Reno

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Reno - Denver

MSN:

414-0436

YOM:

1973

Location:

Aurora

Colorado

Country:

Region:

Rockwell Turbo Commander 680/681

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4414

Captain / Total hours on type:

1862.00

Aircraft flight hours:

1862

Circumstances:

During weather briefings the pilot was advised of icing conditions in the Denver area. While approaching the Denver area the pilot radioed 'can you get me down, it's a little bit icy up here.' The pilot was subsequently asked and was given a close turn onto the outer marker. The aircraft was observed to overfly the airport at about 500 feet agl. The pilot then acknowledge the missed approach instructions, and 1 minute later reported ...'lots of ice...' and '...i'm stalling out...' The pilot reportedly did not like to fly approaches to minimums and set the altitude alerter to an altitude above minimums as a safety margin. The pilot had logged 3.5 hours actual and 4.1 hours simulated instrument time, and 3 instrument approaches in the last 6 months. The aircraft's cg was 6 inches aft of the aft cg limit.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: in flight encounter with weather
Phase of operation: approach
Findings
1. (f) weather condition - icing conditions
2. (f) flight into known adverse weather - intentional - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: missed approach (IFR)
Findings
3. (f) light condition - dark night
4. (f) weather condition - snow
5. (f) weather condition - low ceiling
6. (c) ifr procedure - improper - pilot in command
7. (c) decision height - not attained - pilot in command
8. (f) underconfidence in personal ability - pilot in command
9. (f) lack of recent instrument time - pilot in command
10. (f) missed approach - initiated - pilot in command
11. (c) wing - ice
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: missed approach (IFR).

Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Turbo Commander 681 in Winnemucca: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 27, 1981 at 2230 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Orcon Inc.

Registration:

N500JP

Flight Phase:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Reno - Winnemucca

MSN:

681-6003

YOM:

1969

Location:

Winnemucca

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total hours on type:

60.00

Circumstances:

The approach to Winnemucca was completed by night and poor weather conditions. On final, the airplane struck the ground below airport elevation and crashed. The pilot and a passenger were killed while a second passenger was seriously injured.

Probable cause:

Controlled collision with ground on final approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Rain,
- Snow,
- Turbulences associated with clouds and thunderstorms,
- Obstructions to vision,
- Weather slightly worse than forecast.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft A60 Duke in Driggs: 6 killed

Date & Time: Nov 27, 1980 at 0007 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft 60 Duke

Operator:

Registration:

N17JC

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Novato – Reno – Driggs

MSN:

P-223

YOM:

1973

Location:

Driggs-Reed Memorial

Idaho

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1250

Captain / Total hours on type:

600.00

Circumstances:

The twin engine airplane departed Novato Airport, California, at 1830LT on November 26 with five passengers and one pilot on board. A fuel stop was completed at Reno Airport then the airplane proceeded to the northeast. While descending to Driggs-Reed Memorial Airport by night and foggy conditions, the pilot lost control of the airplane that entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in an open field, bursting into flames. All six occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled descent and subsequent crash after the pilot suffered a spatial disorientation while continuing VFR flight in adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fog,
- Pilot fatigue,
- Visibility half a mile or less,
- Pilot engaged in normal work-day activities before departing Novato at 1830LT.

Final Report:

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-1-CU Commando near Upland: 4 killed

Date & Time: Oct 5, 1945

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

41-5190

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Norton - Reno

MSN:

26392

YOM:

943

Location:

Upland

California

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Few minutes after takeoff from Norton AFB, in San Bernardino, while cruising in poor weather conditions, the aircraft hit the west slope of Mt Baldy at a height of 10,064 feet. The wreckage was found a day later and all four occupants have been killed. At the time of the accident, visibility was poor due to low clouds and precipitations.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-40-CU Commando in Gold Run: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jun 22, 1945 at 2337 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

42-107339

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Reno – Long Beach

MSN:

27026

YOM:

1944

Location:

Gold Run

California

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew departed Reno on a high level training flight bound for Long Beach, California. Enroute, weather conditions worsened and the captain decided to return to Reno. Few minutes later, the aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in the American River Canyon located in Gold Run. The aircraft was destroyed and all three crew members were killed. There are conflicting versions about the reason of occurrence as one revealed that the loss of control was caused by an explosion in the right wing and the separation of both wings shortly later, and the second version mentioned a fire in the cockpit.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-45-CU Commando near Carson City: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 6, 1945 at 0715 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

42-96690

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Reno - Reno

MSN:

30352

YOM:

1944

Location:

Carson City

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew departed Reno AAF at 0650LT for a local training mission. While cruising east of Carson City, a fire erupted in the left engine. Shortly later, the left wing on fire detached and hit the tail. The aircraft went out of control, disintegrated and eventually crashed in a mountainous area located some 31 miles east of Carson City. All five crew members were killed.
Crew:
Cpt William A. Beven,
Pvt William R. Carl,
Pvt Fred R. Davis,
F/O Donovan J. Hogan,
1st Lt Walter E. Schmidt.

Probable cause:

Engine fire in flight.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-45-CU Commando in Reno: 7 killed

Date & Time: Oct 26, 1944 at 0603 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

42-96716

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Reno - Reno

MSN:

30378

YOM:

1944

Location:

Reno

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was engaged in a circular training mission at Reno Army Airfield. After completing a tour around the airport, the crew started the approach by night when it was struck by another USAAF C-46 registered 41-12357 and carrying a crew of five. Following the collision, both aircraft went out of control and crashed few km from the airport. Both aircraft were destroyed and all 12 crew members were killed.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-10-CU Commando in Reno: 5 killed

Date & Time: Oct 26, 1944 at 0603 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

41-12357

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Reno - Reno

MSN:

26484

YOM:

1943

Location:

Reno

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was engaged in a circular training mission at Reno Army Airfield. After completing a tour around the airport, the crew started the approach by night when it was struck by another USAAF C-46 registered 42-96716 and carrying a crew of seven. Following the collision, both aircraft went out of control and crashed few km from the airport. Both aircraft were destroyed and all 12 crew members were killed.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-10-CU in McClellan AFB: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 18, 1944 at 0100 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

41-12339

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

McClellan AFB - Reno

MSN:

26466

YOM:

1943

Location:

Sacramento-McClellan

California

Country:

Region: