Region
North America
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USA

Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon near Juneau: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 3, 1979 at 1213 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 207 Skywagon/Stationair
Operator:
Southeast Skyways
Registration:
N1726U
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Juneau – Hoonah
MSN:
207-0326
YOM:
1976
Location:
Juneau
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
2623
Captain / Total hours on type:
21.00
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane departed Juneau Airport on a taxi flight to Hoonah, carrying two passengers and one pilot. While climbing in poor weather conditions, the pilot suffered spatial disorientation and lost control of the airplane that crashed in flames in an open field. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all three occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were poor with thunderstorm activity, low ceiling, rain and turbulences.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent and subsequent collision with ground after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Spatial disorientation,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Physical impairment,
- Alcoholic impairment of efficiency and judgment,
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Turbulences associated with thunderstorm activity,
- Squall line,
- Merging cloud layers forecasted,
- Blood alcohol level 1,08‰.
Final Report:

Crash of a Pilatus PC-6/350 Porter near Sparrevohn

Date & Time: Oct 1, 1979 at 0900 LT
Type of aircraft:
Pilatus PC-6 (Porter & Turbo Porter)
Operator:
Registration:
N4912
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Red Devil - Anchorage
MSN:
544
YOM:
1962
Location:
Sparrevohn
Alaska
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:
4300
Captain / Total hours on type:
140.00
Circumstances:
On a flight from Red Devil to Anchorage, while flying over mountainous terrain, the pilot encountered severe downdrafts when the airplane crashed in flames on a hilly terrain near Sparrevohn. Both occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with ground during normal due to improper in-flight decisions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Downdrafts,
- Wind gusting 40 knots.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 690A in Columbus

Date & Time: Oct 1, 1979 at 0803 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 690
Operator:
Registration:
N57233
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Louisville - Columbus
MSN:
690-11247
YOM:
1975
Location:
Columbus-Ohio State University-Don Scott
Ohio
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
18341
Captain / Total hours on type:
2175.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Columbus-Ohio State University Airport, the pilot encountered limited visibility due to fog. On short final, the airplane struck a fence and crashed in flames short of runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was injured.
Probable cause:
Collision with fence and subsequent crash on final approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fog,
- Visibility 3/4 mile or less.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 404 Titan near Fort Lauderdale: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 30, 1979 at 1945 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 404 Titan
Operator:
Ambergate
Registration:
N88696
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
404-0228
YOM:
1978
Location:
Fort Lauderdale
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:
1
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1927
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a drug smuggling flight in Florida. While flying by night at low height in the region of Fort Lauderdale, the twin engine airplane struck an electric tower, lost height and crashed in a field. The captain was not apprehended while the copilot was killed in the accident.
Probable cause:
Collision with electric tower after the crew failed to see and avoid objects or obstructions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Aircraft stolen,
- Unwarranted low flying,
- Aircraft was hauling marijuana,
- Cocaine found in copilot's blood.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon in Rainy Pass: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 24, 1979
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 207 Skywagon/Stationair
Operator:
Registration:
N6405H
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Anchorage - Galena
MSN:
207-0512
YOM:
1979
Location:
Rainy Pass
Alaska
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:
1500
Captain / Total hours on type:
150.00
Circumstances:
En route from Anchorage to Galena, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with low ceiling. Lost and disoriented, he flew into a blind canyon when he saw high obstructions. While initiating an evasive maneuver to avoid collision, he made a steep turn to the left when the aircraft struck the ground and crashed in flames in a mountainous terrain located about 125 miles northwest from the city of Anchorage. As the airplane failed to arrive at destination, SAR operations were initiated but eventually abandoned few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the pilot was found. On September 2, 1980, the burnt wreckage was found near Rainy Pass.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain after the pilot became lost and disoriented. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions,
- The pilot misjudged distance, speed, altitude or clearance,
- Low ceiling,
- High obstructions,
- The pilot flew into blind canyon,
- Evasive maneuver to avoid collision,
- In-flight steep left turn,
- Recovery date September 2, 1980.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in North Perry: 3 killed

Date & Time: Sep 23, 1979 at 1116 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft D18
Operator:
Lowery Aircraft Parts
Registration:
N516PA
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
A-763
YOM:
1952
Location:
North Perry
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
10370
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from North Perry Airport, while in initial climb, the airplane lost height and crashed in flames near the runway end. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and all three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled collision with ground during initial climb due to inadequate preflight preparation on part of the crew. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improperly loaded aircraft,
- Estimated 150 lbs over max gross weight and approximately 3 inches aft of rear CofG limit at takeoff.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Luling: 4 killed

Date & Time: Sep 20, 1979 at 1103 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
Operator:
Marr Short Stops of Texas
Registration:
N27614
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
New Orleans - Fort Worth
MSN:
31-7812058
YOM:
1978
Location:
Luling
Louisiana
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:
300
Captain / Total hours on type:
60.00
Circumstances:
When the aircraft departed New Orleans-Moisant Airport, weather conditions were poor with thunderstorm activity and rain falls. After takeoff, while climbing in the clouds, the pilot lost control of the airplane that entered and uncontrolled descent and crashed in a field located in Luling, about six miles southwest of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent after the pilot attempted operation beyond experience and ability level. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot initiated flight in adverse weather conditions,
- The pilot suffered a spatial disorientation,
- Rain,
- Thunderstorm activity,
- Visibility half a mile or less,
- Haze.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Windsor Locks: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 19, 1979 at 0404 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft E18
Operator:
Registration:
N705M
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Windsor Locks – Baltimore
MSN:
BA-353
YOM:
1958
Location:
Windsor Locks-Bradley
Connecticut
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:
6425
Captain / Total hours on type:
125.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after a night takeoff from Windsor Locks-Bradley Airport, while on a cargo flight to Baltimore, the twin engine airplane stalled and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled collision with ground during initial climb following an inadequate preflight preparation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Cargo shifted after rotation,
- Improperly loaded aircraft,
- Tie-down snaps, rings found disconnected,
- Aircraft 682 pounds over max gross weight.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanker at Castle AFB: 5 killed

Date & Time: Sep 19, 1979
Type of aircraft:
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
Operator:
Registration:
58-0127
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Castle - Castle
MSN:
17872/342
YOM:
1959
Location:
Castle AFB
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Aircraft flight hours:
8046
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training flight at Castle AFB, consisting of touch-and-go maneuvers. Upon touchdown, the airplane went out of control and crashed in flames. Five crew members were killed while two others were injured.

Crash of a Lockheed C-141A-20-LM Starlifter in Charleston

Date & Time: Sep 18, 1979
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed C-141 Starlifter
Operator:
Registration:
64-0647
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Charleston - Charleston
MSN:
300-6060
YOM:
1960
Location:
Charleston-Intl
South Carolina
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
18547
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training mission at Charleston Airport. Upon landing, the crew noticed the lack of a 'brakes released' light. After touchdown, thrust reversers failed to deploy because they were locked out by the touchdown relay, still in the Flight Mode. However, due to a malfunction, the n°4 thrust reverser did deploy. Normal brakes were inoperative. The copilot selected emergency brakes and then continued to make multiple attempts to deploy the spoilers. This caused the n°3 hydraulic system to lose pressure due to which in turn the emergency brakes failed. Then an electrical malfunction within the gear handle caused the nose gear to retract. The airplane came to rest in flames on its belly. All six crew members escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
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