Crash of a Grumman TC-4C Gulfstream I at Cherry Point MCAS: 9 killed

Date & Time: Oct 16, 1975
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
155723
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Cherry Point - Cherry Point
MSN:
178
YOM:
1967
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
Shortly after lift off, a low torque sensing switch failed precipitating an auto feather of an engine. The crew mis-handled the required feathering procedure, allowing the propeller to unfeather and windmill. Subsequently, the crew retracted the flaps. This disabled a spring tab on the rudder which was designed to give additional rudder authority for high power/low airspeed situations. The result of the windmilling propeller and the loss in rudder authority was that V(mca) increased from 101 kts to 138 kts. The airplane rolled inverted and crashed. Witness marks on the operating engine's propeller reportedly indicated that the airplane's speed when it crashed was less than 90 kts. All on board, four crew men, four students and one instructor, were killed.

Crash of a Grumman G-159 Gulfstream I in Addison

Date & Time: Jul 11, 1975 at 2355 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N71CR
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Cedar Rapids - Addison
MSN:
163
YOM:
1965
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
10705
Captain / Total hours on type:
6982.00
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Cedar Rapids, the crew started the descent to Addison by night. On short final, he encountered heavy rain falls and the pilot initiated a go-around when the airplane descended and crashed onto the runway. All nine occupants escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
On short final, the airplane encountered windshear and sudden windshift and crashed onto the runway.
Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-159 Gulfstream I in Harrisburg

Date & Time: Jul 25, 1967 at 1535 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N205M
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
62
YOM:
1961
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
16880
Captain / Total hours on type:
1668.00
Circumstances:
The approach to Harrisburg-Capital City Airport was completed in poor weather conditions. After touchdown on a wet runway, the crew encountered difficulties to decelerate and the captain eventually decided to make a sharp turn to avoid an overrun. The aircraft veered off runway, lost its undercarriage and came to a halt. While all eight occupants were uninjured, the airplane was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration on part of the crew who selected the wrong runway relative to existing wind and failed to initiate a go-around. The landing procedure was completed at an excessive speed of 105 knots with a tailwind of 9 knots.
Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-159 Gulfstream I near Le Center: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 11, 1967 at 1104 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N861H
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Minneapolis - Minneapolis
MSN:
147
YOM:
1964
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
9388
Captain / Total hours on type:
639.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
9125
Copilot / Total hours on type:
67
Aircraft flight hours:
1937
Circumstances:
The crew departed Minneapolis-St Paul Airport for a local training mission. En route, while in cruising altitude, the airplane went into an uncontrolled descent until it crashed in an open field located 5 miles southeast of Le Center. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the electric pitch control mechanism. Excessive temperature in relays and wiring, causing fire in engine, brakes and wheel assembly.
Final Report: