Martin Aviation

IAI 1124 Westwind

A Beech liner, Boeing 757 and Israel Westwind (WW) were vectored for landings on runway 19R. The 757 and WW were sequenced for visual approaches behind the Beech. Before being cleared for visual approach, the WW was closing 3.5 miles from the 757 on a converging course. The 757 and WW crews were told to slow to 150 knots. The 757 slowed below 150 knots and was high on final approach with a 5.6° descent. The WW continued to converge to about 2.1 miles behind the 757 on a 3° approach. ATC did not specifically advise, and was not required by ATC handbook to advise, the WW pilots that they were behind a Boeing 757. Captain discussed possible wake turbulence, flew ILS 1 dot high, noted closeness to the 757 and indicated there should be no problem. While descending thru approximately 1,100 feet msl, the WW encountered wake turbulence from the 757, rolled into a steep descent and crashed. The crew lacked specific wake turbulence training. Chlorpheniramine (common over-the-counter anti-histamine; not approved for flying) detected in pilot's lung tissue (0.094 ug/ml).

Learjet 24

The crew departed Santa Ana in the early morning to follow a training program at Lancaster-General William J. Fox Airport. He was completing several touch-and-goes when control was lost during initial climb. The airplane swerved on runway and eventually crashed. The copilot was seriously injured while the captain was killed.

Piper PA-31-310 Navajo

On final approach to Los Angeles Airport, the airplane encountered vortex turbulences and crashed. Both occupants were injured, the passenger seriously. The approach was completed with a 5 knots tailwind.