Crash of a Cessna 402C in the Atlantic Ocean

Date & Time: Mar 9, 1983 at 1246 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N26506
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Fort Lauderdale - Treasure Cay
MSN:
402C-0340
YOM:
1980
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2999
Captain / Total hours on type:
190.00
Aircraft flight hours:
2051
Circumstances:
The aircraft was ditched in the Atlantic Ocean following engine failure. The pilot estimated fuel on board during pre-flight from the electronic fuel gauges. The aircraft flew two hours and 16 minutes before the engines quit in a mode of fuel exhaustion with surging prior to stopping. Post accident investigation using fuel slips revealed a fuel burn within 10 to 15 gallons of fuel exhaustion. The fuel gauges failed on the last leg of the flight and the passengers stated the pilot paid a lot of attention to these gauges. The pilot wanted to divert to Freeport but did not because the weather was below minimums. After ditching the aircraft sank in 800 feet of water. All three occupants were rescued.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of engine power(total) - non mechanical
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
1. (f) fluid,fuel - exhaustion
2. (c) fuel supply - misjudged - pilot in command
3. (f) engine instruments,fuel quantity gauge - erratic
4. (c) refueling - not possible - pilot in command
5. (c) fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate - pilot in command
6. (c) procedures/directives - improper - pilot in command
7. (c) preflight planning/preparation - inadequate - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: ditching
Phase of operation: landing - flare/touchdown
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed C-130B Hercules in the Atlantic Ocean: 5 killed

Date & Time: Oct 16, 1982 at 1430 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
FAC-1003
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Madrid - Lajes - Hamilton - Bogotá
MSN:
3572
YOM:
1960
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The four engine airplane was completing a flight from Madrid to Bogotá with intermediate stops in Lajes (Azores Islands) and Hamilton, Bermuda. En route from Lajes to Hamilton, the navigation system failed and the crew became lost and disoriented. While cruising in strong head winds (up to 55 knots), the aircraft ran out of fuel and the crew was forced to ditch the aircraft about 330 km east of Cape May, New Jersey. The airplane remained afloat for about 56 hours before it sank and was lost. Eight occupants were rescued and evacuated while five others were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the navigation system in flight for unknown reasons. The crew got lost and disoriented and a forced landing was necessary after the airplane ran out of fuel due to an excessive fuel consumption caused by strong head winds (up to 55 knots)

Crash of a Cessna 402A in the Atlantic Ocean: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 19, 1981
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
C-GDTW
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Goose Bay - Keflavik
MSN:
402A-0037
YOM:
1979
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
While on a ferry flight from Goose Bay to Keflavik, the twin engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in the North Atlantic Ocean. Both occupants were killed.

Crash of a Breguet Bre.1150 Atlantic in the Atlantic Ocean: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 15, 1981 at 1030 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
255
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Valkenburg - Valkenburg
MSN:
62
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Valkenburg Airbase and was engaged in a maritime patrol flight over the Atlantic, shadowing a Soviet 'Kiev Class' Navy ship. En route, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with blizzard, low visibility, turbulences, strong winds and 30 feet waves. At 0958, the crew declared an emergency and was forced to ditch the aircraft about 185 km west of the Hebrides Islands. The crew of a RAF Sea King arrived on scene about two hours later and was able to evacuate nine injured people while three others were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the airplane suffered control problems following the failure of a control rod in the horizontal stabilizer.

Crash of a Cessna 441 Conquest II in the Atlantic Ocean: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 11, 1980 at 0123 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N441NC
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Shreveport – Baton Rouge
MSN:
441-0099
YOM:
1979
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
8000
Captain / Total hours on type:
65.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Shreveport, the twin engine airplane climbed to its assigned altitude when the pilot obtained the permission to modify his route to avoid a storm. Then the aircraft flew to the east and climbed to the excessive altitude of 41,600 feet (some 6,600 feet above the maximum certified altitude for the aircraft) and the radio contact was lost with the pilot. An Air National Guard Convair F-106 Delta Dart fighter aircraft was dispatched and its pilot confirmed that both occupants seems to be unconscious. After few minutes, both engines stopped due to lack of fuel and the airplane entered a spin and eventually crashed in the Atlantic Ocean about 100 miles east of Norfolk, Virginia. Few debris were found floating on water but the main wreckage was never found as well as both occupants, the pilot Louis Benscotter and the football and baseball coach Robert Edward 'Bo' Rein aged 34.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined. However, the assumption that the accident was the result of a cabin depressurization that caused hypoxia due to a lack of oxygen was not ruled out.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500 in the Atlantic Ocean: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 4, 1979
Operator:
Registration:
N3815C
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Andros Town – West Palm Beach
MSN:
500-771
YOM:
1959
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
623
Captain / Total hours on type:
102.00
Circumstances:
While in cruising flight between Andros Town and West Palm Beach, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions when the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in the Florida Strait. SAR operations were initiated but no trace of the aircraft nor the pilot was found. The wreckage was not recovered.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined. The following findings were reported:
- Thunderstorm activity in the area,
- The pilot reported heavy thunderstorm activity over the ocean.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3-277C in the Atlantic Ocean: 4 killed

Date & Time: Sep 21, 1978 at 1243 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N407D
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Fort Lauderdale - Havana
MSN:
2244
YOM:
1940
Flight number:
AAL902
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
15227
Captain / Total hours on type:
3000.00
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport runway 09L at 1129LT on a positioning flight to Havana, Cuba, to pick up 21 US citizens. While flying over the Florida Strait at an altitude of 6,000 feet in relative good weather conditions, the crew encountered difficulties to maintain radio contact with Cuban ATC. Thus, messages were relayed by the crew of another airplane flying higher. Eight minutes after the radio contact was properly established, the airplane disappeared from radar screens and crashed into the sea. SAR operations were initiated but eventually suspended three days later, on Sep 24, as no trace of the aircraft nor the four crew members was found.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences as the wreckage was not found, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680 into the Atlantic Ocean: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 25, 1978
Operator:
Registration:
N128C
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Opa Locka - Immokalee - Freeport
MSN:
680-461-131
YOM:
1957
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
400
Captain / Total hours on type:
73.00
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances into the Atlantic Ocean while on a flight from Immokalee to Freeport. SAR operations were initiated but no trace of the aircraft nor both occupants was found.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the cause of the accident could not be determined. However, it is believed the airplane was stolen or the flight was unauthorized.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Shrike Commander 500S into the Atlantic Ocean: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 18, 1976 at 1255 LT
Registration:
N57278
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Lomé - Lomé
MSN:
500-3203
YOM:
1974
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
18549
Captain / Total hours on type:
1524.00
Circumstances:
The crew departed Lomé Airport in the morning on a patrol flight over the gulf of Guinea. En route, both engines' temperature increased and shortly later, they failed quite simultaneously. The crew reduced his altitude and attempted to ditch the aircraft that crashed into the Atlantic Ocean (international waters) about 320 km west of Annobón Island. A pilot was rescued while the second occupant died. The aircraft sank and was lost.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following findings were reported:
- Excessive temperature,
- Pilot noted zero oil pressure,
- High temperature.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S into the Atlantic Ocean: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 8, 1975 at 1756 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N80006
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Fort Lauderdale - Great Inagua
MSN:
A-65
YOM:
1946
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
1350
Captain / Total hours on type:
845.00
Circumstances:
En route from Fort Lauderdale to Great Inagua Island, the pilot reported he was short of fuel. Radar contact was lost after the airplane crashed in to the sea. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended after few days as no trace of the airplane nor the three occupants was found.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure due to fuel exhaustion. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Became lost/disoriented,
- Fuel exhaustion,
- Improperly loaded aircraft.
Final Report: