Albuquerque

Executive/Corporate/Business

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Saratoga - Albuquerque

MSN:

776

YOM:

1980

Location:

Saratoga-Shively Field

Wyoming

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

16600

Captain / Total hours on type:

5000.00

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Saratoga-Shively Field, while in initial climb, the twin engine airplane crashed in a right descending turn, bursting into flames. Both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled collision with ground for unknown reasons. Density altitude 6,900 feet. No pre-accident malfunction or failure found.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 401 in Albuquerque: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 22, 1981 at 1230 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 401

Operator:

Mid Eastern Airways

Registration:

N441RS

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Ferry

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Albuquerque - Santa Rosa - Chesapeake

MSN:

401-0027

YOM:

1967

Location:

Albuquerque

Country:

Region:

Rockwell Aero Commander 500

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

6650

Captain / Total hours on type:

1020.00

Circumstances:

Immediately after takeoff from Albuquerque Airport, the twin engine airplane stalled and crashed near the runway end, bursting into flames. Both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Stall during initial climb after the pilot misunderstood orders or instructions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot selected the wrong runway relative to existing wind,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- High density altitude, about 9,000 feet,
- The pilot thought ferry permit prohibited use of longer runway due to populated area,
- Uphill gradient.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500 near Santa Fe: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 22, 1979 at 1319 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N6194X

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Ferry

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Albuquerque - Denver

MSN:

500-1055-44

YOM:

1961

Location:

Santa Fe

Country:

Region:

Landing (descent or approach)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1340

Captain / Total hours on type:

71.00

Circumstances:

While flying in marginal weather conditions, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed in a mountain shrouded in clouds. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Collision with trees and subsequent crash in normal cruise due to improper IFR operation on part of the pilot. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Traffic control personnel issued improper or conflicting instructions,
- Santa Fe weather observation reported mountain tops obscured,
- The controller was not familiar with high terrain in area or MVA.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 500 Citation I in Castle Rock: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 19, 1979 at 2015 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 500 Citation

Operator:

National Jet Industries

Registration:

N555AJ

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Albuquerque - Castle Rock

MSN:

500-0007

YOM:

1971

Location:

Castle Rock

Colorado

Country:

Region:

Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1751

Captain / Total hours on type:

61.00

Circumstances:

The crew was completing a cargo flight from Albuquerque to Castle Rock. On final approach, he encountered poor weather conditions with icing, low ceiling and snow falls, reducing the visibility to one mile in blowing snow. On approach, the airplane crashed in flames few miles short of runway threshold. A pilot was seriously injured while two other occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Controlled collision with ground during initial approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Snow,
- Icing conditions,
- Visibility one mile or less,
- The pilot was upgraded to left seat six days prior to the accident,
- The copilot was certified on type two days prior to the accident,
- Crew inexperience.

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Albuquerque: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 13, 1979 at 1635 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Verna Drilling Company

Registration:

N54286

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Albuquerque - Midland

MSN:

31-7405226

YOM:

1974

Location:

Albuquerque

Country:

Region:

Rockwell Shrike Commander 500

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

6000

Circumstances:

Few minutes after takeoff from Albuquerque Airport, while climbing, the right engine failed after the hydraulic pump was inop. The pilot shut down the right engine and feathered its propeller before initiated a turn back to the airport. The airplane nosed down then crashed in flames. The pilot and a passenger were killed while four other occupants were injured.

Probable cause:

Nose down and subsequent crash due to inadequate maintenance and inspection. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Engine structure: piston, piston rings,
- Lack of lubrication - specific part, not system,
- Overheated,
- Failure of the hydraulic pump, improperly installed,
- The pilot failed to follow approved procedures,
- High temperature (OAT),
- High density altitude (7,750 feet),
- Rough terrain,
- Landing gear extended during go-around from gear-up approach.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Shrike Commander 500S in Gallup: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 17, 1978 at 0850 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

John D. Kennedy

Registration:

N2973F

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Gallup - Albuquerque

MSN:

500S-3062

YOM:

1970

Location:

Gallup

Country:

Region:

Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1467

Captain / Total hours on type:

517.00

Circumstances:

While taking off from Gallup-Senator Clark Airport, the twin engine airplane encountered difficulties to gain height, stalled and crashed in flames. The passenger was killed while the pilot was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Stall during initial climb due to inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Airframe ice,
- Improper operation of powerplant and powerplant controls,
- Frost on aircraft,
- Turbochargers not used on takeoff.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II in Follett: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 29, 1976 at 1005 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Stilwell Aircraft Service

Registration:

N71HG

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Albuquerque - Gage - Tahlequah

MSN:

421B-0136

YOM:

1971

Location:

Follett-Lipscomb County

Texas

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1000

Captain / Total hours on type:

100.00

Circumstances:

The twin engine airplane was completing a flight from Albuquerque to Tahlequah, Oklahoma, with an intermediate stop in Gage. En route, the left engine lost power and the pilot elected to divert to Follett-Lipscomb County Airport. On approach, the airplane stalled and crashed in flames in a prairie. The pilot was killed and all three passengers were seriously injured.

Probable cause:

Engine malfunction during normal cruise and stall on initial approach due to insufficient speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection,
- Lubricating system,
- Oil exhaustion,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Improper IFR operation,
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Fog.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 340 in Ruidoso: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 29, 1976 at 1650 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 340

Operator:

Registration:

N4098L

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Ruidoso – Albuquerque

MSN:

340-0084

YOM:

1972

Location:

Ruidoso-Sierra Blanca

Country:

Region:

Landing (descent or approach)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1056

Captain / Total hours on type:

336.00

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Ruidoso-Sierra Blanca Regional Airport in nil visibility, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed in flames. The wreckage was found a day later and both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Collision with trees during initial climb after the pilot initiated flight in adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions or planning,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- High obstructions,
- Low ceiling,
- Zero visibility,
- Fog.

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Duenweg

Date & Time: Sep 20, 1974 at 0400 LT

Type of aircraft:

Piper PA-31-310 Navajo

Operator:

INA Aviation

Registration:

N510BB

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Albuquerque - Joplin - Saint Louis

MSN:

31-786

YOM:

1972

Location:

Duenweg

Missouri

Country:

Region: