Crash of a Rockwell Sabreliner 75A in Palwaukee

Date & Time: Apr 27, 1977 at 1336 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N6NR
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Pontiac - Palwaukee
MSN:
380-43
YOM:
1975
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
8540
Captain / Total hours on type:
3050.00
Circumstances:
For unknown reasons, the crew selected the wrong runway to land at Wheeling-Palwaukee Airport (Chicago-Executive) taking into consideration the wind component. After touchdown, the captain elected to use all available brake systems when the copilot stowed reversers. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran, went through a fence and a road and eventually crashed in a warehouse. Both pilots as well as three people on the ground were injured. The aircraft was destroyed as well as two cars.
Probable cause:
Overshoot on landing after the crew misjudged distance and speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper operation of powerplant and powerplant controls,
- Spontaneous improper action on part of the copilot,
- Poor crew coordination,
- Selected wrong runway relative to existing wind,
- Powerplant - thrust reverser,
- Material failure,
- Asymmetrical thrust reversal,
- Right engine flex shafts failed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Palwaukee: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 6, 1975 at 2205 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N54N
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Chicago - West Memphis
MSN:
BA-303
YOM:
1957
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
While taking off from Chicago-Palwaukee Airport, the airplane stalled, struck the ground and eventually crashed in a greenhouse. The copilot was slightly injured while the captain was killed.
Probable cause:
Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the crew. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Selected wrong runway relative to existing wind,
- Premature liftoff,
- Failed to obtain/maintain flying speed,
- Snow,
- Airframe ice,
- Ice on windshield,
- Downwind,
- The pilot reported could not see,
- The copilot aborted takeoff,
- Snow on aircraft,
- No alcohol in system.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-A80 Queen Air in Chicago: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 25, 1970 at 1940 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N242U
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Chicago - New Castle
MSN:
LD-242
YOM:
1965
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
6115
Captain / Total hours on type:
263.00
Circumstances:
At liftoff, the twin engine encountered serious difficulties to gain height, stalled and crashed. A pilot was killed while the second crew member was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Stall after takeoff due to an excessive accumulation of snow on wings and fuselage. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Airframe ice,
- Icing conditions,
- Snow,
- Slush on runway,
- The crew partially removed snow before taxi,
- 13 minutes time span between taxi out and takeoff in snow conditions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Howard Super Ventura off Chicago: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 17, 1962 at 1654 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N18A
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Chicago - Chicago
MSN:
5271
YOM:
1943
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Chicago-Merrill C. Meigs Airport, while in initial climb, the airplane stalled and crashed into Michigan Lake. The aircraft was lost and both crew members were killed. They were performing a positioning flight to Chicago-Palwaukee Airport when the accident occurred.
Probable cause:
Loss of control during initial climb caused by an engine failure.

Crash of a Sikorsky S-38B in Glenview: 9 killed

Date & Time: Jun 11, 1933 at 1700 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC141M
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Chicago - Chicago
MSN:
214-12
YOM:
1929
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Chicago-Palwaukee in the early afternoon to complete a sightseeing tour over the Lake Michigan. While returning to his base, the crew decided to land on Lake Michigan in the harbor of Chicago. Due to strong winds, the lake was rough and the float plane hit violently the water surface. Consequently, the captain decided to abort the landing, increased engine power and elected to divert to Palwaukee Airport in Chicago. Shortly later, while climbing to a height of 600 feet, the aircraft lost its right wing and dove into the ground in a huge explosion. All nine occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The starboard wing failed, apparently due to structural damage caused by the impact with water few minutes earlier.