SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — Saturday’s crash of a Pilatus PC-12 single-engine turboprop aircraft is one of the worst in South Dakota history.
It claimed nine souls and injured three others.
The worst airplane crashes that KELO.com News could find involved United States Air Force aircraft.
- 26 DEAD–CONVAIR B-36 PEACEMAKER BOMBER, AUGUST 27, 1954
Location: Near Ellsworth Air Force Base
From the Bureau of Aircraft Accident Archives website:
Circumstances: The RB-36H was flying at 145 miles per hour on a heading of 147 degrees (true), descending at 750 feet per minute when the left wing struck one of the inoperative obstruction lights. Seventy feet beyond the obstruction light the lower fuselage struck the ground 8,777 feet short and 225 feet right of the centerline of Runway 12
Probable cause: Altimeter and radar errors.
- 17 DEAD–BOEING B-29 SUPERFORTRESS BOMBER, AUGUST 19, 1948
Location: Near Ellsworth Air Force Base
From the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives website: Circumstances: Shortly after takeoff from Ellsworth AFB, while in initial climb, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in a huge explosion in a prairie located 5 miles north of the airfield. All 17 occupants were killed.
Probable cause: Engine failure during initial climb.
- 9 DEAD–BEECHCRAFT E18, “THE SPIRIT OF SIX,” MARCH 17, 1968
Location: Near Rapid City Regional Airport From the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives website: Circumstances: On final approach to Rapid City Airport, the pilot encountered gusty winds and lost control of the airplane that crashed in a huge explosion in a field. All nine occupants were killed, including six cheerleaders from Rapid City High School.
Probable cause: Improper compensation for wind conditions on part of the pilot who failed to maintain flying speed. Inadequate preflight preparation and unfavorable wind component were also reported. Improperly loaded aircraft was considered as a contributing factor. Gusting wind up to 20 knots exceeded rearward CofG limits.
- 8 DEAD–MITSUBISHI MU-2 MARQUISE, GOVERNOR MICKELSON PLANE CRASH, APRIL 19, 1993
Location: Near Dubuque, Iowa
Circumstances: Governor Mickelson, two pilots, and five state and business leaders were returning to Pierre from a trip to Cincinnatti to discuss the John Morrell plant in Sioux Falls with its owner, Chiquita Brands.
Probable cause: The fatigue cracking and fracture of the propeller hub arm. The resultant separation of the hub arm and the propeller blade damaged the engine, nacelle, wing, and fuselage, thereby causing significant degradation to aircraft performance and control that made a successful landing problematic.
- 6 DEAD–LEARJET 35, PAYNE STEWART CRASH, OCTOBER 25, 1999
Location: West of Aberdeen
Circumstances: Pilots and passengers lost consciousness and aircraft drifted off course from Florida to Texas.
Probable cause: Incapacitation of the flight crew members as a result of their failure to receive supplemental oxygen following a loss of cabin pressurization, for undetermined reasons.
