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Crash of a Lockheed L-1049H Super Constellation in Mesa: 6 killed

Date & Time: May 11, 1975 at 1640 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation
Operator:
Aircraft Specialties Company
Registration:
N45516
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Delivery
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Mesa - Kansas City
MSN:
4840
YOM:
1958
Location:
Mesa-Falcon Field
Arizona
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
12300
Captain / Total hours on type:
170.00
Circumstances:
Just after liftoff, while in initial climb, all four engines lost power. The captain attempted an emergency landing in a desert area when the airplane struck trees and crashed in flames few miles from the airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed by a post crash fire and all six occupants were killed. They were on their way to Kansas City to deliver the aircraft.
Probable cause:
Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot-in-command. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate supervision of flight,
- Collision with trees,
- Engine structure and powerplant denotation,
- High obstructions,
- Overheated,
- Ran out of ADI fluid,
- All engines damaged internally.
Final Report:

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina in Wikieup: 3 killed

Date & Time: Feb 6, 1975 at 2130 LT
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
N5588W
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Desert
Schedule:
Las Vegas - El Paso
MSN:
920
YOM:
1941
Location:
Wikieup
Arizona
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
Circumstances:
En route from Las Vegas to El Paso, while in cruising altitude, both engines lost power. The crew elected to make an emergency landing when control was lost. The airplane crashed in flames near Wikieup and was destroyed. All three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure or malfunction during normal cruise for undetermined reasons. The following findings were reported:
- Collision with dirt bank,
- The crew failed to follow the approved procedures,
- Rough terrain,
- Disregard of good operating practice,
- The pilot declared that both engines lost power,
- Attempted a landing beside a highway in desert,
- No records for other crew personnel.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-54P Skymaster at Davis Monthan AFB

Date & Time: Jan 2, 1975 at 1358 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-54 Skymaster
Operator:
Transvall Corporation
Registration:
N39AP
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Davis-Monthan - Barstow-Daggett
MSN:
10430
YOM:
1944
Location:
Davis-Monthan AFB
Arizona
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
6409
Captain / Total hours on type:
20.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Davis Monthan AFB, the four engine airplane encountered difficulties to gain height. It struck power cables, stalled and crashed in flames. All three occupants were injured while the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the crew. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Collision with wires,
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Failed to abort takeoff,
- Gust locks engaged,
- Operational supervisory personnel: inadequate supervision of flight crew,
- Unqualified person operated aircraft,
- Airport conditions,
- Checklist: failed to use,
- Downwind,
- Mechanic acting as copilot,
- 3,060 feet soft dirt strip.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 340 in Phoenix: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 27, 1974 at 1040 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 340
Operator:
Ronald Brinkhoff
Registration:
N9950F
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
San Diego – Phoenix
MSN:
340-0177
YOM:
1972
Location:
Phoenix-Sky Harbor
Arizona
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:
3504
Circumstances:
On final approach to Phoenix-Sky Harbor Airport, the right engine failed. The pilot lost control of the airplane that lost height, struck power cables and crashed in flames onto a house. The pilot, sole on board, was killed and the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
Engine failure caused by a mismanagement of fuel. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Fuel starvation,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Failed to use checklist,
- High obstructions,
- Complete engine failure,
- Fuel selector on auxiliary tanks,
- Propeller not feathered.
Final Report:

Crash of a Pilatus PC-6/C-H2 Turbo Porter in Mt Baldy

Date & Time: Jul 9, 1974 at 1042 LT
Type of aircraft:
Pilatus PC-6 (Porter & Turbo Porter)
Operator:
Intermountain Aviation
Registration:
N351FH
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Fire fighting
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Mt Baldy - Mt Baldy
MSN:
2012
YOM:
1967
Location:
Mt Baldy
Arizona
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:
9199
Captain / Total hours on type:
4950.00
Circumstances:
Just after liftoff from a short airstrip at Mt Baldy, the single engine airplane struck trees and crashed. All three occupants were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The crew was engaged in a survey flight against forest fire.
Probable cause:
Failed to maintain flying speed at takeoff. The following contributing factors were reported:
- High density altitude, about 12,000 feet,
- Airport conditions,
- High altitude short runway takeoff,
- Wind 12-15 then died, causing the aircraft to settle down slope into trees.
Final Report:

Crash of a Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer near Safford: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 27, 1974 at 0726 LT
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer
Operator:
SS&T Aerial Contractors
Registration:
N7237C
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Fire fighting
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Tucson - Tucson
MSN:
59763
YOM:
1943
Flight number:
Tanker 50
Location:
Safford
Arizona
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
12000
Circumstances:
The crew departed Tucson Airport in the early morning on a firefighting mission in the region of Safford. While flying at low height over the forest in fire, the airplane struck trees and crashed in a mountain slope. The aircraft was totally destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The crew misjudged the clearance with ground. The following factors were reported:
- High obstructions.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon near Winslow: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 12, 1974 at 1357 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed P-2 Harpoon
Operator:
Master Equipment Company
Registration:
N7263C
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Fire fighting
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Whiteriver - Whiteriver
MSN:
15-1247
YOM:
1944
Location:
Winslow
Arizona
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
2200
Captain / Total hours on type:
400.00
Circumstances:
The crew departed Whiteriver on a fire fighting mission. While flying at low height, the airplane went out of control and crashed in flames. Both crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control after the crew failed to maintain flying speed .The following factors were reported:
- High density altitude, about 12,000 feet,
- High temperature,
- Lost control in steep bank.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680F near Sells: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 14, 1974 at 1754 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Al Harmon
Registration:
N2500T
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Desert
Schedule:
Tucson - Tucson
MSN:
680-1158-98
YOM:
1962
Location:
Sells
Arizona
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:
2498
Captain / Total hours on type:
98.00
Circumstances:
While approaching Sells, Arizona, the twin engine airplane was flying at a very low altitude (30 feet above the ground) when it struck a cactus and crashed in flames. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot failed to see and avoid objects or obstructions. The following factors were reported :
- Unwarranted low flying,
- High obstructions,
- Hit cactus at 30 feet AGL,
- $ 5,270 cash found at accident site.
Final Report:

Crash of a MBB HFB-320 Hansa Jet in Phoenix

Date & Time: Mar 9, 1973 at 2024 LT
Type of aircraft:
MBB HFB-320 Hansa Jet
Operator:
Registration:
N320MC
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
San Francisco - San Diego - Phoenix - Santa Fe
MSN:
1034
YOM:
1968
Location:
Phoenix-Sky Harbor
Arizona
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
11672
Captain / Total hours on type:
1200.00
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a flight from San Francisco to Santa Fe with intermediate stops in San Diego and Phoenix. At Sky Harbor Airport, the airplane landed on its belly, slid for several dozen yards and came to rest in flames. While all seven occupants escaped uninjured, the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
On approach, the crew failed to use the checklist and forgot to extend the landing gear.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in White Mountain Lake: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 18, 1972 at 1445 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft D18
Operator:
Miami Aircraft Ventures
Registration:
N5299C
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
A-538
YOM:
1950
Location:
White Mountain Lake
Arizona
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:
3000
Circumstances:
While completing a last turn in an attempt to land on a road, the pilot lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed in flames. The pilot, sole on board, was killed. He was involved in an illegal smuggling flight, carrying a load of narcotics.
Probable cause:
The pilot failed to maintain flying speed during the last turn, causing the aircraft to stall and to crash. The following factors were reported:
- Poorly planned approach,
- Low altitude turn to land on road,
- Narcotics on board.
Final Report:
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