Zone
Nevada

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

Date & Time: Jan 27, 1981 at 2230 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Turbo Commander 680/681
Operator:
Orcon Inc.
Registration:
N500JP
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Reno - Winnemucca
MSN:
681-6003
YOM:
1969
Location:
Winnemucca
Nevada
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
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 Cessna 414 Chancellor near Chester: 8 killed

Date & Time: Dec 22, 1974 at 1507 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 414 Chancellor
Operator:
McGee Enterprises
Registration:
N414ZM
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Eureka - Winnemucca
MSN:
414-0494
YOM:
1974
Location:
Chester
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Captain / Total flying hours:
2773
Captain / Total hours on type:
385.00
Circumstances:
While cruising at an altitude of 19,000 feet in marginal weather conditions, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed in a wooded area located about nine miles northwest of Chester, California. The wreckage was found few hours later. The aircraft was destroyed and all eight occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Spatial disorientation,
- Exceeded designed stress limits of aircraft,
- Overload failure,
- Separation in flight,
- Empennage separated,
- Entered overcast about 19,000 feet.
Final Report:
Subscribe to Winnemucca