Zone
Florida

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45H Expeditor in Miami

Date & Time: Jan 20, 1973 at 0634 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
Operator:
Registration:
N3721
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Miami - Freeport
MSN:
AF-873
YOM:
1954
Location:
Miami-Opa Locka
Florida
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:
5432
Captain / Total hours on type:
878.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Opa Locka Airport, while in initial climb, the airplane stalled and crashed. Both occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot who failed to follow the approved procedures and to maintain flying speed. The following factors were reported:
- Improperly loaded aircraft,
- Fog,
- The aircraft was overloaded by approximately 441 pounds.
Final Report:

Crash of an Howard 350 in Miami

Date & Time: Aug 18, 1970 at 2018 LT
Type of aircraft:
Howard Super Ventura (Howard 500)
Operator:
Aviation Equipment Corporation of America
Registration:
N350Q
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Brooksville - Miami
MSN:
5892
YOM:
1943
Location:
Miami-Opa Locka
Florida
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:
7600
Captain / Total hours on type:
211.00
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful positioning flight from Brooksville-Hernando County Airport, the crew started the approach to Miami-Opa Locka Airport. The twin engine airplane landed on its belly and slid for several yards before coming to rest in flames. Both crew members escaped without injuries while the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. The crew reported that the gear was lowered prior to touchdown while the gear handle was found in up position.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed 18-56-23 LodeStar in Golden Gate

Date & Time: Oct 16, 1969 at 0835 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 18 LodeStar
Operator:
Johnston R. Staples
Registration:
N170L
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Miami-Opa Locka – St Petersburg
MSN:
2534
YOM:
1943
Location:
Golden Gate
Florida
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:
31000
Captain / Total hours on type:
2000.00
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a ferry flight from Miami-Opa Locka Airport to a maintenance facility based in St Petersburg. This was the first flight for maintenance. En route, smoke spread in the cockpit and the crew was forced to reduce his altitude and to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in flames in a prairie located in Golden Gate, northeast of Naples.
Probable cause:
In-flight fire and smoke forced the crew to attempt an emergency landing. Fuel leak from undetermined source. Fumes in cabin. The aircraft exploded on ground.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Miami

Date & Time: May 1, 1965 at 1810 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft D18
Operator:
Sunline Helicopters
Registration:
N8902A
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
A-551
YOM:
1950
Location:
Miami-Opa Locka
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
11500
Captain / Total hours on type:
55.00
Circumstances:
While approaching Miami-Opa Locka Airport, both engines failed simultaneously. The pilot lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed few hundred yards short of runway. The airplane was destroyed by a post crash fire and all seven occupants were rescued.
Probable cause:
It was determined that both engines failed due to a fuel starvation. This was caused by a mismanagement of fuel and inattentive to fuel supply on part of the pilot.
Final Report:

Crash of a Fairchild R4Q-2 Flying Boxcar off Miami: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 4, 1956
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar
Operator:
Registration:
131703
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Miami - Miami
MSN:
10888
YOM:
1952
Location:
Miami
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a local training sortie from Miami-Opa Locka Airport. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, the aircraft suffered engine problems. The crew contacted ATC and elected to ditch the aircraft off Miami. Two crew members were rescued while others drowned.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.
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