Kelco Aircraft Company

Beechcraft 60 Duke

During takeoff from runway 22, the pilot reported that he had a problem, then there was no further communication from the aircraft. Several witnesses saw an object fall from the aircraft and one witness observed that a 'hood' had opened. The aircraft was maneuvered onto final approach to runway 36. A witness said that as the aircraft was lining up on final approach, it entered a steep bank and descended out of his sight. Subsequently, it collided with trees in a 27° descent, crashed and burned. A bag from the nose baggage compartment was found near the departure end of runway 22. No preimpact part failure or system malfunction of the aircraft was found. Before the flight, a ramp person observed the pilot servicing the left engine with oil, but he did not know if the pilot had secured the baggage door. An examination of the recovered door assembly failed to disclose a malfunction of the rear latch assembly. The forward latch assembly area was destroyed by fire. All three occupants were killed.

Learjet 25

The aircraft departed Cleveland-Hopkins Airport in the early morning for a training mission consisting of a perfection course for one of the pilot. While cruising at an altitude of 16,500 feet, the airplane went out of control and nosed down to an angle of 60°. It partially disintegrated in the air and eventually crashed in an open field located near Vickery. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all three crew members were killed.