Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Riverside

Date & Time: Jul 10, 1987 at 1915 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N99CP
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Long Beach – Banning
MSN:
A-11
YOM:
1945
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
9300
Captain / Total hours on type:
158.00
Aircraft flight hours:
5297
Circumstances:
The aircraft had not been flown for several years and was on a flight to ferry it to another location. While cruising at 7,500 feet, the pilot decided to start using auxiliary fuel. Shortly after moving the fuel selectors to the auxiliary position, both engines lost power and would not restart. The pilot landed on a road, but the wings struck posts/mailboxes and then the aircraft hit a dirt bank. Fuel samples were taken and a visual examination revealed obvious contamination and discoloration. The aircraft had been given an annual inspection just before the flight. Both occupants escaped uninjured.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (total) - nonmechanical
Phase of operation: cruise
Findings
1. 2 engines
2. (c) fluid, fuel - contamination
3. (c) maintenance, annual inspection - inadequate - other maintenance personnel
4. (c) aircraft preflight - inadequate - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
----------
Occurrence #3: on ground/water collision with object
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I in Long Beach

Date & Time: Aug 9, 1981 at 1800 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N19RJ
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Las Vegas - Long Beach
MSN:
421A-0192
YOM:
1968
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2000
Captain / Total hours on type:
70.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Long Beach, both engines flames out. The pilot attempted an emergency landing when the airplane struck power cables and a fence before coming to rest. All four occupants escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure during traffic pattern and subsequent collision with wires/poles due to mismanagement of fuel. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fuel starvation,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Found main fuel tanks empty,
- Auxiliary tanks nearly full.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 401B in Phoenix

Date & Time: Jun 5, 1979 at 1708 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N77MG
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Long Beach - Phoenix
MSN:
401B-0006
YOM:
1969
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
519
Captain / Total hours on type:
140.00
Circumstances:
While descending to Phoenix Airport, both engines failed simultaneously. The pilot reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing few miles from the airfield. The aircraft came to rest on its belly and was damaged beyond repair. The pilot escaped unhurt.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with ground following a mismanagement of fuel. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fuel starvation,
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Wet, soft ground,
- Complete failure of both engines,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Pilot did not recall changing fuel selector after power loss,
- Tip tanks separated and burned,
- Left auxiliary tank empty,
- Right auxiliary tank demolished.
Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-73 Mallard off Avalon

Date & Time: Jan 14, 1979 at 1640 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N95DF
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Avalon - Long Beach
MSN:
J-19
YOM:
1947
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
6500
Captain / Total hours on type:
85.00
Circumstances:
While taking off from the Avalon harbour, the seaplane struck three successive waves. On impact, the left engine and the left were torn off. The aircraft came to rest and was damaged beyond repair. All 11 occupants escaped with minor injuries.
Probable cause:
Engine tearaway during takeoff run after the crew selected an unsuitable terrain and failed to abort takeoff. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Premature liftoff,
- Overload failure.
Final Report:

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-21 Islander in San José

Date & Time: Apr 11, 1978 at 2042 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N97JA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Long Beach - San José
MSN:
447
YOM:
1975
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
12000
Captain / Total hours on type:
24.00
Aircraft flight hours:
1226
Circumstances:
On final approach to San José-Reid-Hillview Airport, both engines failed. The airplane lost height, struck power cables and crashed. The pilot was seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure on final approach and subsequent collision with wires due to fuel starvation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Aircraft equipped with ferry tanks.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S on Catalina Island: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 22, 1977 at 2106 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N979SB
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Catalina Island - Long Beach
MSN:
BA-302
YOM:
1957
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
2460
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Catalina Island Airport, while in initial climb, the twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed on a mountainous area near the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled collision with ground during initial climb after the crew suffered incapacitation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Physical impairment,
- Failure of the air condition, heating and pressurization system,
- Fatigue fracture,
- Fog,
- 45% carbon monoxide in pilot, 16,8% in copilot,
- Cabin heater, cracks in the combustion chamber.
Final Report:

Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2B Marquise near Guadalupe: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 13, 1973 at 2025 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N882Q
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Midland - Long Beach
MSN:
168
YOM:
1969
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
3800
Captain / Total hours on type:
76.00
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude by night, the twin engine airplane entered a dive and crashed in an isolated area located near Guadalupe, few miles from the Texas border. The aircraft was totally destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the loss of control could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3-362 into the Pacific Ocean: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jul 25, 1966
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
HS-OOO
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Long Beach – Honolulu – Bangkok
MSN:
3266
YOM:
1940
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Long Beach Airport on a delivery flight to Bangkok via Honolulu. While cruising about 525 miles from the California coast, the crew informed ATC about an engine failure and elected to return. Contact was lost and the airplane crashed into the Pacific Ocean. No trace or the aircraft nor the three occupants was ever found.
Probable cause:
engine failure.

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45H Expeditor in Long Beach: 8 killed

Date & Time: Aug 7, 1965 at 0209 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N88Q
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
AF-710
YOM:
1954
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Captain / Total flying hours:
7000
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Long Beach Airport, while climbing by night and a limited visibility due to fog, one of the engine failed. Unable to maintain a safe altitude, the twin engine aircraft struck power cables, stalled and crashed in flames in Lakewood. The airplane was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all 8 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Investigations were unable to determined the exact cause of the engine failure.
Final Report:

Crash of a Fairchild C-82 Packet near Perote: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 7, 1964 at 1935 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N24127
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Long Beach – San Juan
MSN:
10177
YOM:
1945
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
En route from Long Beach to San Juan, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located in the region of Perote. Both crew members were killed.
Final Report: