Zone
Tennessee

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S near Bismarck

Date & Time: Feb 2, 1972 at 0300 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft D18
Operator:
Registration:
N57CC
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Jamestown - Bismarck
MSN:
A-277
YOM:
1946
Location:
Bismarck
North Dakota
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2326
Captain / Total hours on type:
477.00
Circumstances:
While cruising by night on a cargo flight from Jamestown to Bismarck, the pilot, a full time student, fell asleep. Under autopilot, the twin engine airplane continued for a while before sticking a mountain located in the region of Bismarck. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
The accident was caused by the physical impairment of the pilot who fell asleep in flight due to fatigue. The following factors were reported:
- Autopilot ON,
- Altitude hold OFF.
Final Report:

Crash of a Swearingen SA26T Merlin IIB in Cleveland: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 29, 1970 at 1924 LT
Type of aircraft:
Swearingen SA26T Merlin II
Operator:
Registration:
N239P
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Jamestown - Cleveland
MSN:
T26-147
YOM:
1969
Location:
Cleveland-Cuyahoga County
Ohio
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
3733
Captain / Total hours on type:
225.00
Circumstances:
On final approach by night to Cuyahoga County Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with snow falls and icing. At the decision height, the runway was not in sight but the captain decided to continue when the airplane struck tree tops and crashed in a wooded area located 4,610 feet short of runway 24. A pilot was killed while three other occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of improper IFR operation on part of the flying crew. The following factors were considered as contributing:
- Airframe ice,
- Snow,
- Icing conditions with sleet and freezing rain,
- Turbulences associated with thunderstorm activity,
- The crew decided to descend below the minimum descent altitude,
- Both landing lights were ON in heavy snow falls.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo near Jamestown: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jan 6, 1969 at 2040 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
Operator:
Suse Company
Registration:
N440DL
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Location:
Jamestown
Tennessee
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
176
Circumstances:
While cruising by night in marginal weather conditions, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed on the top of a hill. The aircraft was destroyed and all six occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control for undetermined reason. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain,
- Turbulences associated with clouds and thunderstorm,
- Snow,
- Witnesses heard the aircraft circling at low altitude.
Final Report:
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