Crash of a Stinson V-77 Reliant in Auburn: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 24, 2020 at 0956 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N50249
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Auburn - Auburn
MSN:
77-458
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
650
Circumstances:
The pilot departed on a local flight with two passengers. Several witnesses reported that they heard the airplane’s engine backfiring and sputtering and subsequently heard the engine quit. The surviving passenger, who was seated in the front right seat, stated that the engine lost power and there was nowhere to land. The airplane subsequently impacted heavily wooded terrain about 1 mile from the departure airport. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the No. 7 cylinder intake valve was stuck open. The No. 2 cylinder front spark plug was defective, and the Nos. 2- and 4-cylinders’ ignition wires were frayed, worn, and displayed arcing, which likely led to erratic operation or a lack of ignition in these two cylinders. The culmination of these issues most likely led to the engine running rough, backfiring, and subsequently losing total power. An annual inspection was accomplished on the airframe and engine about 2 months before the
accident. General maintenance practices and the inspection should have identified the anomalies that were found during the postaccident engine examination.
Probable cause:
A total loss of engine power due to a combination of mechanical engine anomalies. Contributing to the accident was inadequate maintenance that failed to identify the engine anomalies.
Final Report:

Crash of a Stinson V-77 Reliant in Twentynine Palms

Date & Time: Jun 22, 1976 at 1830 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N69747
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Lake Havasu – Chino
MSN:
77-490
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3600
Captain / Total hours on type:
110.00
Circumstances:
En route, oil temperature got high and the oil pressure got low. Oil spread on windshield. The engine lost power and the crew attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft struck a cabin and crashed, bursting into flames. Both occupants were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons.
Final Report:

Crash of a Stinson V-77 in Jonesboro

Date & Time: May 17, 1976 at 0750 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N9195H
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Jonesboro - Jonesboro
MSN:
77-383
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
55
Captain / Total hours on type:
0.00
Circumstances:
The pilot was performing local flight when, on final approach, the engine failed. The aircraft lost height, struck power cables and crashed, bursting into flames. The pilot escaped with minor injuries.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure caused by inadequate maintenance and inspection. The fuel system (carburetor) failed, causing fuel starvation. Forced landing off airport on land. Carburetor float pivot shaft separation from float housing.
Final Report:

Crash of a Stinson V-77 Reliant in Cave City

Date & Time: Aug 2, 1975 at 1530 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N9360H
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bowling Green – Chicago
MSN:
77-350
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
23880
Captain / Total hours on type:
26.00
Circumstances:
En route to Chicago, the pilot encountered engine problems. He elected to make an emergency landing when the aircraft struck a 20 feet deep gully, got airborne again, hit trees and crashed. Both occupants were slightly injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure in flight after the propeller seal loosened. Oil exhaustion - engine lubrication system. Poor, inadequate design.
Final Report:

Crash of a Stinson V-77 Reliant in Bettles: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 13, 1971 at 1015 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N5709N
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Fairbanks – Bettles
MSN:
77-33
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
1200
Captain / Total hours on type:
440.00
Circumstances:
While approaching Bettles Airport, the pilot initiated a steep left turn from low pass at strip located between close-in mountains when the aircraft lost height and crashed. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Poor judgment on part of the pilot who failed to maintain flying speed. Observers reported wind strong, gusty.
Final Report:

Crash of a Stinson V-77 Reliant in Perris Valley: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 7, 1970 at 1404 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N69440
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Perris Valley - Perris Valley
MSN:
77-107
YOM:
1943
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
800
Captain / Total hours on type:
252.00
Circumstances:
While completing a skydiving flight, the aircraft suffered an airframe failure. Control was lost and it crashed near the Perris Valley Airport. Five occupants were rescued while a passenger was killed.
Probable cause:
Probable cause(s):
- pilot in command - inadequate preflight preparation and/or planning,
- pilot in command - exercised poor judgment,
- pilot in command - failed to follow approved procedures, directives,etc.,
- personnel - maintenance, servicing, inspection: inadequate maintenance and inspection,
- airframe - wings: skin and attachments,
- miscellaneous acts,conditions - improperly loaded aircraft-weight-and/or c.g.
Factor(s):
- miscellaneous acts,conditions - overload failure.
Remarks- metal skin coverage top left wing loose, skin working, separation occurred. Pilot exceeded aircraft operations limits before occurrence.
Final Report:

Crash of a Stinson V-77 Reliant in Lake Dallas

Date & Time: Nov 7, 1965 at 0925 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N69565
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
77-11
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2000
Captain / Total hours on type:
150.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff, during initial climb, the single engine struck trees and crashed. All four occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot who failed to use or incorrectly used anti-icing/deicing equipment.
Final Report:

Crash of a Stinson V-77 Reliant in Boise: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 16, 1965 at 1745 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N60361
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Boise - Boise
MSN:
77-43
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
5000
Captain / Total hours on type:
100.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Boise Airport, the pilot initiated a go-around procedure when the aircraft struck a dirt bank and crashed, bursting into flames. Both occupants, performing a demo flight, were killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot delayed in initiating go-around procedure and seat belt was not fastened.
Final Report:

Crash of a Stinson SR-10 Reliant in São Bernardo de Campo: 5 killed

Date & Time: Oct 11, 1954 at 1050 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PP-DKS
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Campo de Marte – Praia Grande
MSN:
288
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Ten minutes after its takeoff from Campo de Marte AFB in São Paulo, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in São Bernardo de Campo, in the south of the city. All five occupants were killed.

Crash of a Stinson SR-10 Reliant in Asunción: 6 killed

Date & Time: Nov 9, 1949
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ZP-CA?
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Asunción Airport runway 20, while in initial climb, the aircraft stalled and crashed in Campo Grande, south of the airfield. All six occupants were killed. They were performing a flight to the north province of Chaco. The type of aircraft remains unconfirmed and the registration is unknown. At this time, LATN was operating Beech C-45, Consolidated Fleet, Caproni Ca-309, Breda Ba.44, Beech AT-7, Travel Air 6000 and later Noorduyn Norseman.