Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500A near Solvang: 7 killed

Date & Time: Feb 28, 1978 at 1030 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 500
Operator:
Security Air Transport
Registration:
N6143X
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Visalia – Santa Maria – Santa Barbara
MSN:
500-931-26
YOM:
1960
Location:
Solvang
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Captain / Total flying hours:
17770
Captain / Total hours on type:
2440.00
Circumstances:
While cruising under VFR mode, the crew encountered limited visibility due to low ceiling and ground fog when the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located near Solvang. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all seven occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain after the crew continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Ground fog.
Final Report:

Crash of an Evangel 4500 in Merrill Pass: 3 killed

Date & Time: Feb 27, 1978 at 1325 LT
Type of aircraft:
Evangel 4500
Operator:
Registration:
N4508L
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Dillingham – Stony River – Anchorage
MSN:
8
YOM:
1974
Location:
Merrill Pass
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:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
5500
Captain / Total hours on type:
1203.00
Circumstances:
While cruising under VFR mode in adverse weather conditions, the pilot suffered a spatial disorientation when the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located near Merrill Pass. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all three occupants were killed. The wreckage was located a day later.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent and subsequent uncontrolled collision with ground due to inadequate preflight preparation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions,
- Spatial disorientation,
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Pilot checked weather data himself,
- Zero visibility.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47 on Mt San Vicente: 5 killed

Date & Time: Feb 21, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
FAC-668
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Cimitarra – Bucaramanga
Location:
Mt San Vicente (Serranía de Los Cobardes)
Santander
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The crew was returning to Bucaramanga-Palonegro Airport after military personnel have been dropped off in Cimitarra for the upcoming elections. En route, the airplane struck the slope of Mt San Vicente located in the Cordillera de los Cobardes (Serranía Los Cobardes). The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all five occupants were killed.
Crew:
Cpt José Francisco López Rodriguez, pilot,
Lt Hernán Bravo Bustamante, copilot,
Fernando Hincapié Gómez, technician,
Euledonio Roa Bautista, technician,
Luis Gerardo Maffia Benavides, technician.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560A in Glenrock: 6 killed

Date & Time: Feb 19, 1978 at 2020 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 560
Operator:
Charles E. Daniels
Registration:
N2639B
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Casper - Douglas
MSN:
560-307
YOM:
1956
Location:
Glenrock
Wyoming
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
3485
Captain / Total hours on type:
23.00
Circumstances:
While flying in marginal weather conditions (low ceiling, snow and icing conditions), both engines lost power. The pilot elected to divert to the nearest airport but the airplane lost height and eventually collided with terrain. The wreckage was found a day later. A passenger was seriously injured while six other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled collision with ground due to inadequate preflight preparation and planning on part of the pilot-in-command. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Initiated flight in adverse weather conditions,
- Attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment,
- Ice induction,
- Low ceiling,
- Snow,
- Icing conditions, sleet, freezing rain,
- Conditions conducive to carburetor/induction system icing,
- Partial loss of power on both engines,
- Later recovered,
- No record of weather briefing received,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Zero visibility,
- Blowing snow,
- Recovered a day later.
Final Report:

Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2J Marquise near Neiva: 5 killed

Date & Time: Feb 12, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquise
Operator:
New World Aviation Corporation
Registration:
N888MA
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Neiva - La Macarena
MSN:
550
YOM:
1972
Location:
Neiva
Huila
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Neiva-Benito Salas Airport, the twin engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in a mountainous area. The wreckage and the five occupants were never found.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-3D in San Vicente del Caguán: 12 killed

Date & Time: Jan 28, 1978 at 1350 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-3
Operator:
Registration:
HK-1351
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Neiva - San Vicente del Caguán
MSN:
42958
YOM:
1946
Location:
San Vicente del Caguán
Caquetá
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Circumstances:
While descending to San Vicente del Caguán Airport, the crew encountered marginal weather conditions with low clouds. At an altitude of 6,800 feet, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Granada covered by clouds. The aircraft was destroyed and all 12 occupants were killed.

Crash of a Beechcraft U-21A Ute near Sinop: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 20, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft U-21 Ute
Operator:
Registration:
66-18011
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Istanbul - Sinop
MSN:
LM-12
YOM:
1967
Flight number:
Ashak 011
Location:
Sinop
Black Sea Region (Karadeniz Bölgesi)
Country:
Turkey
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The airplane was performing a flight from Istanbul to Sinop under call sign Ashak 011. While descending to Sinop Airport in poor weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft struck the slope of a snow covered mountain located near the Black Sea coast. All five occupants were killed.
Crew:
Cw3 James D. Thompson, pilot,
Maj Tommy R. Smith, copilot.
Passengers:
Pvt Walter J. Penchikowski,
Maj Paul G. Schlude,
Maj James R. Smith.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the crew lost control of the aircraft following an in-flight engine failure.

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

Date & Time: Jan 6, 1978 at 0935 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain
Operator:
United Brands
Registration:
TI-AFY
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Fort Lauderdale – Anniston
MSN:
31-7652075
YOM:
1976
Location:
Anniston
Alabama
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
3300
Captain / Total hours on type:
600.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Anniston Airport, the pilot encountered low ceiling and fog and descended too low when, at an altitude of 1,650 feet, the twin engine airplane struck a mountain located 7,5 miles beyond airport. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain during a missed approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Sky overcast,
- Visibility three miles or less,
- Weather above minima.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II in Knoxville: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 3, 1978 at 1923 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II
Operator:
Fred Philp
Registration:
N41037
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Fort Lauderdale – Knoxville – Chicago
MSN:
421B-0571
YOM:
1974
Location:
Knoxville-McGee Tyson
Tennessee
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
707
Captain / Total hours on type:
50.00
Circumstances:
The pilot was cleared to descend at his discretion to 2,500 feet 34 miles south of Knoxville Airport. While descending at an altitude of 3,800 feet, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed in flames in a wooded area located in the Smoky Mountain Range. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees while descending due to improper in-flight decisions or planning on part of the pilot. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot misjudged altitude,
- Traffic control personnel: other.
Final Report:

Crash of a Vickers 764D Viscount in Cuenca: 24 killed

Date & Time: Dec 29, 1977
Type of aircraft:
Vickers Viscount
Operator:
Registration:
HC-BEM
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Guayaquil - Cuenca
MSN:
183
YOM:
1956
Location:
Cuenca-Mariscal La Mar
Azuay
Country:
Ecuador
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
24
Circumstances:
The crew filed an IFR flight plan from Guayaquil to Cuenca. After passing over the city of Puna, he decided to cancel the flight plan and continued under VFR mode. While descending to Cuenca, pilots encountered low clouds and failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the four engine airplane struck the slope of a mountain located few km from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all 24 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Following several negligences, the crew started the descent prematurely under VFR mode in clouds, causing the aircraft to continue below the minimum prescribed altitude until it struck the mountain (controlled flight into terrain).
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