Dallas

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Little Rock – Dallas

MSN:

340-0361

YOM:

1974

Location:

Ashdown

Arkansas

Country:

Region:

Beechcraft 200 Super King Air

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5375

Captain / Total hours on type:

36.00

Circumstances:

While in cruising altitude on an executive flight from Little Rock to Dallas, the twin engine airplane collided with a Cessna 172 registered N73532. Operated by the Red River Army Depot, the single engine airplane departed Texarkana for a local flight with two passengers and one pilot on board. Following the collision, both aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in a prairie. All seven occupants were killed. The accident occurred in a non controlled area and both aircraft were not under radar contact. The pilot of the Cessna 340 was facing the sun when the accident occurred.

Probable cause:

In-flight collision after both crew failed to see and avoid other aircraft. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Sunglare,
- Not under radar contact,
- No traffic advisory issued,
- No control area.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 200 Super King Air in Valparaiso: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 19, 1977 at 2300 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Barney S. Cam

Registration:

N17530

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Dallas - Valparaiso

MSN:

BB-204

YOM:

1977

Location:

Valparaiso

Indiana

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

7715

Captain / Total hours on type:

911.00

Circumstances:

On final approach by night, the pilot encountered limited visibility due to local patches of fog. He decided to descend below the MDA when the twin engine airplane struck power cables and crashed about a mile short of runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Collision with power cables due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fog,
- High obstructions,
- Ground fog,
- Descended below MDA.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Sachse

Date & Time: Nov 19, 1976 at 2250 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft D18

Operator:

Midwest Air Carrier

Registration:

N2050D

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Dallas - Huntington

MSN:

A-849

YOM:

1952

Location:

Sachse

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1900

Captain / Total hours on type:

100.00

Circumstances:

While in normal cruise, the aft cargo door opened. The pilot shut down the right engine and attempted an emergency landing when the airplane struck power cables and crashed. The pilot was slightly injured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Collision with wires/poles on final approach after inadequate preflight preparation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improperly secures,
- Improper action,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Door/panel open in flight,
- Lateral control problem,
- Aft cargo door opened in flight,
- Unmaintained altitude.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 401 in Austin: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 19, 1975 at 0801 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 401

Operator:

Registration:

N4004Q

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Dallas - Austin

MSN:

401-0104

YOM:

1968

Location:

Austin-Robert Mueller

Country:

Region:

Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

705

Captain / Total hours on type:

65.00

Circumstances:

While approaching Austin-Robert Mueller Airport runway 12R in a cloud base at 500 feet, the twin engine airplane stalled and crashed in flames onto a house located few miles from the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed. There were no casualties on the ground.

Probable cause:

Stall on final approach because the pilot failed to maintain flying speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Attempted operation beyond experience/ability level,
- Improper IFR operation,
- Low ceiling,
- Unqualified person operated aircraft,
- Pilot had no solo time in type of aircraft,
- Two previous approaches completed.

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45H Expeditor in Waco

Date & Time: Dec 20, 1973 at 2026 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Tricon Airlines

Registration:

N2122

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Waco - Dallas

MSN:

AF-480

YOM:

1953

Location:

Waco

Country:

Region:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3116

Captain / Total hours on type:

930.00

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Waco-Madison Cooper Airport, while climbing, the pilot encountered technical problems and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. Few seconds later, he lost control of the airplane that crashed few miles from the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was seriously injured.

Probable cause:

The pilot failed to maintain flying speed during initial climb. The following factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Improperly loaded aircraft and CofG,
- Pilot reported after takeoff he would have to return and land,
- CofG 3.38 inches after the rear limit.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Natchitoches: 6 killed

Date & Time: Sep 20, 1973 at 2245 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft E18

Operator:

Robert Airways

Registration:

N50JR

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Natchitoches - Dallas

MSN:

BA-176

YOM:

1956

Location:

Natchitoches

Louisiana

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

14290

Captain / Total hours on type:

2190.00

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Natchitoches Airport by night and in foggy conditions, the airplane failed to gain sufficient height when it struck a tree located 590 feet past the runway end and crashed. The aircraft was destroyed and all six occupants were killed.
Crew:
Robert N. Elliott, pilot.
Passengers:
Jim Croce, singer,
Maury Muehleisen, musician,
George Stevens, comedian,
Kenneth D. Cortese, manager,
Dennis Rast, manager.

Probable cause:

The pilot failed to see and avoid objects or obstructions (trees) after a night takeoff. The following factors were reported:
- Physical impairment,
- Fog, haze,
- Obstructions to vision,
- High obstructions,
- The pilot had severe coronary artery disease and ran from motel to near airport, about three miles.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Longview: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 31, 1973 at 0200 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft E18

Operator:

Registration:

N73JB

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Dallas - Longview

MSN:

BA-218

YOM:

1956

Location:

Longview

Country:

Region:

Howard Super Ventura (Howard 500)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5600

Captain / Total hours on type:

2600.00

Circumstances:

On final approach to Longview Airport by night, the pilot encountered marginal weather conditions with limited visibility. On final, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed in flames 1,75 mile short of runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.

Probable cause:

Collision with trees on final approach after the pilot misjudged distance and altitude. The following factors were reported:
- High obstructions,
- Pilot fatigue,
- Hit trees 32 feet agl 1,75 mile from airport,
- Pilot had landing lights on and gear down.

Final Report:

Crash of a Howard Super Ventura in Austin

Date & Time: Aug 3, 1972 at 0923 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Beta Leasing

Registration:

N446DD

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Laredo - Dallas

MSN:

5696

YOM:

1943

Location:

Austin-Robert Mueller

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

20470

Captain / Total hours on type:

308.00

Circumstances:

En route from Laredo to Dallas, one of the engine lost power due to oil exhaustion. The pilot was cleared to divert to Austin-Robert Mueller Airport but following a wrong approach configuration, the aircraft was not properly aligned. After touchdown on a wet runway, the airplane suffered hydroplaning then veered off runway and came to rest. All three occupants were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

In-flight engine failure or malfunction. The following factors were reported:
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection,
- Oil exhaustion, engine lubrication system,
- Improper IFR operation,
- Failed to initiate a go-around,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Wet runway,
- Rain,
- Poorly planned approach,
- Not aligned with runway,
- Hydroplaning on wet runway,
- Partial loss of power on one engine,
- Cause of oil exhaustion not determined,
- Annual maintenance check performed the day before the accident,
- Other runway available,
- Wrong switch used for wipers.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-B80 Queen Air in Milo: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 21, 1971 at 2000 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft 80 Queen Air

Operator:

Labina

Registration:

N317K

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Dallas - Oklahoma City

MSN:

LD-342

YOM:

1967

Location:

Milo

Oklahoma

Country:

Region: