Crash of a Cessna 401 in Rutherfordton: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 1, 1991 at 1435 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N3298Q
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Rutherfordton - Salisbury
MSN:
401-0098
YOM:
1969
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
1310
Aircraft flight hours:
5975
Circumstances:
The accident occurred during the pilot's second attempt to fly to his destination. According to airport personnel, he did not refuel the airplane after he returned from the first attempt. He had onloaded 43.6 gallons of fuel before departing on the first flight. After departing Rutherfordton on the second flight, the airplane was observed about 400 feet above the ground and 4 miles north of Monroe. One witness reported that the right engine was sputtering as it flew overhead; seconds later, the airplane crashed into a wooded area. A wreckage examination disclosed that the fuel system was empty. No fuel was found in the left engine fuel flow divider. Airport personnel also reported the pilot was not knowledgeable of the aircraft fuel system. According to the owner's manual, the fuel consumption rate for cruise at 75% power was about 16 gallons per hour per engine. The pilot had operated the engines approximately 2 hours 10 minutes before they lost power. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Inadequate preflight by the pilot, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, due to an inadequate supply of fuel. The pilot's lack of familiarity with the aircraft fuel system was a related factor.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Lynchburg: 5 killed

Date & Time: Aug 28, 1989 at 0045 LT
Registration:
N234J
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Salisbury - Lynchburg
MSN:
31-7952021
YOM:
1979
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
1345
Captain / Total hours on type:
190.00
Circumstances:
The pilot unsuccessfully tried twice to land on runway 03. He did a visual approach and then an ILS approach. The pilot and witnesses reported foggy conditions at the airport. The pilot flew the ILS approach as a third attempt to land when the crash occurred. Radar data showed the aircraft descended to 1,100 feet msl on the approach, about 1/2 mile from the runway. The published decision height was 1,118 feet. The radar data indicated the aircraft passed east of the runway threshold at an altitude of 1,000 feet msl. The next and last radar data shows the aircraft about 2,300 feet beyond and 400 feet east of the runway. The investigation revealed the aircraft struck trees east of the runway and then crashed in a cornfield. An examination did not disclose evidence of a malfunction. The landing gear was retracted and the flaps were extended 10°. All five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Pilot's failure to maintain clearance from obstructions because of improper ifr operation. Contributing to the accident was descent below decision height, delay in initiating the missed approach, and fog conditions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Vickers 748D Viscount in Kariba: 59 killed

Date & Time: Feb 12, 1979 at 1705 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VP-YND
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Kariba - Salisbury
MSN:
101
YOM:
19567
Flight number:
RH825
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
54
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
59
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Kariba Airport, while climbing, the airplane was struck by two SAM-7 missiles. Out of control, it plunged into the ground and crashed in a huge explosion few km from the airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 59 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Shut down by two SAM-7 missiles from the Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) guerrilla.

Crash of a Vickers 782D Viscount near Kariba: 48 killed

Date & Time: Sep 3, 1978 at 1715 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VP-WAS
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Victoria Falls – Kariba – Salisbury
MSN:
297
YOM:
1958
Flight number:
RH825
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
52
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
48
Circumstances:
The four engine aircraft departed Kariba Airport at 1710LT bound for Salisbury. While climbing, the crew declared an emergency after a SAM-7 missile struck the right wing. With both right engines out of service, the pilots reduced the altitude and attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed in the Whamira Hills, about 35 km southeast of Kariba. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and 38 occupants were killed while 18 other survived. Members of the Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) arrived quickly on the scene and killed 10 of the 18 survivors. A day later, rescuers arrived at the crash site and were able to evacuate eight survivors.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) SAM-7 missile.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560 in Skaneateles: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 12, 1976 at 1236 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N2692B
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Skaneateles – Salisbury – Wilmington
MSN:
560-192
YOM:
1955
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
11200
Captain / Total hours on type:
3300.00
Circumstances:
Just after liftoff at Skaneateles Airstrip, the twin engine airplane touched the runway and drifted to the left, causing the left main gear to struck a snowbank. The takeoff was continued when the airplane went out of control and rolled inverted. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Ground loop during takeoff run after the pilot diverted attention from operation of aircraft. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to maintain directional control,
- Failed to abort takeoff,
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Airport conditions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Salisbury: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 2, 1968 at 0045 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N281FM
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
BA-116
YOM:
1955
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
5539
Captain / Total hours on type:
5.00
Circumstances:
While completing a regional cargo flight, the crew informed ATC about an in-flight fire and was cleared to divert to Salisbury-Rowan County Airport for an emergency landing. On approach, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in flames few dozen miles short of runway. The passenger and a pilot were seriously injured while the second pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
In-flight fire at rear of the instrument panel. The source of ignition could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of an Avro 619 Five near Broken Hill

Date & Time: Jan 18, 1932
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
G-AASO
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Salisbury – Broken Hill
MSN:
383
YOM:
1930
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While approaching Broken Hill on a flight from Salisbury, the pilot encountered an unexpected situation and was forced to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in an uninhabited area located 19 km from Broken Hill. All five occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.