Laramie-General Herbert J. Brees | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

This part 135 IFR flight was inbound for landing at Laramie, Wyoming. During the en route and approach for landing portions of the flight the aircraft picked up a moderate to heavy load of ice. During the landing flare the aircraft stalled, hit the runway, bounced, veered off the runway, and struck a VASI lighting system. The left landing gear collapsed and the aircraft skidded to a stop. All nine occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: in flight encounter with weather
Phase of operation: climb - to cruise
Findings
1. (c) weather condition - icing conditions
2. (f) weather condition - snow
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Occurrence #2: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: landing - flare/touchdown
Findings
3. (c) airspeed - uncontrolled - pilot in command
4. (c) stall - inadvertent - pilot in command
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Occurrence #3: on ground/water collision with object
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
5. Object - approach light/navaid
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Occurrence #4: main gear collapsed
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
6. Landing gear, main gear - overload

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 340 in Laramie: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 27, 1976 at 1547 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 340

Operator:

681 Ltd

Registration:

N69498

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Ferry

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Ogden – Laramie – Denver

MSN:

340-0336

YOM:

1974

Location:

Laramie-General Herbert J. Brees

Wyoming

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1349

Circumstances:

While descending to Laramie-General Herbert J. Brees Regional Airport, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with snow falls. On final, the airplane banked left, went into a near vertical attitude then lost height and crashed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Spin on final approach after the pilot failed to maintain flying speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper operation of flight controls,
- Improper IFR operation,
- Failed to initiate a go-around,
- Poorly planned approach,
- Snow,
- Observers reported weather marginal in accident quadrant.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47 in Laramie: 13 killed

Date & Time: Oct 17, 1946 at 0057 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

National Air Transport Service - NATS

Registration:

NC38942

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Oakland – Cheyenne – Newark

MSN:

12971

YOM:

1944

Location:

Laramie-General Herbert J. Brees

Wyoming

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3222

Captain / Total hours on type:

840.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

1500

Aircraft flight hours:

1861

Circumstances:

Enroute, the crew was informed that weather conditions in Cheyenne were poor and was rerouted to Laramie. Unfortunately, upon arrival, weather conditions were not so good with light snow and a visibility of two miles. The captain decided to attempt to land but was unable to locate the airport and passed over without seeing it. Shortly later, while at an altitude of 75 feet and in a left bank of 70°, the aircraft hit the ground with its left wing, crashed and burned. All 13 occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

On the basis of the above, the Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the action of the pilot in maneuvering the aircraft at a dangerously low altitude under extremely adverse weather conditions in an attempt to land. A contributing factor was the negligence of the pilot in planning a flight into an area in which adverse weather conditions were forecast without making adequate provisions for a suitable alternate airport.

Final Report: