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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 T207A Skywagon in Riverside: 6 killed

Date & Time: Mar 22, 1978 at 2042 LT
Registration:
N7354U
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Santa Ana - Lake Havasu City
MSN:
207-0417
YOM:
1978
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
6300
Captain / Total hours on type:
30.00
Circumstances:
While cruising at a relative low altitude in poor weather conditions, the single engine airplane struck the ground and crashed in an uninhabited area located near Riverside. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all six occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain in normal cruise after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Unwarranted low flying,
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- VFR flight plan filed but not opened.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Grand Canyon: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jun 25, 1977 at 1000 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N54727
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Riverside - Grand Canyon
MSN:
31-7405250
YOM:
1974
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
720
Captain / Total hours on type:
15.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Grand Canyon-National Park Airport, the right engine partially failed and the pilot feathered its propeller. The airplane lost height then crashed on a plateau located few miles from the airport. The pilot and four passengers were killed while four others were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
The airplane crashed on a plateau following improper operation of powerplant and powerplant controls. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Lubricating system: lines, hoses, fitting,
- Leakage,
- Rough terrain,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Oil leakage on right engine, propeller feathered,
- No malfunction found,
- Did not boost the left engine power.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas A-20A Havoc in Riverside

Date & Time: Oct 8, 1941
Operator:
Registration:
AL763
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in Lubbock while on a delivery flight to the Royal Air Force. Crew fate remains unknown.

Crash of a Douglas B-18A Bolo near Pidgeon Pass: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jan 23, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
37-520
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Monterrey – March
MSN:
2520
YOM:
1937
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
While approaching March AFB, flying over the Tehachapi Mountain Range, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with high winds, sleet, snow, rain and icing. The pilot informed ground about his situation and requested rescue teams to stand by. Shortly later, the captain instructed the occupant to bail out when the airplane crashed into a hillside located near Pidgeon Pass, some 12 km north of March AFB and three km northeast of Riverside. Two passengers were found alive while four other occupants were killed in the crash.
Crew:
Lt Raymond M. Sumi, pilot, †
Lt Benjamin G. Holloway, copilot, †
Sgt Gerald D. Wilcox, †
Pvt Leonard E. Riley, †
Sgt Cecil Purvis,
Pvt Frank Carroll.