here is one crash that could have been avoided. All 47 passengers and 2 crew members were killed when the plane crashed at the end of the runway. The plane was not airborne. There was one survivor - the first officer. The NTSB report:
http://www.ntsb.gov/publictn/2007/AAR0705.htm
cause of crash:
crew error - they took off from the wrong runway which was way short. The plane crashed into the perimeter fence and trees. Crash pictures here:
http://www.baaa-acro.com/Dossier%20Photo/N431CA.htm
contributing factors: the air traffic control tower was undermanned. This was one guy working who was fatigued. Also - irrelevant conversation between the flight crew before attempted takeoff - one guy ordered a coke with ice. The transcipt is included in the NTSB report - the crew is talking about everything except the takeoff. I guess pilots can get complacent.
the survivor James Polehinke ( first officer) is suing everybody - he is in a wheelchair and has no memory of the crash. He is suing even though he is partly responsible. here is an article on Polehinke, he seems to have some survivors remorse:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/09/06/national/main1979598.shtml
pilot's widow is interviewed:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gn_pqD4rVNs
more info:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWd4y2zHXow
no permanent memorial has been erected.
last words on flight recorder: "weird that the are no lights?" followed by "Whoa" and the impact.