Crash of a Beechcraft 60 Duke near Hatch: 6 killed
Date & Time:
Jan 20, 1974 at 1813 LT
Registration:
N35D
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Eagle - Las Vegas
MSN:
P-43
YOM:
1969
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
En route from Eagle to Las Vegas by night, the pilot encountered strong headwinds and severe icing conditions. In low ceiling, he lost control of the airplane that dove into the ground and crashed in a mountainous terrain located near Hatch. The wreckage was found four days later, on January 24, and all six occupants have been killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent following poor judgment and improper in-flight decisions on part of the pilot. The following factors were reported:
- Icing conditions including sleet and/or freezing rain,
- Ice propeller,
- Airframe ice,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Improperly loaded aircraft and CofG,
- Miscalculated fuel consumption,
- Low ceiling,
- Adverse winds aloft,
- Strong headwinds,
- Low fuel,
- Severe icing conditions,
- Continued flight thru icing conditions until non maintained altitude,
- Wreckage found four days later.
- Icing conditions including sleet and/or freezing rain,
- Ice propeller,
- Airframe ice,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Improperly loaded aircraft and CofG,
- Miscalculated fuel consumption,
- Low ceiling,
- Adverse winds aloft,
- Strong headwinds,
- Low fuel,
- Severe icing conditions,
- Continued flight thru icing conditions until non maintained altitude,
- Wreckage found four days later.
Final Report:
