Crash of a Cessna 401 in Hopewell
Date & Time:
Oct 24, 1968 at 0850 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N348E
Survivors:
Yes
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total hours on type:
169.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Hopewell Airport, the pilot encountered poor visibility and was unable to locate the runway lights. He failed to execute a missed approach and continued to descend until the airplane struck trees and crashed in flames in a wooded area. All five occupants were injured and the airplane was destroyed by a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
The accident was the result of improper IFR operation on part of the pilot. The following factors were considered as contributing:
- Low ceiling,
- Obstruction to vision,
- The pilot did not execute a missed approach when runway was not in sight,
- The visibility was reduced due to smoke from a local factory and fog.
- Low ceiling,
- Obstruction to vision,
- The pilot did not execute a missed approach when runway was not in sight,
- The visibility was reduced due to smoke from a local factory and fog.
Final Report:
