Zone
Washington

Crash of a Piper PA-31P Pressurized Navajo in Walla Walla: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 27, 1973 at 1707 LT
Type of aircraft:
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
Operator:
Registration:
N66798
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Spokane - Walla Walla
MSN:
31-7300158
YOM:
1973
Location:
Walla Walla
Washington
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
25000
Captain / Total hours on type:
529.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Walla Walla Airport by night, the pilot encountered limited visibility due to fog. He descended below the MDA when the twin engine airplane struck the ground and crashed short of runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Poor judgment and improper IFR operation caused the airplane to crash on final approach. The following factors were reported:
- Low ceiling, fog and snow,
- Limited visibility,
- Descent below MDA,
- Night VFR approach,
- Single piloted aircraft.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500 near Noxon: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 8, 1972 at 1315 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 500
Operator:
Red Carpet Flying Service
Registration:
N2776
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Topographic
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Walla Walla - Libby
MSN:
500-693
YOM:
1958
Location:
Noxon
Montana
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
5131
Captain / Total hours on type:
57.00
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a mapping/photo mission from Walla Walla (Washington) to Libby, Montana. While cruising in poor weather conditions, the crew lost control of the airplane that dove into the ground and crashed in the region of Noxon. The wreckage was found June 16, 1972. The aircraft was totally destroyed and both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent caused by improper in-flight decisions or planning on part of the crew. The following factors were reported:
- Conditions conducive to carburetor/induction system icing,
- Ice-carburetor,
- Icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain,
- Airframe ice,
- Complete failure of both engines,
- Flew into icing conditions beyond capability of aircraft deicing systems.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing 247D in Walla Walla: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 27, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Boeing 247
Operator:
Registration:
NR13352
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Spraying (Agricultural)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Walla Walla - Walla Walla
MSN:
1734
YOM:
1933
Location:
Walla Walla
Washington
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in an agricultural mission and while flying at low height, the twin engine aircraft hit tree tops and crashed in flames in a wooded area. Both crew members were killed.

Crash of a Consolidated B-24J-10-FO Liberator near Touchet: 12 killed

Date & Time: Jul 19, 1944 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated B-24 Liberator
Operator:
Registration:
42-51617
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Walla Walla - Walla Walla
MSN:
3148
Location:
Touchet
Washington
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Circumstances:
The aircraft left Walla Walla Airport for a training exercise. En route, the aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in a field located near Touchet. All 12 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The loss of control was apparently caused by a structural failure in flight.

Crash of a Boeing B-17F-10-DL Flying Fortress near Moses Lake: 8 killed

Date & Time: Jun 21, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
Operator:
Registration:
42-2993
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Walla Walla - Walla Walla
Location:
Moses Lake
Washington
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances 30 miles southwest of Moses Lake, killing all eight crew members.

Crash of a Boeing B-17B Flying Fortress in Walla Walla: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jul 15, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
Operator:
Registration:
41-24631
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Walla Walla - Walla Walla
MSN:
3316
Location:
Walla Walla
Washington
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Shortly after take off from Walla Walla AFB, while climbing, the aircraft went out of control and crashed 5 miles southeast of the airport. All five crew members were killed.
Subscribe to Walla Walla