United States of America

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Houston-George Bush-Intercontinental

Schedule:

Brownsville - Houston

MSN:

P-294

YOM:

1974

Location:

Texas

Country:

Region:

Rockwell Shrike Commander 500

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

15060

Captain / Total hours on type:

180.00

Circumstances:

While on a night approach to Houston Airport, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with low clouds and fog. He descended too low until the aircraft collided with ground about two miles short of runway. All three passengers were injured while the pilot was killed.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain on final approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Misread instruments or failed to read,
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Limited visibility to 1/2 mile or less,
- Sky obscured,
- Descended into ground about 2 miles short of runway in below minima conditions.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Shrike Commander 500S off South Portsmouth: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 21, 1975 at 1508 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Aero Aviation

Registration:

N9179N

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Columbus - Huntington

MSN:

500-3126

YOM:

1972

Location:

South Portsmouth

Kentucky

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2089

Circumstances:

En route from Columbus to Huntington, the pilot informed ATC about an engine failure and attempted to divert to the nearest airport. Control was lost and the airplane crashed in the Ohio River off South Portsmouth, Kentucky. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot's body was not recovered.

Probable cause:

Powerplant failure for undetermined reason. The pilot was observed to exit the aircraft and to swim toward shore. He disappeared and his body was never recovered.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-6BF in Fairbanks: 3 killed

Date & Time: Feb 16, 1975 at 1902 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-6

Operator:

Registration:

N77DG

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Fairbanks - Happy Valley

MSN:

43520

YOM:

1952

Location:

Fairbanks

Alaska

Country:

Region:

Ronald H. Galowich Associates

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

24535

Captain / Total hours on type:

16000.00

Circumstances:

After takeoff from runway 10 at fairbanks Airport, while in initial climb, three engines failed simultaneously. The crew declared an emergency and was cleared to return when the airplane stalled, collided with trees and crashed 1,5 mile short of runway 19. The aircraft was destroyed and all three crew members were killed.

Probable cause:

Partial loss of power on three engines after takeoff. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot-in-command,
- Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the flight engineer,
- Improperly serviced aircraft on part of the ground personnel,
- Fuel contamination - exclusive of water in fuel,
- Deficiency in company maintained equipment, services and regulation,
- High obstructions,
- Fuel contamination due 100/130 & kerosene mix found in aircraft, refuel truck and underground storage.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft B90 King Air in Joliet: 4 killed

Date & Time: Feb 15, 1975 at 1450 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft 90 King Air

Operator:

Registration:

N2GG

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Peoria - Chicago - Joliet

MSN:

LJ-462

YOM:

1970

Location:

Joliet

Illinois

Country:

Region:

Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2130

Captain / Total hours on type:

415.00

Circumstances:

While approaching Joliet Airport in poor weather conditions, the twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed in an open field located few miles from the airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all four occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

The exact cause of the uncontrolled descent on final approach could not be determined. The following findings were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Icing conditions.

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Guerra: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 11, 1975

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Spa Flying Service

Registration:

N61446

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

31-7405472

YOM:

1974

Location:

Guerra

Texas

Country:

Region:

Rockwell Grand Commander 680

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2300

Circumstances:

Crashed in flames in a uninhabited area located near Guerra, Texas. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and the pilot, sole on board, was killed. The wreckage was recovered on June 19, 1975.

Probable cause:

The cause of the accident could not be determined.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680 off Palm Beach

Date & Time: Feb 9, 1975 at 1020 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Nancy M. Ackley

Registration:

N680LP

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Winter Haven - Marsh Harbour

MSN:

680-323-17

YOM:

1956

Location:

Palm Beach-Intl

Florida

Country:

Region:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2435

Captain / Total hours on type:

457.00

Circumstances:

En route from Winter Haven to Marsh Harbour, Bahamas, the pilot informed ATC that the left engine caught fire. He reduced his altitude and ditched the airplane few miles off Palm Beach. The airplane sank and was lost while the pilot, sole on board, was rescued. The wreckage was not recovered.

Probable cause:

Engine failure or malfunction during normal cruise for undetermined reasons. The following findings were reported:
- Fire in engine,
- Aircraft ditched due to engine fire following failure of left engine,
- Wreckage not found.

Final Report:

Crash of a BAc 111-401AK in South Lake Tahoe

Date & Time: Feb 9, 1975 at 0956 LT

Type of aircraft:

BAc 111

Operator:

Jet Travel

Registration:

N711ST

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

South Lake Tahoe - Denver

MSN:

YOM:

1966

Location:

South Lake Tahoe

California

Country:

Region:

Consolidated PBY Catalina

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

6191

Captain / Total hours on type:

1014.00

Circumstances:

The airplane was engaged in a charter flight from South Lake Tahoe to Denver, carrying customers of the Sahara Tahoe Hotel. The takeoff was initiated in bad weather conditions with low clouds, visibility limited to 200 meters, heavy snow falls and an obscured sky. During the takeoff roll, after a course of 1,610 meters, the left main gear struck a snow berm. Directional control was lost and the airplane veered off runway to the left. The nose gear collapsed and the right wing was partially torn off before the airplane came to rest 66 meters to the left of the runway. All 44 occupants were evacuated, two passengers were slightly injured. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Loss of control during initial takeoff after the pilot-in-command initiated flight in adverse weather conditions and failed to maintain directional control. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Misused or failed to use flaps,
- Inadequate snow removal from airport personnel,
- Snow on runway,
- Low ceiling,
- Snow falls,
- Blowing snow,
- Attempted takeoff from partially cleared runway in low visibility due to heavy snow,
- Hit snow berm and lost control.

Final Report:

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina in Wikieup: 3 killed

Date & Time: Feb 6, 1975 at 2130 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N5588W

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Desert

Schedule:

Las Vegas - El Paso

MSN:

920

YOM:

1941

Location:

Wikieup

Arizona

Country:

Region:

Howard Super Ventura (Howard 500)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

En route from Las Vegas to El Paso, while in cruising altitude, both engines lost power. The crew elected to make an emergency landing when control was lost. The airplane crashed in flames near Wikieup and was destroyed. All three occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Engine failure or malfunction during normal cruise for undetermined reasons. The following findings were reported:
- Collision with dirt bank,
- The crew failed to follow the approved procedures,
- Rough terrain,
- Disregard of good operating practice,
- The pilot declared that both engines lost power,
- Attempted a landing beside a highway in desert,
- No records for other crew personnel.

Final Report:

Crash of a Howard Super Ventura in Egg Harbor: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 1, 1975 at 1032 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N234YU

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Middletown - Atlantic City

MSN:

5283

YOM:

1943

Location:

Atlantic City-Pomona

New Jersey

Country:

Region: