Mt Shasta | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

While cruising under VFR mode in very bad weather conditions at an altitude of 13,600 feet, the pilot lost his orientation and became lost when the twin engine airplane struck the slope of Mt Shasta. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Controlled collision with ground during normal cruise after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot became lost/disoriented,
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Low celing,
- Fog,
- Icing conditions,
- Turbulences associated with clouds and thunderstorms,
- Visibility down to zero.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas A-20 Havoc on Mt Shasta: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 6, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Douglas A-20 Havoc/DB-7 Boston

Operator:

Registration:

AL473

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Ferry

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Eugene – Oakland

Location:

Mt Shasta

California

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The pilot was in charge to ferry the airplane from Eugene to Oakland on behalf of the USAAF Ferry Command. En route, he encountered poor weather conditions. In limited visibility, the airplane impacted the slope of Mt Shasta located two miles southeast of the Horse Ridge Lookout Station. As the airplane failed to arrive at destination, SAR operations were initiated but the wreckage was eventually found by walkers on 22 September 1943.
Crew:
2nd Lt Charles Samuel Riley, pilot.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain.