Iowa

Schedule:

Omaha - Cedar Rapids

MSN:

LJ-539

YOM:

1972

Location:

Cedar Rapids

Country:

Region:

Landing (descent or approach)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4225

Captain / Total hours on type:

25.00

Circumstances:

The crew started an ILS approach to Cedar Rapids Airport in poor weather conditions when control was lost. The airplane dove into the ground and crashed in an open field located few miles from the airport. The twin engine airplane was totally destroyed and all five occupants have been killed. It was determined that in poor weather conditions, the left wing, left engine and tail separated in flight, causing the aircraft to be uncontrollable.

Probable cause:

Improper in-flight decisions on part of the pilot-in-command who exceeded the designed stress limits of the aircraft. The following factors were reported:
- Overload failure,
- Separation in flight,
- Low ceiling, fog and snow,
- Turbulences associated with clouds and thunderstorms,
- Began the descent to ILS approach too late,
- It is believed that the crew expedited the descent,
- The left wing, the left engine and the tail separated in flight.

Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Iowa City

Date & Time: Feb 18, 1971 at 1915 LT

Type of aircraft:

Piper PA-31-310 Navajo

Operator:

Registration:

N8000Y

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Detroit – Iowa City

Location:

Iowa City

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

10025

Captain / Total hours on type:

620.00

Circumstances:

The pilot started the approach to Iowa City Airport by night and marginal weather conditions. Due to poor visibility, he made a go-around and followed a circuit for few minutes before starting a second approach. In half mile visibility with ceiling at 300 feet, he continued the approach and passed below the MDA when the airplane struck the ground and crashed. All four occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Improper IFR operation on part of the pilot, The following factors were reported:
- Electrical failure,
- Low ceiling (300 feet), 0.5 mile visibility, rain,
- The pilot stated that VOR DME fluctuated,
- Right alternator inoperative,
- The pilot descended below the published MDA on second VOR approach.

Final Report:

Ground collision of a Beechcraft E18S in Keokuk

Date & Time: Sep 29, 1970 at 0135 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft E18

Operator:

Lindner Aviation

Registration:

N29W

Flight Phase:

Parking

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Keokuk – Detroit

MSN:

BA-107

YOM:

1955

Location:

Keokuk

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4128

Captain / Total hours on type:

600.00

Circumstances:

The crew was preparing the aircraft for a cargo flight to Detroit. On ground, the crew proceeded to an instruments check and started both engines without making an external visual check. A private Cessna 337 just landed and its pilot was taxiing to the parking when the Beechcraft moved and collided with the Cessna. Both aircraft caught fire and all three occupants were seriously injured.

Probable cause:

The crew started the engine without proper assistance and his attention was diverted from operation of the aircraft at that time. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The crew was preoccupied by cockpit check,
- Neither aircraft was chocked for engine start,
- No line personnel was available.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Sioux City: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 19, 1970 at 1103 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft E18

Operator:

Georgia Air

Registration:

N139K

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Atlanta - North Sioux City - Willmar

MSN:

BA-188

YOM:

1956

Location:

Sioux City

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3075

Captain / Total hours on type:

525.00

Circumstances:

Few minutes after takeoff from North Sioux City-Graham Field, South Dakota, while climbing, the crew encountered technical difficulties and feathered the left propeller. Shortly later, control was lost and the airplane crashed in flames in an open field located near Sioux City. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were killed.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled descent following an in-flight fire for undetermined reason. The following findings were reported:
- Left propeller found feathered for unknown reason,
- Investigations showed no engine malfunction.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-9-15 in Sioux City

Date & Time: Dec 27, 1968 at 0711 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-9

Operator:

Registration:

N974Z

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Sioux Falls – Sioux City – Chicago

MSN:

47034/162

YOM:

1967

Flight number:

OZ982

Location:

Sioux City

Country:

Region:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

19146

Captain / Total hours on type:

63.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

6048

Copilot / Total hours on type:

Aircraft flight hours:

3458

Circumstances:

At approximately 0711LT, the aircraft crashed while taking off from the Sioux City Airport, Iowa. There were no fatalities. Among the 64 passengers and four crewmembers, 10 passengers were hospitalized with minor injuries and three crew members received serious injuries. The aircraft was destroyed in the crash. There was no fire. Flight 982 began its takeoff on Runway 35 with the flight crew aware that ice was present on the wings. The aircraft lifted off and the landing gear was selected to the up position by the first officer. The captain began turning off the landing and taxi lights. As the landing gear began to retract, the aircraft rolled abruptly and violently to the right to an angle of bank estimated by the flight crew to have reached 900. The captain applied additional power and left rudder in an attempt to level the wings. When no immediate response was noted, he then applied left aileron. With the application of left aileron, the right wing came up; however, the roll continued to the left until the left wing contacted the runway. At this point, the captain discontinued the takeoff. He approximately 110 feet beyond the departure threshold of Runway 35. succeeded in leveling the wings prior to final ground contact, The aircraft came to rest in a grove of trees approximately 1,181 feet beyond the departure end of Runway 35.

Probable cause:

A stall near the upper limits of ground effect, with subsequent loss of control as a result of aerodynamic and weight penalties of airfoil icing. The flight crew failed to have the airfoil ice removed prior to the attempted take-off from Sioux City. The Board also finds that the crew selected an improper takeoff thrust for the existing gross weight condition of the aircraft.

Final Report:

Crash of a Hawker-Siddeley HS.125-1A in Des Moines

Date & Time: Feb 24, 1966 at 1357 LT

Type of aircraft:

BAe 125

Operator:

Registration:

N1135K

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Des Moines – Omaha

MSN:

25019

YOM:

1965

Location:

Des Moines

Country:

Region:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

7330

Captain / Total hours on type:

375.00

Circumstances:

During the takeoff roll, the pilot-in-command attempted to rotate when an unexpected situation was encountered. The captain decided to abort the takeoff and started an emergency braking procedure. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran and struck ditches before coming to rest in a field. While all four passengers were unhurt, both pilots were seriously injured. The aircraft was written off.

Probable cause:

Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the crew who attempted to takeoff with the gust locks still engaged. Delayed action in aborting the takeoff was considered as a contributing factor.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-15-DK in Clinton

Date & Time: Mar 6, 1955

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

43-49549

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

15365/26810

YOM:

1944

Location:

Clinton

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Convair CV-340-13 near Dexter

Date & Time: Jan 19, 1955 at 1625 LT

Type of aircraft:

Convair CV-340

Operator:

Registration:

N73154

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Newark – Allentown – Youngstown – Akron – Cleveland – Chicago – Moline – Iowa City – Des Moines – Omaha – Lincoln

MSN:

180

YOM:

1954

Flight number:

UA329

Location:

Dexter

Country:

Region:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

7578

Captain / Total hours on type:

750.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

2123

Copilot / Total hours on type:

1147

Aircraft flight hours:

1502

Circumstances:

Flight 329 departed Des Moines on a VFR (Visual Flight Reed) night plan at 1608 for Omaha, Nebraska. The gross weight of the aircraft was 45,215 pounds 1,685 pounds less than the allowable 46,900 pounds. According to company records, the load was properly distributed with respect to the canter of gravity of the aircraft. The climb to 5,000 feet was uneventful but at that altitude the crew noticed vibration and a slight fore-and-aft movement of the control column. The climb was continued to 6,000 feet, where the aircraft was leveled off and power was reduced. As the vibration was still present at this time, the captain attempted to dampen it by engaging the autopilot; however, this was unsuccessful and it was immediately disengaged. The first officer next lowered the flaps, first to 5 degrees and then to 15 degrees, without any noticeable effect. The “Fasten Seat Belt" sign was turned on and the captain told the first officer to advise the company of their difficulty via radio. About this time a sudden failure in the control system was felt and it was with extreme difficulty that any semblance of elevator control was maintained. The first officer again tried lowering the flaps, this time to the 24-degree position, but as this did not help to maintain control he returned them to the 15-degree position, where it was found the most favorable results were attained. Accordingly, the first officer transmitted "Mayday” (distress call) on the radio and said that they were attempting to return to Des Moines but were experiencing control trouble. The buffeting became so severe it was then necessary for the copilot to help the can hold the control column. However, the buffeting lessened and the captain advised the first officer to depressurize the aircraft and tell the stewardess to prepare the passengers for an emergency landing. This was done. By that time the aircraft had descended below 3,000 feet. Both throttles were retarded in turn to see if the trouble could possibly be caused by one of the engines. This also proved to no avail. The vibration built up to high level and suddenly another failure in the control system was felt and the air-plane went into a steep climb. As it seemed that a stall was imminent, the captain quickly moved the propellers to a high r. p. m. and pushed the throttles forward until about 50 inches of manifold pressure was seen on the gauges. The airplane then nosed over and began to dive at a very steep angle. During this rapid descent the captain reduced power and headed toward open country to his right. When the aircraft reached 500 feet above the ground the captain was successful in flaring the aircraft and it struck the ground in a flat attitude. All occupants were quickly deplaned as soon as the aircraft stopped.

Probable cause:

The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was a series of omissions made by maintenance personnel during a scheduled inspection which resulted in the release of the aircraft in an unairworthy condition and an almost complete loss of elevator control during flight. The following findings were reported:
- During a routine maintenance inspection of the aircraft an explanation was not written on the non-routine job card that the bolt had been removed and replaced finger-tight pending the arrival of a new bolt,
- Final inspection of the servo tab system failed to disclose its unairworthy condition and the aircraft was released for service,
- Vibration backed off an unsafetied not in the servo tab system resulting in a sequence of structural failures that ended in almost complete loss of control of the aircraft elevators.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL near Mason City: 12 killed

Date & Time: Aug 22, 1954 at 1703 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N61451

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Memphis – Little Rock – Fort Smith – Muskogee – Tulsa – Kansas City – Des Moines – Waterloo – Mason City – Austin – Rochester – Minneapolis

MSN:

4630

YOM:

1942

Flight number:

BN152

Location:

Mason City

Country:

Region: