Hardwick
Tennessee
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
8500
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Cleveland-Hardwick Airport, while in initial climb, the right engine lost power. The pilot was cleared to return for an emergency landing and started an immediate turn before trying to feather the right propeller. Due to insufficient speed, the airplane lost height, stalled and crashed, killing all five occupants.
Probable cause:
Loss of power on the right engine during initial climb due to material failure. The following factors were reported:
- Powerplant failure due to master and connecting rods failure,
- The pilot failed to follow the approved procedures,
- The pilot failed to maintain flying speed,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Right engine n°5 cylinder connecting rod bolt failed,
- The pilot tried to return to airport before feathering the right propeller,
- Aircraft near gross weight.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft H18 in Charlottesville

Date & Time: Nov 29, 1971 at 1400 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft H18
Operator:
Mercury Aircraft
Registration:
N717Z
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Lexington - Charlottesville
MSN:
BA-710
YOM:
1964
Location:
Charlottesville
Virginia
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
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 Douglas C-47-DL in Cincinnati: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 12, 1955 at 0904 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Castelton
Registration:
N999B
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Battle Creek – Lexington – Miami
MSN:
4255
YOM:
1942
Location:
Cincinnati
Kentucky
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew departed Battle Creek Airport at 0733LT bound for Miami with an intermediate stop at Lexington, Kentucky. While cruising at an altitude between 700 and 900 feet, the left wing of the aircraft collided with the right engine of a Trans World Airlines (TWA) Martin 202 registered N93211 that just took off from Cincinnati-Greater Cincinnati Airport. Following the collision, both aircraft went into a dive and crashed in a snow covered field and a wooded area located in the suburb of Cincinnati. Both aircraft were completely destroyed upon impact and all 15 occupants on both airplanes were killed.
Probable cause:
The probable cause of this accident was operation of the DC-3 in the control zone as unknown traffic, without clearance, very close to the base of, or in, the overcast.
Final Report:
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