NORTH CAROLINA AIRPLANE AND HELICOPTER CRASHES* June 3, 1998 Winston-Salem-- A Mooney M20E being taken for a test spin by mechanics crashed just minutes after taking off Wednesday from Smith Reynolds Airport. Killed were, Edward George Scherry, 39, of Mountain City, Tenn., and Ricky E. Westerbeck, 35, of Millers Creek. The plane hit a maple tree and two power lines before plowing into the corner of a house. Two women and a 9-year-old girl in the house escaped serious injury. May 26, 1998 Monroe-- A low-flying helicopter crashed onto a four-lane highway, killing all five aboard. The chopper was transporting passengers to the Monroe Airport following the Coca-Cola 600 Winston Cup race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, about 30 miles away, when it apparently hit a power line. The victims were identified as pilot John Thomas Elliott, 49, of Lawndale; and passengers Craig Goodman Rudolph, 37; Alexandra Johanna Schiffers, 30; and Kevin Dadey, 25, and his wife, Pamela, 26. December 25, 1997 RDU Single engine Cessna crashed after take off from RDU. The pilot, alone, was Dr. Robert F. Brown who commuted between Ahoskie and Florence, SC was killed. Cause under investigation. October 7, 1997 Robbins, Moore County Beech Bonanza and single-engine Piper collided in mid-air 3 men killed Cause unknown September 15, 1997 Pamlico Sound, off Cedar Island FA-18D Hornet crashed into water during nighttime training mission 2 Marine pilots killed Cause under investigation July 27, 1997 New River Inlet, near Camp Lejeune AH-1W Super Cobra crashed into ocean during night training 2 Camp Lejeune pilots killed Cause under investigation July 7, 1997 Fort Bragg Army Black Hawk helicopter on routine training mission crashed in woods 8 soldiers (all aboard) killed Cause under investigation April 20, 1997 Jordan Lake Single-engine Stearman PT-17 crashed into lake and sank 2 killed, cause unknown March 14, 1997 Johanna Bald Mountain, Cherokee County Single-engine plane crashed 2 killed, cause unknown March 13, 1997 23 miles SE of Cape Hatteras Navy Seahawk helicopter crashed into water during training exercises 4 aboard feared dead, rescue efforts hampered by rough seas January 2, 1997 Edenton Cessna cargo plane struck power lines and crashed into Albemarle Sound 2 aboard killed, temporary blackout in area December 28, 1996 Person County Airport Single-engine Mooney M-20 crashes moments after leaving airport Man and 7 year-old son killed Heavy fog, mechanical problems speculated as cause November 10, 1996 Croatan Forest, New Bern, 1.5 miles south of airport Twin engine plane crashed into Croatan Forest All aboard (3) killed December 13, 1994 Raleigh American Airlines, British Aerospace Jetstream Super 31 Crashed at Raleigh Durham Airport Plane held 18 passengers and 2 crew members: total of 15 killed and 5 injured Engine failure suspected July 2, 1994 Charlotte USAir DC-9, Flight 1016 Crashed at Douglas International Airport 37 killed and 20 injured, the pilot and co-pilot survived Windshear suspected March 23, 1994 Pope Air Force Base An F-16D Fighting Falcon and a C-130 transport plane collided in mid-air. Pilots of the F-16 ejected and survived. The F-16 crashed and hit a C-41, not injuring the crew. The F-16 continued on and hit a shed, killing 24 paratroopers waiting to board the C-41. 100 injured. Air Traffic Controller error, fighter pilot given partial blame April 28, 1992 Anson County, 50 miles east of Charlotte, 50 miles NE of Pope Air Force Base C-130 transport plane crashed into a lake All 9 crew members killed. December 5, 1991 Wake County Aerospatiale AS 350D Astar helicopter carrying tv crew lost power and crashed 3 killed, one injured 1987 Fort Bragg C-130 crashed during a demonstration 5 killed March 13, 1985 Fort Bragg Black Hawk helicopter crashed All 12 soldiers (8 passengers/4 crewmen) killed September 11, 1974 Charlotte Eastern Airlines DC-9 jet, Flight 212 Crashed in the fog at Douglas Municipal Airport 72 killed (including pilot), 10 survivors. March 8, 1973 Silk Hope C-47 transport plane carrying Golden Knights stunt parachute team exploded in mid-air All 14 aboard killed. July 19, 1967 2 miles north of Hendersonville, Henderson County Boeing 727, Flight 22, collided with a twin engine Cessna 310. 82 killed: all 3 in small plane, and 74 passengers and 5 crew members of the 727 January 6, 1960 1.5 miles north of Bolivia, Brunswick County National Airlines, DC-6B 29 passengers and 5 crew members killed Bomb explosion November 17, 1953 Fort Bragg C-119 Flying Boxcar flew through a group of parachutists, killing 10. The 4 crewmen and a medical lieutenant rode the plane to their death. 15 killed *This file is incomplete and remains under construction. To make suggestions, additions and corrections, please email the address below. LAST UPDATED: June 8, 1998 ljames@nando.com