Crash of an Antonov AN-26 in Komsomolsk-on-Amur: 9 killed

Date & Time: Dec 10, 1979
Type of aircraft:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
The airplane was engaged in a flight where the crew was supposed to test various equipments, probably military ones. According to officials, in poor weather conditions, the airplane deviated from the departure climb course, collided with trees and crashed on a hilly terrain. The wreckage was found in snow about a week later. All nine occupants have been killed.
Probable cause:
Due to the extreme secret character of the mission, no information were published about the circumstances and the causes of the accident. All information related to this tragedy were immediately classified by the Soviet Authorities.

Crash of a PAC Cresco 08-600 in Maramarua

Date & Time: Dec 10, 1979
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ZK-LTP
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
001
YOM:
1979
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was completing a test flight on this first PAC Cresco 08-600 prototype. En route, the pilot lost control of the airplane after the tail detached. The single engine airplane entered a dive and while the pilot was able to parachute to safety, the airplane crashed and was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Structural failure of the tail in flight.

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-90 King Air in Laredo

Date & Time: Sep 3, 1979 at 1712 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N332K
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Laredo - Laredo
MSN:
LJ-79
YOM:
1966
Location:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
6000
Captain / Total hours on type:
400.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Laredo Airport, while in a local test flight, one engine stopped. The crew attempted an emergency landing and completed a belly landing in an open field located near the airport. The airplane came to rest and was damaged beyond repair while both pilots escaped uninjured.
Probable cause:
Engine failure during climb due to fuel exhaustion. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Fuel exhaustion,
- Intentional wheels-up landing,
- Complete engine failure,
- Forced landing off airport on land.
Final Report:

Crash of a Swearingen SA226T Merlin III in San Marcos

Date & Time: May 31, 1979 at 1042 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N5654M
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
San Marcos - San Marcos
MSN:
T-303
YOM:
1979
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5300
Captain / Total hours on type:
6.00
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was engaged in a local experimentation flight at San Marcos Airport on behalf of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). During the last segment, at level off, the airplane landed hard and struck the runway surface. Upon impact, the undercarriage were torn off and the airplane came on its belly. All four occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Hard landing following improper operation of powerplant and powerplant controls. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper level off,
- Overload failure,
- FAA flight test pilot at controls.
Final Report:

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2R in Ufa: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 28, 1979 at 1626 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-35595
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Ufa - Ufa
MSN:
1G115-46
YOM:
1970
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Aircraft flight hours:
6282
Aircraft flight cycles:
17563
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a local test flight before completing a crop spraying mission. Following a running distance of 250-280 meters on takeoff, the pilot-in-command started the rotation. Unable to maintain a positive rate of climb, the airplane struck tree tops, stalled and crashed upside down 78 meters further in a field, about 1,037 meters after the start of the take off run. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the total weight of the aircraft at takeoff was 779 kilos above the MTOW. Following a too short takeoff roll, the pilot-in-command rotated prematurely. Due to an insufficient speed, the airplane was unable to maintain a positive rate of climb and a correct climb path.

Crash of a Douglas C-54S Skymaster in Mesa

Date & Time: May 15, 1979 at 1455 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N44905
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Mesa - Chandler
MSN:
22159
YOM:
1945
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
12127
Captain / Total hours on type:
4399.00
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Mesa-Falcon Field Airport, the crew started the rotation but the aircraft did not liftoff. It overran, struck a 10 feet high dirt bank, crossed a road where it hit a truck and eventually came to rest in flames in an orange grove. Both pilots, en route to Chandler-Stellar Airpark on a test flight, were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
Collision with dirt bank on takeoff due to inadequate preflight preparation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to abort takeoff,
- Failed to use the checklist,
- Gust locks engaged.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 414 Chancellor in Arlington

Date & Time: Feb 7, 1979 at 1330 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N141WB
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Wichita - Wichita
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
9201
Captain / Total hours on type:
31.00
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, departed Wichita Airport on a local test flight, accompanied by a second aircraft. Both aircraft were visually checking each others underside when they collided in flight. Out of control, they crashed in a field located in Arlington, Kansas. Both pilots were injured, the one on board the Chancellor critically.
Probable cause:
In-flight collision during normal cruise after the pilot failed to maintain adequate separation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Pilot of other aircraft,
- Not under radar contact,
- No control area.
Final Report:

Crash of a Fokker F27 Friendship 500 near Rodez: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 28, 1979 at 1726 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
F-BYAH
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Rodez - Rodez
MSN:
10570
YOM:
1978
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
6367
Captain / Total hours on type:
1021.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1991
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1178
Aircraft flight hours:
1704
Aircraft flight cycles:
1366
Circumstances:
The crew departed Rodez-Marcillac Airport at 1715LT on a local test flight following a two-month maintenance period after the aircraft was suffering vibrations during preceding flights. On board were two pilots of Air Rouergue, two engineers from the same operator, a Fokker technician and one pilot from Air Alpes. The test program was short, about 15 minutes, with two circuits planned at an altitude of 7,000 feet over the Rodez beacon. On approach to runway 31, the crew was supposed to complete a level off at 4,400 feet QNH but continued the descent until the airplane struck a mountain shrouded in clouds and located about 17 km from the airport. One of the passenger was seriously injured while five other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the crew to level off at the prescribed altitude either due to inadequate monitoring when passing through 4,400 feet or an altimeter setting error by confusion between QNH and QFE. Other factors were a lack of flight preparation; non use of the radio altimeter and a possible CofG outside limits affecting the longitudinal maneuverability. Also, no approach card was evident in the cockpit for this aerodrome and the presence of an additional person on the flight deck may have distracted the crew.
Final Report:

Ground accident of a Lockheed C-130H Hercules in Milan

Date & Time: Jan 23, 1979
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
MM62000
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
4497
YOM:
1973
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Technicians were engaged in ground tests at Malpensa Airport. While parked on the ramp, an engine run-up was initiated when the airplane jumped over the chocks and eventually struck obstacles and came to rest. There were no injuries.

Crash of a Grumman G-21A Goose off Christiansted

Date & Time: Nov 5, 1978 at 0939 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N74676
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Christiansted - Christiansted
MSN:
1172
YOM:
1942
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
8943
Captain / Total hours on type:
443.00
Circumstances:
The seaplane was engaged in a test flight out from Christiansted on behalf of the FAA. While flying off Christiansted, the pilot encountered engine problems and decided to ditch the aircraft few miles offshore. All three occupants were rescued while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Ditching following a double engine failure after the pilot attempted operation with known deficiens in equipment. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Attempted operation beyond experience/ability level,
- Failure of both engines,
- Aircraft came to rest in water,
- 25 rpm flux reported on left engine previous three days of flight,
- 200 rpm during climbout and continued flight.
Final Report: