Missoula | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

While cruising at low altitude in poor weather conditions over a mountainous area, the twin engine airplane struck the slope of a mountain near Sula, Montana. The aircraft was destroyed by a post impact fire and all three occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Collision with trees in normal cruise after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Low ceiling,
- Fog,
- Snow,
- Witnesses reported low altitude flight through pass in mountainous terrain.

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560F near Wolf Creek: 3 killed

Date & Time: Dec 8, 1968 at 1055 LT

Type of aircraft:

Rockwell Aero Commander 560

Operator:

Northwest Moon Services

Registration:

N6257X

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Great Falls - Missoula

MSN:

560-1115-33

YOM:

1961

Location:

Wolf Creek

Montana

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:

7157

Captain / Total hours on type:

107.00

Circumstances:

While in cruising altitude, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity, turbulences, high winds and freezing rain. Under VFR mode, he lost control of the airplane that dove into the ground and crashed. All three occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

The accident was probably caused by the combination of the following factors:
- The pilot continued under VFR mode into adverse weather conditions,
- Loss of control for undetermined reason,
- Icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain,
- Turbulences associated with clouds and thunderstorms,
- Flew into known turbulences.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-54A-10-DC Skymaster near Missoula: 12 killed

Date & Time: Oct 28, 1960 at 1139 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-54 Skymaster

Operator:

Registration:

N48762

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Portland – Yakima – Spokane – Missoula

MSN:

10320

YOM:

1944

Flight number:

NW104

Location:

Missoula

Montana

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:

11620

Captain / Total hours on type:

8070.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

3221

Copilot / Total hours on type:

446

Aircraft flight hours:

36842

Circumstances:

On October 28, 1960, at 1139 m. s. t., a Douglas C-54A-DC, N 48762, operated by Northwest Airlines, Inc., as Flight 104, crashed and burned approximately 13 nautical miles northwest of the Missoula, Montana Airport. The captain, first officer, two hostesses and all eight passengers died in the crash. The flight took off from Spokane, Washington, on an instrument flight plan. En route radio reports were routine and indicated the flight was on schedule, and in no difficulty. The aircraft was observed from the ground flying on course toward Missoula in and along the Clark Fork Valley within six nautical miles west of the scene of the crash. The engines were running and the aircraft was descending as if on an approach to a landing. As the aircraft descended deeper into the valley, flight visibility became restricted by light snow showers, and the tops of the mountains surrounding the valley were obscured by the overcast. The aircraft entered a steep left banking turn and the nose was raised in an apparent attempt to turn and climb out through an intersecting valley; however, the aircraft continued to sink toward the ground, rolled to the left and crashed inverted. The Board believes the accident was caused by the failure of the pilot to continue in accordance with his IFR flight plan by attempting a VFR approach during instrument weather conditions.

Probable cause:

The probable cause of this accident was the failure of the pilot to continue in accordance with his IFR flight plan by attempting a VFR approach during instrument weather conditions.

Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed 10A Electra near Kellogg: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 18, 1936 at 0323 LT

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed 10 Electra

Operator:

Registration:

NC14935

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Postal (mail)

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Chicago – Minneapolis – Missoula – Seattle

MSN:

1024

YOM:

1935

Flight number:

NW001

Location:

Kellogg

Idaho

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The airplane was completing a night mail flight from Chicago to Seattle with intermediate stops in Minneapolis and Missoula, carrying two pilots and a load of 500 lbs of mail. While overflying west Idaho in poor weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft impacted the slope of a mountain located in the region of Kellogg. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and both crew members were killed.
Crew:
Joe Livermore, pilot,
Arthur A. Haid, copilot.

Probable cause:

In arriving at a conclusion after an analysis of the evidence, it does not appear that the accident was due to weather, mechanical failure of the aircraft, radio aids or communications, or to any failure of the company to comply with prevailing rules and practices. Full cognizance is taken of the possibility that the magnetic compass may not have been functioning properly during the flight. However, a study of available evidence, this appear improbable. It is the opinion of the Accident Board that the probable cause of this accident was faulty navigation in not following the radio range course upon leaving Missoula and failing to ascent to a safe altitude over the course pursued from Elk River.

Final Report: