Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A Islander in Seattle: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 26, 1974 at 1805 LT
Type of aircraft:
Britten-Norman Islander
Operator:
Registration:
N66HA
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
City
Schedule:
Seattle - Oak Harbor
MSN:
31
YOM:
1968
Flight number:
HG308
Location:
Seattle-Tacoma (SeaTac)
Washington
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
2000
Captain / Total hours on type:
342.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Seattle-Tacoma Airport, while climbing in marginal weather conditions, the twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed in a residential area located in Riverton Heights, near the airport. Two passengers were seriously injured while four other occupants including the pilot were killed.
Probable cause:
Diverted attention from operation during initial climb caused the aircraft to crash. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Instruments-misread or failed to read,
- Low ceiling,
- Snow,
- High obstructions,
- Flight and navigation instruments: airspeed, obstructed,
- Foreign materials affecting normal operations,
- Unknown matter in Pitot static system affected the airspeed indicator.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-9-14 near Maturín: 75 killed

Date & Time: Dec 22, 1974 at 1330 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-9
Operator:
Registration:
YV-C-AVM
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Ciudad Bolivar – Maturín – Caracas
MSN:
47056
YOM:
1966
Flight number:
VE358
Location:
Maturín-José Tadeo Monagas (ex Quiriquire)
Monagas
Country:
Venezuela
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
69
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
75
Circumstances:
Four minutes after takeoff from runway 05 at Maturín-Quiriquire Airport, while climbing to an altitude of 1,500 meters, the airplane went out of control, entered a dive and crashed in a field located about 20 km from the airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 75 occupants have been killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. Nevertheless, the assumption that the loss of control was the consequence of an elevator failure was not ruled out.

Crash of a Yakovlev Yak-40 in Bukhara: 7 killed

Date & Time: Dec 14, 1974 at 1101 LT
Type of aircraft:
Yakovlev Yak-40
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-87630
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Bukhara - Samarkand
MSN:
9131119
YOM:
1971
Flight number:
SU124
Location:
Bukhara
Bukhara Province (Buxoro viloyati)
Country:
Uzbekistan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
15
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Aircraft flight hours:
3637
Aircraft flight cycles:
4595
Circumstances:
18 seconds after it started the takeoff roll, after a distance of 360 meters, while at a speed of 150 km/h, the copilot pointed out a problem with the nose gear and asked if the rudder and elevators were unlocked. At this time, the captain realized that a takeoff was not possible and instructed to abandon the takeoff procedure. Engine power was reduced and an emergency braking procedure was initiated. At this time, the aircraft's was 300 meters from the runway end at a speed of 215 km/h. 18 additional seconds elapsed from the copilot's remark. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran, rolled for 540 meters then collided with an embankment and came to rest in flames against trees. 12 occupants were injured while seven passengers were killed. The aircraft was partially destroyed by a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
It is believed that control column was blocked and a take-off was impossible in such conditions. Various technical investigations could not precisely determine the causes of this anomaly which could be consecutive either to a human error or to the malfunction of the system as a result of the presence of corrosion on connectors, which would affect the alarm of the locking system. The decision to abort the takeoff procedure was taken too late, which was considered as a contributing factor.

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45H Expeditor in Palma Sola

Date & Time: Dec 12, 1974 at 1520 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
Operator:
R. Lewis West
Registration:
N3719G
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Palma Sola - Sarasota
MSN:
AF-900
YOM:
1954
Location:
Palma Sola
Florida
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:
550
Captain / Total hours on type:
3.00
Circumstances:
Just after takeoff from Palma Sola, an engine failed. The pilot lost control of the airplane that collided with a fence. The pilot was uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The pilot attempted operation beyond experience/ability level. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Misjudged distance, speed, altitude or clearance,
- Spontaneous, improper action,
- Powerplant failure for undetermined reason,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Taxiing on runway, unable to stop, attempted takeoff,
- Not multi engine rated, all times as copilot.
Final Report:

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2T near Kirensk

Date & Time: Dec 9, 1974
Type of aircraft:
PZL-Mielec AN-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-44917
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
1G24-17
YOM:
1962
Location:
Kirensk
Irkutsk oblast
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane was completing a cargo flight from a remote area located 75 km from Kirensk to Kirensk, carrying five oil barrels. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, the cargo shifted, causing the CofG to be out of the envelope. The pilot attempted an emergency landing when, from a height of 15 meters, the airplane stalled and crashed. There were no injuries.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2R in Kiev

Date & Time: Dec 8, 1974
Type of aircraft:
PZL-Mielec AN-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-05783
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
1G154-23
YOM:
1974
Location:
Kiev
Kiev oblast
Country:
Ukraine
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The takeoff procedure was completed with an aircraft being low on fuel. After takeoff, the airplane crashed near the airport. There were no injuries.
Probable cause:
The crew took off with insufficient fuel in tanks.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in Leeds: 8 killed

Date & Time: Dec 6, 1974 at 1721 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain
Operator:
Registration:
G-BBJG
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Leeds - Staverton
MSN:
31-7405401
YOM:
1974
Location:
Leeds-Bradford
West Yorkshire
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Captain / Total flying hours:
6784
Captain / Total hours on type:
390.00
Aircraft flight hours:
692
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Leeds-Bradford Airport at 1715LT on a charter flight to Staverton, carrying a pilot and seven employees of the ICI Fibres Company. During initial climb in marginal weather conditions, the airplane encountered difficulties then control was lost. It entered a dive and crashed in a field located two miles from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all eight occupants were killed. The accident occurred six minutes after takeoff.
Probable cause:
It appears extremely probable that the pilot became incapacitated in the air following an acute coronary episode and control of the aircraft was lost.
Final Report:

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2R in Irkoutsk: 13 killed

Date & Time: Dec 4, 1974 at 0958 LT
Type of aircraft:
PZL-Mielec AN-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-49342
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Irkutsk - Kazachinskoye
MSN:
1G12-26
YOM:
1961
Location:
Irkutsk-Intl
Irkutsk oblast
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
13
Aircraft flight hours:
10667
Circumstances:
The crew was cleared to takeoff from runway 30 at Irkutsk-Intl Airport, bound for Kazachinskoye, carrying 11 passengers and a crew of two. While climbing to an altitude of 270 meters in limited visibility, the AN-2 collided with an Aeroflot AN-12B registered CCCP-12985 that was carrying seven crew members who were performing a local training flight. Following the collision, the AN-2 went out of control and crashed in flames 200 meters further. All 13 occupants were killed. The crew of the AN-12 elected to make an emergency landing when the aircraft crash landed in a prairie located 3,980 meters past the runway end. It slid on the ground for 220 meters before colliding with a concrete mast that cut the airplane in two. All seven crew members escaped uninjured.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the collision was the consequence of wrong decision and poor planning on part of ATC acting in the tower at Irkutsk-Magan Airport. Lack of visibility was considered as a contributing factor.

Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2B-35 Marquise in Deadhorse

Date & Time: Dec 2, 1974 at 1515 LT
Type of aircraft:
Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquise
Operator:
Registration:
N959L
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Deadhorse - Anchorage
MSN:
570
YOM:
1972
Location:
Deadhorse
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:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
4477
Captain / Total hours on type:
676.00
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll, the right engine lost power. The pilot lost control of the airplane that veered off runway and collided with a snow bank. All three occupants were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reason. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to obtain/maintain flying speed,
- Exercised poor judgment,
- Airport facilities, runway lighting,
- Engine lost power about liftoff,
- Aircraft veered to right of runway into snow,
- Runway light inoperative,
- Dark,
- Ice fog in area.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing 727-251 near Thiells: 3 killed

Date & Time: Dec 1, 1974 at 1926 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing 727-200
Operator:
Registration:
N274US
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
New York - Buffalo
MSN:
20296/777
YOM:
1969
Flight number:
NW6231
Location:
Thiells
New York
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
7434
Captain / Total hours on type:
1973.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1938
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1611
Aircraft flight hours:
10289
Circumstances:
Flight NW6231 departed New York-JFK at 19:14 for a ferry flight to Buffalo and was cleared by departure control to climb to FL140. At 19:21 the flight was cleared to climb to FL310. The aircraft began to climb 2,500 fpm at an airspeed of 305 knots. As the aircraft climbed through FL160, both the airspeed and the rate of climb began to increase. Reaching FL230, the airspeed had reached 405 knots and the rate of climb had exceeded 6,500 fpm. The overspeed warning horn sounded a little later, followed 10 seconds later by a stick shaker stall warning. The aircraft then leveled at 24800 feet with a speed of 420 knots until it turned rapidly to the right, 13 seconds later. The airplane started to descend out of control, reaching a vertical acceleration of +5g until it struck the ground in a slightly nose down and right wing-down attitude. The aircraft had descended from 24000 feet to 1090 feet in 83 seconds.
Probable cause:
The loss of control of the aircraft because the flight crew failed to recognize and correct the aircraft's high-angle-of-attack, low-speed stall and its descending spiral. The stall was precipitated by the flight crew's improper reaction to erroneous airspeed and Mach indications which had resulted from a blockage of the pitot heads by atmospheric icing. Contrary to standard operational procedures, the flight crew had not activated the pitot head heaters.
Final Report:
Subscribe to Takeoff (climb)