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United States of America
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Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter in Rockland: 17 killed

Date & Time: May 30, 1979 at 2055 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter
Operator:
Registration:
N68DE
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Boston - Rockland
MSN:
229
YOM:
1969
Flight number:
DE46
Location:
Rockland-Knox County
Maine
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
16
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
17
Captain / Total flying hours:
5050
Captain / Total hours on type:
603.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
2580
Copilot / Total hours on type:
46
Aircraft flight hours:
21050
Circumstances:
About 2055LT, Downeast Airlines flight 46 crashed into a heavily wooded area about 1,2 mile south-southwest of the Knox County Regional Airport in Rockland, Maine. The crash occurred during a non-precision instrument approach to runway 03 in instrument meteorological conditions. Of the 16 passengers and 2 crew members aboard, only one passenger survived the accident. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the accident was the failure of the flightcrew to arrest the aircraft's descent at the minimum descent altitude for the non-precision approach, without the runway environment in sight, for unknown reasons. Although the Safety Board was unable to determine conclusively the reason(s) for the flightcrew's deviation from standard instrument approach procedures, it is believed that inordinate management pressures, the first officer's marginal instrument proficiency, the captain's inadequate supervision of the flight, inadequate crew training and procedures, and the captaints chronic fatigue were all factors in the accident.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Augusta: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 19, 1971 at 2140 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
Operator:
Registration:
N595DE
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Boston - Augusta
MSN:
31-422
YOM:
1969
Flight number:
DE88
Location:
Augusta
Maine
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
3100
Captain / Total hours on type:
625.00
Aircraft flight hours:
2468
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Boston-Logan at 2028LT bound to Augusta with seven passengers and a pilot on board. At the origin, the flight was scheduled to Rockland but it was not possible to land there due to foggy conditions. The flight was cleared for a VOR approach at 2114LT. At 2127LT, flight 88 reported a missed approach and was cleared for another VOR approach at that time. At 2140LT, the flight reported 'four miles out'. This was the last known transmission made by the flight. The wreckage was located in a heavily wooded area on Allen Hill at approximately the 520 foot level. Allen Hill is a prominent terrain feature which is 640 feet high, located approximately 4 nautical miles from the threshold of runway 17 and eight-tenth of a mile west of the approach radial. The pilot and two passengers were killed, two passengers received serious injuries and three passengers received minor injuries.
Probable cause:
The NTSB determines that the probable cause of this accident was the improper action of the pilot in discontinuing the execution of a non-precision instrument approach and attempting to maintain visual flight while operating in instrument flight conditions at an altitude below the level of obstructing terrain.
Final Report:
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