Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 690 in Greenville: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jan 17, 1984 at 0738 LT
Registration:
N81717
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Rome - Greenville
MSN:
690-11445
YOM:
1978
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
13834
Captain / Total hours on type:
1126.00
Aircraft flight hours:
11540
Circumstances:
As the pilot was making an ILS approach in IMC weather, the aircraft descended into trees and crashed about 1-1/2 mi from the runway threshold. The decision height for this approach was 1,316 feet msl and was located less than a mile from the threshold. A controller said that the last altitude readout he remembers for the aircraft was 1,200 feet at about 2 miles from threshold. When the radar target disappeared from the display, the controller asked for a position report, but received no reply. The 0740 est weather at Greenville, SC, was in part: sky condition zero obscured, visibility zero with fog, wind calm. The elevation of the crash site was 980 feet msl. All four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: in flight collision with object
Phase of operation: approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (IFR)
Findings
1. (c) IFR procedure - improper - pilot in command
2. (f) weather condition - low ceiling
3. (f) weather condition - fog
4. (f) weather condition - below approach/landing minimums
5. (c) decision height - misjudged - pilot in command
6. (c) missed approach - delayed - pilot in command
7. (f) object - tree(s)
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I Donaldson Center: 4 killed

Date & Time: May 2, 1971 at 1500 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N3194K
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Donaldson Center – Greenville
MSN:
421A-0004
YOM:
1967
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
4140
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Donaldson Center Airport, the twin engine airplane encountered difficulties to gain height. It banked left then stalled and crashed in flames in a wooded area. The aircraft was destroyed and all four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Engine malfunction during initial climb for undetermined reason. The following factors were reported:
- The pilot failed to maintain flying speed,
- Physical impairment,
- Partial loss of power on one engine for unknown reason,
- Aircraft observed left turn in a nose high attitude,
- Engines appeared running low RPM,
- Pilot blood alcohol level 1,83 ‰.
Final Report:

Crash of a North American TB-25J Mitchell in Cowpens: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 10, 1954 at 1655 LT
Operator:
Registration:
44-30496
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Griffiss - Donaldson
MSN:
108-33771
YOM:
1944
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew left Griffiss AFB in Rome, New York, at 1330LT on a routine flight to Donaldson AFB, Greenville, South Carolina. While descending to Greenville, the pilot encountered foggy conditions when the airplane hit trees and lost its tail before crashing in a wooded area located in Cowpens, about 35 miles northeast of Donaldson AFB. The airplane was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and the tail was found about a mile away from the main wreckage. It was reported that the crew encountered difficulties shortly before the accident.
Crew:
Col Paul C. Schauer, pilot,
Maj Russell Kraus, copilot,
A1c Frederick W. Walker, flight engineer.

Crash of a Fairchild C-119C-26-FA Flying Boxcar in Donaldson AFB

Date & Time: Feb 9, 1953
Operator:
Registration:
51-2635
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Donaldson - Donaldson
MSN:
10624
YOM:
1951
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach, the aircraft was too low and hit the ground short of runway threshold. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Fairchild C-82A-20-FA Packet in Donaldson AFB

Date & Time: Nov 17, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
44-23024
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Donaldson - Donaldson
MSN:
10068
YOM:
1944
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Ran into a ditch while taxiing at high speed at Donaldson AFB, Greenville. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Failure of the brake systems during high speed taxi.

Crash of a Fairchild C-82A-25-FA Packet in Greenville: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 16, 1948
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
44-23042
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Greenville - Greenville
MSN:
10086
YOM:
1944
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a local training flight in Greenville-Donaldson Airport. In flight, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and the captain elected to make an emergency landing. The aircraft crashed in flames in a field located three miles south of the airport. The aircraft was partially destroyed by fire and four crew members were killed as three others were injured.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-80-DL near Donaldson AFB: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 7, 1948
Operator:
Registration:
43-15282
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Donaldson - Donaldson
MSN:
19748
YOM:
1944
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a local training exercise at Donaldson AFB, towing two gliders. Seconds after cutting loose two gliders, the airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed few km from the airbase, bursting into flames. Both pilots were killed.
Crew:
1st Lt Bernard M. Nickerson, pilot,
2nd Lt Clarence L. Ferrero, copilot.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-5-DK near Saluda: 4 killed

Date & Time: Feb 7, 1948
Operator:
Registration:
43-48910
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Bolling - Donaldson
MSN:
14726/26171
YOM:
1944
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
En route from Bolling AFB to Donaldson AFB, the crew encountered dense fog. Too low, the airplane collided with trees and crashed in a wooded area located on Mt Page, some 3 km southwest of Saluda, North Carolina. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. Four passengers were killed while six other occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a North American B-25C Mitchell at Donaldson AFB

Date & Time: Jun 20, 1943
Operator:
Registration:
41-12639
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
82-5274
YOM:
1941
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on takeoff and damaged beyond repair. There were no fatalities.