Louisiana

Country:

Region:

Rockwell 1121 Jet Commander

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While in cruising altitude, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity. The pilot-in-command suffered a spatial disorientation and lost control of the aircraft that entered a dive and crashed into gulf of Mexico off Cameron. Both occupants were killed. They were engaged in an illegal smuggling flight.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled descent and subsequent crash after the pilot-in-command continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot-in-command suffered a spatial disorientation,
- Thunderstorm activity,
- Aircraft came to rest in water,
- Aircraft loaded with marijuana,
- Severe thunderstorm in progress.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell 1121 Jet Commander in Many: 3 killed

Date & Time: Dec 19, 1980 at 1050 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Langham Petroleum Corporation

Registration:

N29LB

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

New Orleans - Many

MSN:

1121-061

YOM:

1966

Location:

Many-Hart Memorial

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

7050

Circumstances:

On final approach to Many-Hart Memorial Airport, the crew was completing a right turn to 45° when the right wingtip fuel tank struck a tree. Out of control, the airplane stalled and crashed in a wooded area. A passenger was seriously injured while three other occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Stall on final approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot-in-command failed to maintain flying speed,
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Unfavorable wind conditions,
- Visibility 3/4 mile or less,
- Weather conditions below minimums,
- NBD circling approach,
- Wind gusting 35 knots.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 401 in Houma: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 12, 1980 at 0800 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 401

Operator:

Registration:

N444CS

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

New Orleans - Houma

MSN:

401-0093

YOM:

1969

Location:

Houma-Terrebonne

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2145

Captain / Total hours on type:

250.00

Circumstances:

The pilot started the approach to Houma-Terrebonne Airport in marginal weather conditions (visibility 3 miles or less in fog and haze). On final, the Cessna 401 collided with a Cessna 180 registered N66186. Operated by Wurzlow Flying Service, it was approaching the same airport with one passenger and one pilot on board. Following the collision, the Cessna 401 went out of control and crashed, bursting into flames. Its pilot was killed. The pilot of the Cessna 180 was able to complete an emergency landing and both occupants were slightly injured.

Probable cause:

In-flight collision on final approach after both pilots failed to see and avoid other aircraft. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fog,
- Obstructions to vision,
- Visibility 3 miles or less,
- Haze,
- Not under radar contact,
- No control area,
- Convergence angle 30°,
- Horizontal collision angle 60°,
- Anti-collision lights on.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 404 Titan in New Orleans: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 27, 1980 at 2332 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 404 Titan

Operator:

Faraday Industries

Registration:

N5237J

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

New Orleans-Louis Armstrong (Moisant)

Schedule:

Las Vegas - New Orleans - Mobile

MSN:

404-0619

YOM:

1979

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

On final approach to New Orleans-Moisant Airport, both engines failed. The aircraft stalled and crashed few miles from the airport. The passenger was seriously injured and the pilot was killed. The aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Double engine failure, stall and subsequent crash on final approach due to an inadequate preflight preparation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Improper in-flight decisions or planning,
- Fuel exhaustion,
- The pilot failed to maintain flying speed,
- Complete failure of both engines.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-9-14 in Baton Rouge

Date & Time: Mar 17, 1980 at 1645 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-9

Operator:

Registration:

N9103

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Baton Rouge-Metropolitan (Ryan)

Schedule:

Houston - Baton Rouge

MSN:

45796/74

YOM:

1966

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

15732

Captain / Total hours on type:

8720.00

Circumstances:

The airplane landed in rain falls with a 18 knots tailwind about 2,000 feet down runway 13 which is 5,800 feet long. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran and came to rest in a ditch about 350 feet further and 200 feet to the right of the extended centreline. All 50 occupants escaped without injuries while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. At the time of the accident, the total weight of the airplane was 71,000 lbs.

Probable cause:

Overshoot on landing and subsequent overrun and collision with ditch because ATC cleared the aircraft to wrong runway for existing conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions on part of the pilot-in-command,
- Improper operation of brakes and flight controls on part of the pilot-in-command,
- Rain,
- Wet runway,
- Downwind,
- Haze,
- Aircraft over 25,000 lbs upon landing on runway 13, restricted to zero tailwind/10 knots crosswind when wet,
- Runway 22 available,
- Spoilers not used after touchdown.

Final Report:

Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2-40 Solitaire off New Orleans: 7 killed

Date & Time: Feb 23, 1980 at 1118 LT

Type of aircraft:

Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquise

Operator:

Proform

Registration:

N962MA

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Chicago - New Orleans

MSN:

401

YOM:

1979

Location:

New Orleans-Lakefront

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

10000

Captain / Total hours on type:

2500.00

Circumstances:

The approach to New Orleans-Lakefront Airport was completed in limited visibility due to low ceiling and foggy conditions. The twin engine airplane struck the water surface and crashed into Lake Pontchartrain. The wreckage was found about 400 yards to the left of the localizer and all seven occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Controlled collision with water on final approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Visibility 1/4 mile or less,
- Weather conditions below minimums.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-90 King Air near Leeville: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 22, 1979 at 0135 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft 90 King Air

Operator:

Registration:

N724N

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Houston - Tampa

MSN:

LJ-82

YOM:

1966

Location:

Leeville

Country:

Region:

Rockwell Grand Commander 680

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2404

Circumstances:

While in cruising altitude on a night flight from Houston to Tampa, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with icing. After the pilot suffered a spatial disorientation, the twin engine airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and partially disintegrated in the air before crashing in a lake located near Leeville. Both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled descent and subsequent airframe failure in-flight after the pilot suffered spatial disorientation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot exceeded designed stress limits of the aircraft,
- Incorrect weather briefing,
- Icing conditions including sleet, freezing rain,
- Flight control surfaces: horizontal stabilizer, attachments,
- Wing spars,
- Overload failure,
- Separation in flight,
- Aircraft came to rest in water.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680W near Alexandria

Date & Time: Oct 4, 1979 at 1915 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

John Cary

Registration:

N713SP

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Pensacola - Fort Worth

MSN:

680-1805-27

YOM:

1968

Location:

Alexandria

Country:

Region:

Marr Short Stops of Texas

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1841

Captain / Total hours on type:

31.00

Circumstances:

While in cruising altitude on a flight from Pensacola to Fort Worth, the pilot contacted ATC and declared an emergency due to fire in the cabin and smoke in the cockpit. He was cleared to initiate a rapid descent and eventually decided to attempt an emergency landing in an open field. The airplane landed safely in a pasture and burned immediately afterwards. All three occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was destroyed by fire.

Probable cause:

In-flight fire or explosion for undetermined reasons. The following findings were reported:
- Smoke in cockpit,
- Fire in cabin, cockpit and baggage compartment,
- Overload failure,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Smoke in cockpit.

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Luling: 4 killed

Date & Time: Sep 20, 1979 at 1103 LT

Type of aircraft:

Piper PA-31-310 Navajo

Operator:

Registration:

N27614

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

New Orleans - Fort Worth

MSN:

31-7812058

YOM:

1978

Location:

Luling

Country:

Region: