United States of America

A Wien Consolidated Airlines Fairchild F-27B, N4905, crashed at Pedro Bay, Alaska. The 36 passengers and three crew members were killed in the accident and the aircraft was destroyed by in-flight breakup and ground impact. The aircraft was being operated as Flight 55 in scheduled domestic passenger service between Anchorage International Airport, AK (ANC) and Dillingham Municipal Airport, AK (DLG) with en route stops at Iliamna Airport, AK (ILI), Big Mountain Airport, AK (BMX), and King Salmon Airport, AK (AKN). Flight 55 departed from Anchorage at 08:46 on an instrument flight plan for Iliamna. The flight was cleared to cruise at 16,000 feet. The weather at Iliamna was reported to be clear, and the visibility was 15 miles at the time of the flight's departure from Anchorage. The flight proceeded toward Iliamna without reported difficulty, and at 09:25, the first officer requested a clearance for an approach to Iliamna. This request was approved. No further communication was received from the crew. Ground witnesses in and around the Pedro Bay area reported that they saw a fireball and a large cloud of black smoke which appeared to be behind the wing of the aircraft. The aircraft appeared to continue on course for a short period of time, then pieces of the aircraft were seen falling, and the aircraft entered a spinning descent. The major portion of the wreckage was located on the southern shore of Foxies Lake at an elevation of approximately 220 feet.

On final approach to Paducah-Barkley Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with low ceiling, rain and fog. Too low, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed few dozen yards short of runway threshold. Both pilots were slightly injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Following an uneventful flight from Los Angeles, the crew started the descent to Santa Ana Airport when he encountered poor visibility due low clouds and fog. On short final, the crew failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the airplane struck a 30 feet steel light pole located along the Costa Mesa Freeway. Out of control, the airplane dove into the ground and crashed in flames 1,8 mile short of runway 20R threshold. The aircraft was totally destroyed and none of the nine occupants survived the crash.

Shortly after takeoff from Barrow Airport, while in initial climb, the right engine failed. The pilot lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed in flames. A passenger was seriously injured while seven other occupants were killed.

The pilot and his four passengers were engaged in a local post maintenance test flight. Following a local circuit, the pilot initiated an approach to Nederland-Jefferson County Airport when on final, the airplane stalled and crashed in a huge explosion. All five occupants were killed.

Shortly after takeoff from Detroit-Wayne County Airport, while in initial climb, the crew encountered serious difficulties with the aircraft that was unstable and failed to gain sufficient altitude. The airplane then stalled and crashed in Inkster, north of the airfield. All four occupants were seriously injured and the airplane was destroyed.

On final approach to runway 19 at Albany Airport, the crew encountered poor visibility due to low ceiling, rain and fog. On short final, the airplane was too low and crashed into the Mohawk River located about 1,2 mile short of runway threshold. Two passengers were killed while four other occupants were injured.

Following an uneventful training flight in the region of Santa Barbara Airport, the aircraft belly landed, slid for few dozen yards and came to rest on the runway. All four occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

At liftoff, the twin engine aircraft stalled and crashed in flames by the runway. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed. He was engaged in a local test flight at Wichita-Beechcraft Field before the aircraft should be delivered to the French operator Flo Air.

On final approach to Allentown Airport, while on a night cargo flight, the twin engine airplane became unstable, went into a spin and crashed short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.