Region
North America
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USA

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Corona

Date & Time: Nov 14, 1979 at 1230 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft D18
Operator:
Dale Rodenbeek
Registration:
N8611A
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Corona - Corona
MSN:
A-518
YOM:
1949
Location:
Corona
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
893
Captain / Total hours on type:
29.00
Circumstances:
After liftoff, during initial climb, the airplane was difficult to control when it crashed in flames. All three occupants escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined. The pilot stated that he encountered control difficulties after takeoff.
Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman E-2B Hawkeye in Wilkes-Barre: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 13, 1979
Type of aircraft:
Grumman E-2C Hawkeye
Operator:
Registration:
150537
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
A017
Location:
Wilkes-Barre
Pennsylvania
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
En route, the crew encountered an unexpected situation. One pilot was able to bail out while the second was killed. The aircraft dove into the ground and was destroyed.

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

Date & Time: Nov 2, 1979 at 1112 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain
Operator:
Registration:
N66893
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Greenville - Columbia
MSN:
31-7405192
YOM:
1974
Location:
Greenville-Downtown
South Carolina
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
18000
Captain / Total hours on type:
4.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff, while in initial climb, the right engine lost power. The pilot attempted an emergency landing and turned back when the airplane struck a power line and crashed in flames near the airport. The pilot and four passengers were killed while two other passengers were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection,
- High obstructions,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Engine malfunction before best climb speed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2B-20 Marquise in Nashville: 5 killed

Date & Time: Nov 1, 1979 at 2141 LT
Type of aircraft:
Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquise
Operator:
CFW Construction Company
Registration:
N873Q
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Chattanooga - Nashville
MSN:
160
YOM:
1969
Location:
Nashville
Tennessee
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
1498
Captain / Total hours on type:
661.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Nashville-Metropolitan Airport by night, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low. The twin engine airplane struck power cables and crashed short of runway. All five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Collision with power cables on final approach after the copilot misjudged distance and altitude. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate supervision of flight,
- Operational supervisory personnel: deficiency, company maintained equipment, services, regulation,
- Pilot fatigue,
- Fog,
- Crew scheduled for 18-20 hours, crew time routinely,
- Autopilot found on,
- Trim 10° nose down.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-35-DK Dakota IV-M in Bettles: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 30, 1979 at 1030 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
N99663
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Fairbanks - Bettles - Ambler
MSN:
16719/33467
YOM:
1945
Location:
Bettles
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
7000
Captain / Total hours on type:
1000.00
Circumstances:
The approach to Bettles Airport was unstable and completed in poor weather conditions with low ceiling, fog and blowing snow. The aircraft crashed on three parked aircraft on apron. The C-47 was destroyed and both pilots were killed. At the time of the accident, the visibility was below minimums.
Probable cause:
Collision with parked aircraft on final approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Blowing snow,
- Visibility less than half a mile, below minimums,
- No alternate airport,
- LOC/DME approach.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 200 Super King Air in San Ysidro: 10 killed

Date & Time: Oct 27, 1979 at 2346 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft 200 Super King Air
Operator:
Registration:
XC-PGR
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Government
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Monterrey - Tijuana
MSN:
BB-317
YOM:
1978
Location:
San Ysidro
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Captain / Total flying hours:
6425
Captain / Total hours on type:
90.00
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was completing a special flight from Monterrey to Tijuana on behalf of the General Attorney of the Republic of Mexico. On final approach to Tijuana-General Abelardo L. Rodriguez Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck a power pole (14 feet high) and crashed in flames about two miles short of runway threshold, on US territory. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 10 occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, the visibility was limited to a half of mile due to low ceiling and fog.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with ground on final approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Airport facilities: Instrument Landing System inoperative,
- Limited visibility to half a mile,
- Localizer inop, using VOR/DME.
Final Report:

Crash of a Swearingen SA26AT Merlin IIA in Palo Alto: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 19, 1979 at 2316 LT
Type of aircraft:
Swearingen SA26T Merlin II
Operator:
Valley Equity Management Group
Registration:
N65103
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Bakersfield - Palo Alto
MSN:
T26-140E
YOM:
1969
Location:
Palo Alto
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
3331
Captain / Total hours on type:
197.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Palo Alto Airport by night, during the last segment, the twin engine airplane collided with a flock of seagulls, causing the left engine to fail. The airplane lost height and struck the runway surface. It bounced then went out of control, veered off runway and eventually crashed inverted in the airport parking, damaging seven other aircrafts. The pilot was seriously injured and both passengers were killed.
Probable cause:
Hard landing following a bird strike on short final. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Foreign material affecting normal operations,
- Improper recovery from bounced landing,
- Spontaneous-improper actions on part of the pilot.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Uniontown: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 9, 1979 at 1745 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
Operator:
Coal Baron
Registration:
N9277Y
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
West Mifflin - Connellsville
MSN:
31-368
YOM:
1968
Location:
Uniontown
Pennsylvania
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
4338
Circumstances:
While descending to Connellsville Airport on a flight from West Mifflin, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with fog, low ceiling and rain falls. He failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the twin engine airplane struck a hillside and crashed in Uniontown. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees and subsequent crash due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Airways facilities, erratic,
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Fog,
- ADF ground line intermittent,
- Vectored to ADF from north at 5,000 feet, cleared for approach, minimum altitude procedure turn 3,500 feet,
- Mountain tops obscured.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 207A Skywagon in Anchorage: 4 killed

Date & Time: Oct 8, 1979 at 1607 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 207 Skywagon/Stationair
Operator:
Registration:
N6424H
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Anchorage – Tyonek
MSN:
207-0519
YOM:
1979
Location:
Anchorage-Merrill Field
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
11120
Captain / Total hours on type:
540.00
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane departed Anchorage-Merrill Field on a taxi flight to Tyonek, on the Cook Inlet. Just after liftoff, while in initial climb, the engine lost power. The airplane lost height then struck a hangar and crashed. The aircraft was destroyed and all four occupants were killed. There were no casualties on ground.
Probable cause:
Engine failure during initial climb and subsequent collision with building due to poor maintenance servicing. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improperly services aircraft by ground crew,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Water in fuel,
- Partial loss of engine power,
- Water found in storage tank,
- Leak in fill pipe,
- Lineboy serviced aircraft while the storage tank being filled.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Cincinnati: 8 killed

Date & Time: Oct 8, 1979 at 1008 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
Operator:
Registration:
N6642L
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Cincinnati - Nashville
MSN:
31-580
YOM:
1969
Flight number:
OH444
Location:
Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky
Kentucky
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Captain / Total flying hours:
2820
Captain / Total hours on type:
45.00
Aircraft flight hours:
4317
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was engaged in a schedule service (flight OH444) from Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky Airport (Greater Cincinnati) to Nashville, carrying seven passengers and one pilot. After a roll of about 1,500 - 2,000 feet on runway 18, the pilot started the rotation. During initial climb, at an altitude of about 150 feet, the right engine lost power. The airplane entered a right turn then lost height and crashed in a field located 1,188 feet to the west of runway 18. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and all eight occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The probable cause of the accident was the loss of control following a partial loss of power immediately after liftoff. The accident could have been avoided if either the pilot had rejected the takeoff or had raised the landing gear and flaps. His failure to take decisive action may have been due to preoccupation with correcting the malfunction, and a lack of familiarity with the aircraft and with its emergency procedures. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inexperience in multiengine aircraft, a hurried departure, inadequate training, inexperienced company management, and ineffective FAA certification and surveillance of the operator.
Final Report:
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