Zone
Texas

Crash of a Douglas C-47D in El Paso

Date & Time: Jul 30, 1982 at 0647 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Pronto Aviation Services
Registration:
N102BL
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
El Paso - Tucson
MSN:
15816/32564
YOM:
1945
Location:
El Paso
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
22188
Captain / Total hours on type:
1108.00
Aircraft flight hours:
18348
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff at about 800 feet agl, the left engine oil temperature became high and reportedly there was a loss of oil pressure. The pilot reported that he then feathered the left engine and declared an emergency. On final approach, he did not get a safe gear indication. The pilot started that he attempted to go around. But at about that time, he was committed to land. While maneuvering, the aircraft crashed in the desert. There was 2,700 lbs of cargo on board. The elevation was about 3,950 feet and the temperature was reported at 72 degrees Fahrenheit. All three occupants were uninjured.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of engine power
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
1. (c) lubricating system - no pressure
2. Propeller feathering - performed - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
Findings
3. Precautionary landing - performed - pilot in command
4. Gear extension - initiated - pilot in command
5. (c) landing gear,gear indicating system - undetermined
6. Go-around - initiated - pilot in command
7. (f) weather condition - high density altitude
8. Airspeed (VMC) - not possible - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: landing - flare/touchdown
Findings
9. (f) terrain condition - rough/uneven
10. (f) terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy
11. (f) terrain condition - high vegetation
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-88 Queen Air near Seminole

Date & Time: Jun 11, 1979 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 88 Queen Air
Operator:
Eastern Distribution Inc.
Registration:
N707ED
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Desert
Schedule:
El Paso – Lubbock
MSN:
LP-16
YOM:
1966
Location:
Seminole
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
20175
Captain / Total hours on type:
620.00
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a single engine positioning flight from El Paso to Lubbock. En route, the remaining engine failed, forcing the crew to attempt an emergency landing. The airplane belly landed in a desert area located in the region of Seminole. Both occupants escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
In-flight engine malfunction and subsequent wheels-up landing caused by a cylinder assembly failure. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Material failure,
- Intentional wheels-up landing,
- Fire in engine,
- Fire warning system: powerplant,
- Complete engine failure,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Single engine ferry flight to repair the other engine.
Final Report:

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina in Wikieup: 3 killed

Date & Time: Feb 6, 1975 at 2130 LT
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
N5588W
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Desert
Schedule:
Las Vegas - El Paso
MSN:
920
YOM:
1941
Location:
Wikieup
Arizona
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
En route from Las Vegas to El Paso, while in cruising altitude, both engines lost power. The crew elected to make an emergency landing when control was lost. The airplane crashed in flames near Wikieup and was destroyed. All three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure or malfunction during normal cruise for undetermined reasons. The following findings were reported:
- Collision with dirt bank,
- The crew failed to follow the approved procedures,
- Rough terrain,
- Disregard of good operating practice,
- The pilot declared that both engines lost power,
- Attempted a landing beside a highway in desert,
- No records for other crew personnel.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Timberon

Date & Time: Jun 16, 1973 at 0730 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft D18
Operator:
Northern Air Service - USA
Registration:
N26Q
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Timberon - El Paso
MSN:
A-953
YOM:
1953
Location:
Timberon
New Mexico
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2400
Captain / Total hours on type:
140.00
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane did not liftoff, struck trees at the end of the runway and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was slightly injured.
Probable cause:
The pilot delayed action in aborting takeoff and selected the wrong runway relative to existing wind. The following factors were reported:
- Downwind,
- High obstructions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560F in Granada Hills: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 19, 1973 at 1828 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 560
Operator:
David M. Hume
Registration:
N6191X
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Van Nuys - El Paso
MSN:
560-1053-20
YOM:
1961
Location:
Granada Hills
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
570
Captain / Total hours on type:
180.00
Circumstances:
Four minutes after takeoff from Van Nuys Airport, while climbing in marginal weather conditions, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed in Granada Hills, north of Van Nuys. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions and suffered a spatial disorientation. The following factors were reported:
- Low ceiling, fog and obstruction to vision,
- Visibility limited to half a mile or less,
- IP told the pilot not to fly VFR by night,
- The pilot departed with a special VFR clearance,
- Control lost 4 minutes after takeoff.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft A60 Duke in Roy

Date & Time: Jul 26, 1972 at 0730 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 60 Duke
Operator:
Registration:
N147E
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
El Paso - Roy
MSN:
P-148
YOM:
1970
Location:
Roy
New Mexico
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
6000
Captain / Total hours on type:
750.00
Circumstances:
After landing at Roy, the twin engine airplane did not decelerate as expected, continued its course then went through fences and came to rest in flames. Both occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Spontaneous and improper action on part of the pilot who remained the engine power full ON after landing for unknown reason. Improper operation of powerplant and powerplant controls.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47D near Pasadena: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jun 25, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
43-48723
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
El Paso – Van Nuys
MSN:
14539/25984
YOM:
1944
Location:
San Gabriel Mountains
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
While flying in limited visibility, the aircraft hit the slope of Mt Wilson located in the San Gabriel Mountain range, about 7 miles northeast of Pasadena. All seven crew members were killed.

Crash of a Fairchild C-119B Flying Boxcar near El Paso

Date & Time: Jul 15, 1951
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar
Operator:
Registration:
48-0342
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Desert
MSN:
10324
YOM:
1948
Location:
El Paso
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
An engine failed in flight, forcing the crew to make an emergency landing. The airplane belly landed in a desert area located about 8 miles northwest of El Paso and came to rest. There were no casualties.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a North American B-25 Mitchell near Chandler: 6 killed

Date & Time: Mar 25, 1950 at 1145 LT
Type of aircraft:
North American B-25 Mitchell
Operator:
Registration:
N5126N
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Demonstration
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
El Paso – Los Angeles
MSN:
108-34351
YOM:
1944
Location:
Chandler
Arizona
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a demo flight from El Paso to Los Angeles, after the airplane has been converted to a civil version, apparently to be shown to potential clients. En route, the airplane went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in an open field located near Chandler, southeast of Phoenix. All six occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the aircraft suffered a structural failure while flying in poor weather conditions.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-1-DL Skytrain near El Bonito: 9 killed

Date & Time: Feb 28, 1949
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
43-16256
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
El paso – San Antonio
MSN:
20722
YOM:
1944
Location:
El Bonito
Coahuila
Country:
Mexico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
En route, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and a reduced visibility due to fog. The aircraft went off track and hit a mountain located near El Bonito, about 75 miles southwest of Del Rio. All nine occupants were killed.
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