Zone

Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2B-35 Marquise near Port Aransas

Date & Time: Nov 30, 1980 at 1430 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N44MR
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Brownsville - Atlanta
MSN:
611
YOM:
1973
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
10500
Captain / Total hours on type:
625.00
Circumstances:
While in normal cruise from Brownsville to Atlanta, the pilot reported engine problems. He elected to divert to the nearest airport but was eventually forced to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft belly landed on soft ground and came to rest. All seven occupants were rescued, among them five were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Propeller blades failure in flight due to corrosion. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fatigue fracture,
- Engine structure: mount and vibration isolators,
- Overload failure,
- Wet and soft ground,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Wind gusting to 24 knots,
- Propeller blade failed due to fatigue,
- Originating at stress corrosion crack.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed 5B Vega in Aransas Pass: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jul 10, 1930
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC394H
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Port Aransas – Kansas City
MSN:
87
YOM:
1929
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Port Aransas Airport, while climbing to a height of 4,000 feet, the aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in an open field located in Aransas Pass, some 10 miles northwest of Port Aransas Airport. All five occupants were killed. They were returning to Kansas City following a fishing trip. There was an explosion aboard according to those who saw the accident. The plane did not catch fire, however. Persons who viewed the accident expressed the opinion that lightning struck the plane while flying high, as the aircraft seems to lose a wing before diving into the ground.
Crew:
Gene Gabbert.
Passengers:
Murat Boyle,
Raymond Watson,
Eugene Lynn,
Roy Dellano.