Beechcraft C18S

Robert A. Younkin

During a cross-country flight, the pilot of the twin-engine airplane reported to air traffic control that he has 'lost an engine.' A witness observed the right engine hanging from its lower mounts as the airplane turned right and headed towards the nearest airport. The airplane impacted trees approximately 1 mile short of the runway threshold. Examination of the right engine propeller revealed that one of its blades was separated about mid-span. The separated tip section of the blade was not recovered. Metallurgical examination of the fracture surface revealed that the blade failed as a result of a fatigue crack that originated from corrosion pits on the camber surface (face) of the blade. The failed blade was examined approximately 6 hours prior to the accident in accordance with an airworthiness directive (AD 81-13-06 R2) that called for inspections of the blade for corrosion and fatigue. However, the inspections called out in the AD were only applicable to the blade fillet and shank regions, well inboard of the fracture location on the failed blade. Overhaul of the propeller in accordance with the propeller manufacturer's manual includes grinding of each blade to 'remove all visual evidence of corrosion.' According to the airplane's owner, the propellers had not been overhauled in the eight years that he had owned the aircraft. The maintenance records were destroyed in the accident, which precluded determination of the date and time of the last propeller overhaul. The accident airplane was being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91, and therefore, the propellers were not required to be overhauled at specified intervals.

David L. Scott

The flight originated at 1235. The pilot performed two fly-by passes for the dedication of a nearby mall. The pilot radioed for clearance to land at the private airport which he owned. He was given clearance to land and told the wind was from the south at 20 knots. The pilot landed on runway 09. During landing roll, the airplane was seen to nose over. The cockpit, cabin, and left wing of the airplane were consumed by fire. The passenger escaped through the over-wing emergency exit on the right side of the cabin. He stated the pilot was lying near the rear door and would not respond to stimulus. The investigation revealed two skid marks in the grass which terminated at the airplane wreckage. The mark made by the right main landing gear was 750 feet long. The skid mark made by the left main landing gear was 560 feet long. The passenger was seriously injured and the pilot was killed.

Air Rainbow

The float equipped Beechcraft C18S was chartered to carry eight workers from Nanaimo to Port Mellon. After takeoff from the Nanaimo-Cassidy seaplane base, the pilot encountered difficulties to gain height. In poor weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft continued at a height of about 16 metres and rolled left and right. The aircraft entered a 30° left turn, causing the left wing tip to struck the water surface. The aircraft cartwheeled, crashed, exploded and sank. Quickly on the scene, in the Strait of Georgia, fishermen were able to rescue two passengers who were seriously injured (burned) while seven other occupants were killed.

Sheridan Flying Service

The aircraft was on a functional check flight. According to the pilot and a witness (employed by the pilot), the left brake was locked during touchdown. Subsequently, the aircraft nosed over and a ground fire erupted which destroyed the plane. The pilot reported that the left brake had locked due to rust and corrosion and that the aircraft logbooks were destroyed in the fire. The pilot, sole on board, was uninjured.

Marian Air Service

The crew departed Charleston-Executive Airport (Johns Island) in the morning on a flight to Kings Bay, Georgia, taking part to a mosquito control mission. En route, the twin engine airplane went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in a wooded area located on Wassaw Island. The aircraft caught fire on impact and both occupants were killed.

Robert Wilmarth

The pilot, sole on board, departed Norfolk in the morning on a local pleasure flight. While flying over the ocean, he elected to transfer fuel from the right tank to the left tank when both engines failed simultaneously. Unable to restart them, he attempt to ditch the aircraft few miles off West Falmouth. The aircraft sank and was lost while the pilot was uninjured.

Gary D. Lewis

Following a local skydiving mission, the pilot was returning to Cleveland Airport. On final approach, both engines failed due to fuel exhaustion. The airplane lost height and while avoiding power cables, the pilot lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed in an open field. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot was injured.

Don H. Novas

Shortly after liftoff from Blackfoot-McCarley Field, while in initial climb, both engines failed simultaneously. The pilot attempted an emergency landing when the airplane belly landed in a field located past the runway end and came to rest. All three occupants were slightly injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Moose Nose Lake Airways

An in-flight fire forced the pilot to attempt an emergency landing on Stupart Lake, Manitoba. There were no casualties but the aircraft was destroyed by fire. The cause of the fire remains unknown.

Río Táxi Aéreo

While on a cargo flight from Recife to Rio de Janeiro, the crew encountered engine problems. The airplane went out of control and crashed in a prairie near Alcobaça, Bahia. Both occupants were killed.

Marian Air Service

The pilot, sole on board, was engaged in a crop spraying mission against mosquitos. While cruising at low height, he lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed in an open field. The pilot was killed.

Aerovias Darienitas SA

High over the Panama jungle one August afternoon flew a twin engine plane with seven people aboard. The six passengers had been surveying for a possible sea-level canal across the Darien Province of Panama. They were tired and very anxious to get back to Panama City. Then one engine sputtered and quit. They became alarmed but relaxed when they noticed the plane was holding altitude. A small jungle airfield was not far away. The passengers saw the airstrip and they felt sure there would be a safe landing. Soon the plane was past it and the passengers wanted to know what was going on. The pilot said, "I am going to fly to Panama City." The passengers begged him to land and he refused. The pilot noticing the concern of the passengers and wanting to get the plane back to Panama City for repairs, tried to start the dead engine. With all hopeful eyes fixed on the prop, it turned over a few times. Suddenly the other engine stopped. Down they went into the mangrove swamp. Later in the afternoon a report went out that a twin engine plane was missing. There were two radios on board with direct connection to the home office and an air traffic control tower. The weather was clear. No one heard any distress call. Pilots in other planes flew over jungle airfields in the area and did not see the missing plane. The search went on for five days when one pilot saw something shinning for a moment in the mangrove swamp. He circled around again, hoping to get another glimpse of whatever it was he saw. When he was over the spot, the pilot saw the missing plane hidden under the jungle trees. Within minutes, the U.S. Air Force flew a rescue party in by helicopter. The passengers were badly broken up and hungry, but still alive. After crashing, the pilot stepped out of the plane and sank up to his waist in the muddy swamp. He lived in the mud for three days until he died. The passengers were unable to help because of their broken bones and they feared the same fate. The pilot was trying to save the company money by flying the plane back to Panama City. If he landed at a jungle airfield, the cost of repairs would skyrocket. Men, tools, and parts would have to be flown to the plane. Source : Robert L. Webb, Goose Creek, South Carolina

Private American

After touchdown at Beef Island Airport, the twin engine airplane was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran and came to a halt. While both occupants were slightly injured, the airplane was damaged beyond repair. It was owned by Jose F. Jimenez.

Angeles Flying Service

While in cruising altitude along Annette Island, both engines failed simultaneously. Unable to divert to the nearest airport, the pilot reduced his altitude and ditched the aircraft off the island. The airplane slid for several yards and came to rest. All 11 occupants were quickly rescued while the aircraft was lost.

Shaw Flight Service

While in cruising altitude, the pilot lost control of the airplane that entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all four occupants were killed.

Cardinal Airways

On final approach to San Jose Airport, both engines failed simultaneously. The airplane stalled, hit tree tops and crashed in a wooded area located few miles short of runway. All nine occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

West Indies Airways

Shortly after takeoff from Charlotte Amalie-Harry S. Truman Airport, while climbing, the twin engine aircraft disappeared and crashed in unknown circumstances. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the three occupants was found. It is believed the airplane may have crashed into the sea.

Riverside Business Flight Service

On final approach to International Falls Airport, one of the engine failed. The aircraft lost speed and height then struck trees and crash landed short of runway. All eight occupants were evacuated while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Connellan Airways

Upon landing at Cresswell Downs Airstrip, the right wheel separated from its axle and rolled away. The airplane sank on its belly and slid for several yards before coming to rest. All six occupants escaped uninjured while the airplane was damaged beyond repair. Among the passengers were two additional pilots on a positioning flight.

Private American

After takeoff, while in initial climb, one of the engine failed. The pilot reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing. The airplane belly landed in a field and came to rest in flames. All four occupants escaped uninjured while the airplane owned by George J. Darneille was destroyed by fire.

Monroe County Mosquito Control District

Shortly after takeoff from Marathon Airport, while in initiale climb, both engines failed simultaneously. The aircraft stalled and crashed into the sea few dozen yards off shore. The pilot was uninjured and quickly rescued while the airplane was lost.

United States Government

The twin engine aircraft was completing a regional flight on behalf of the Department of Commerce. While cruising in cloudy conditions, the airplane adopted a nose down attitude, started an uncontrolled descent and eventually struck power cables before crashing in Corona del Mar. The airplane was totally destroyed and all nine occupants were killed.

Private American

While cruising by night, the crew apparently lost his sens of orientation. Following a mismanagement of fuel, the airplane went out of control and crashed in an uninhabited area located near Sonora. The wreckage was found on March 3, 1965 and all six occupants were killed.

Corn Belt Hatcheries of Arkansas

While in cruising altitude, both engines failed simultaneously. The pilot informed ATC about his situation and reduced his altitude in an attempt to make an emergency landing. The airplane belly landed in a field located in Quitman and slid for several yards before coming to rest. The pilot was slightly injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Jersey State Airline

The crew was completing a local demo flight at Fairfield-Caldwell Wright-Essex County Airport. On final approach, the captain decided to make a go around for unknown reason. Doing so, the twin engine airplane lost height, struck power cables and crashed in flames short of runway threshold. A pilot was seriously injured while four other occupants were killed.

Private American

En route between the Bahamas and Florida, one of the engine failure. The pilot was forced to attempt an emergency landing and eventually ditched the aircraft off Bimini. Both occupants were rescued while the aircraft was lost. It was owned by Barbara Hall.

Rosenbalm Aviation

The pilot was engaged in a local flight to test new chemical products for spraying mission. Shortly after takeoff, the twin engine aircraft encountered difficulties to gain height, stalled and crashed in flames. The pilot was seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed by fire.

Private American

While flying at a relative low altitude in the vicinity of the Oakdale Airport, the crew informed ATC that the aircraft suffered a double engine failure and requested the permission for an emergency landing. Due to low speed, the airplane stalled and crashed in a field located near the airport. Both pilots were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Wien Alaska Airlines

During the takeoff roll, the undercarriage retracted. The twin engine aircraft sank on its belly and slid for several yards before coming to rest. Both crew members were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Chilean Air Force - Fuerza Aérea de Chile

The pilot, sole on board, was forced to make an emergency landing in a cotton field. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair while the pilot Cpt Reyes was unhurt.

Bailey Enterprises

The aircraft departed Kotzebue for McGrath, both in Alaksa, at 1315 A.s.t., with nonrefueling stops at Kiana and Tanana. At Tanana Pilot Chefley W. Priest was briefed on en route weather to McGrath as well as on the route and terminal forecasts. He departed Tanana at 1957LT, about an hour before sunset, on a VFR flight plan. An emergency distress call from the aircraft was first heard at 2126LT. There followed several communications between the Beechcraft and the McGrath ground station which issued navigational advice. At or about 2214LT approximately three-quarters of an hour after dark and during rain showers, the aircraft struck the ground violently in a steep spiral at a point about 26 miles from the McGrath Airport. This accident appears to have been caused by the pilot's loss of control during instrument flight and his failure to recover. All eight occupants were killed.

Falcon Airways - UK

Crashed in unknown circumstances. No casualties.

Wien Alaska Airlines

The pilot, sole on board, was returning to his base at Nome after having flown passengers to Kotzebue. After takeoff, a fire erupted in the cabin and the pilot elected to return for an emergency landing. While completing a sharp turn at low height, the right wing struck a telephone pole and was sheared off. Out of control, the airplane crashed and burned, killing the pilot. It was reported that cabin gas heater burst into flames after rotation.

LASLI-Chile

Upon landing at Cochrane Airport, the right tire burst. Both main landing gear collapsed and the airplane skidded on its belly and came to rest. All three occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was not repaired.

Royal Canadian Air Force - RCAF

The crew was completing a VFR flight from Camp Borden to Trenton when the twin engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances. Both pilots were killed. Crew: S/L Eric Robert McDowall, F/Lt Edward Arthur Elson.

United States Forest Service - USFS

The aircraft was carrying a crew of two and two firefighters who should be dropped in the Okanogan National Forest. While flying at low height to drop both passengers, the aircraft was caught by downdrafts and crashed in flames. All four occupants were killed.

Aoki Aviation

The twin engine aircraft left Tokyo-Haneda Airport on a flight to Sapporo-Chitose when the pilot encountered marginal weather conditions in the region of Aizuwakamatsu. The airplane hit the slope of a mountain and was destroyed upon impact, killing all five occupants.

David Brown %26 Sons

Crashed on takeoff and destroyed by fire. The occupant fate remains unknown.