Crash of a Beechcraft B100 King Air in Jackson: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 13, 1997 at 1238 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N500ML
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Muscle Shoals – Jackson
MSN:
BE-78
YOM:
1979
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
3646
Captain / Total hours on type:
162.00
Aircraft flight hours:
4231
Circumstances:
During an IFR arrival, vectors were provided for an ILS runway 16L approach. While on assigned heading and altitude of 270 degrees and 3,000 feet, about 8 miles north of the final approach fix, the pilot was told to turn left to 185 degrees and maintain 2,200 feet until established on the localizer, then he was cleared for the approach. The pilot acknowledged the instructions. About 1 minute later, communication and radar contact with the airplane were lost. Eye witnesses near the accident site observed the airplane as it descended below the cloud layer. The airplane was described as being in a steep left bank with the nose down. Witnesses also stated that the engines were revving. Within seconds of the visual sighting, the airplane crashed. Examination of the airframe failed to disclose a mechanical problem. No fire or smoke was seen coming from the airplane before it crashed. The pilot did not report experiencing a problem with the airplane to the tower controller. Toxicology tests of the pilot indicated O.323 mcg/ml chlorpheniramine (a sedating antihistamine) in liver fluid and 0.073 mcg/ml chlorpheniramine in kidney fluid. Also, unspecified levels of dextromethorphan (a cough suppressant), pseudoephedrine (a decibgestabt), and phenylpropanolamine (a decongestant) were reported in kidney and liver fluids. All medications are available in over-the-counter cold remedies.
Probable cause:
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft due to spatial disorientation. A related factor was: the instrument weather conditions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Turbo Commander 680V in Jackson: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 7, 1980 at 2043 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N2755H
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
New Orleans - Jackson
MSN:
680-1628-55
YOM:
1966
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
3000
Captain / Total hours on type:
80.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Jackson-Allen C. Thompson Airport, while established on the localizer, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed in a field located about 1,2 mile short of runway. The passenger was killed and the pilot was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled collision with ground on final approach after the pilot continued flight into known areas of severe turbulences. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Windshear,
- Turbulences associated with clouds and thunderstorms,
- Downdrafts, updrafts,
- Thunderstorm activity,
- Wind gusting 25 knots,
- Pilot received pireps of windshear, turbulences and downdrafts in vicinity of airport.
Final Report:

Crash of a Swearingen SA26T Merlin IIA in Olive Branch: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 22, 1978 at 1851 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N2301N
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Jackson - Memphis
MSN:
T26-002
YOM:
1967
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
5000
Captain / Total hours on type:
100.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Memphis International Airport in marginal weather conditions, the twin engine airplane struck the ground and crashed in Olive Branch, about 8 miles southeast of the airport. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with ground on final approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling (300 feet),
- Visibility less than a mile,
- Weather conditions below minimums,
- Controller warned pilot of low altitude alert three times.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 60 Duke near Jackson: 8 killed

Date & Time: Nov 6, 1978 at 2046 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N135D
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Montgomery - Tulsa
MSN:
P-7
YOM:
1968
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Captain / Total flying hours:
2000
Captain / Total hours on type:
60.00
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft was completing a demo flight from Montgomery, Alabama, to Tulsa, Oklahoma, carrying seven passengers and a pilot. While cruising at an altitude of 14,000 feet in icing conditions, the pilot informed ATC about an engine failure and was cleared to divert to Jackson-Municipal Airport. On descent, the aircraft went out of control and crashed few miles from Jackson Airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all eight occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled collision with ground on final approach due to powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Diverted attention from operation of aircraft,
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Icing conditions including sleet, freezing rain,
- Fog,
- Complete failure on one engine,
- Weather briefing included freezing level 13,000 to 15,000 feet,
- Cruising altitude 14,000 feet.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560A in Jackson: 5 killed

Date & Time: Sep 15, 1971 at 0016 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N2779B
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Temple – Jackson – Columbus
MSN:
560-279
YOM:
1955
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
2700
Circumstances:
While on a night approach to Jackson-Allen C. Thompson Airport in good weather conditions, both engines lost power and failed. The pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed few miles from the airfield. The pilot and four passengers were killed while a fifth passenger was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure on final approach caused by the following factors:
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Miscalculated fuel consumption,
- Fuel exhaustion.
Final Report:

Crash of a Martin B-26 Marauder in Jackson: 5 killed

Date & Time: Dec 21, 1941
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
40-1472
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
1472
YOM:
1940
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The airplane suffered an engine failure just after take off from Jackson Airport and crashed. All five crew members were killed.
Crew:
1st Lt John Joseph Doerr, pilot,
2nd Lt Claude Amede Knight,
2nd Lt Robert A. Saner,
2nd Lt Leslie M. Shimeall,
Sgt Harold A. Wissinger.
Probable cause:
Engine failure after takeoff.