Zone
Virginia

Crash of a Cessna 414 Chancellor in Bluefield

Date & Time: Aug 4, 1978 at 2204 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 414 Chancellor
Operator:
Registration:
N33BN
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Wise - Bluefield
MSN:
414-0079
YOM:
1970
Location:
Bluefield-Mercer County
West Virginia
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3458
Captain / Total hours on type:
97.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Bluefield-Mercer County, the pilot encountered technical problems with one engine. He decided to attempt an emergency landing when the airplane struck trees and crashed few miles from the airfield. All three occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Collision with trees during a missed approach due to improper maintenance. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Lubricating system: magnetic plugs, missing
- Oil exhaustion-engine lubrication system,
- High obstructions,
- Oil sump drain plug was not found, threads on sump hole clean and undamaged.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 411A in Wise: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jan 12, 1975 at 1950 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 411
Operator:
Paul B. Jatkoe
Registration:
N100KC
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Savannah - Pontiac
MSN:
411A-0296
YOM:
1969
Location:
Wise
Virginia
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Captain / Total flying hours:
786
Captain / Total hours on type:
30.00
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude over Virginia by night, the crew encountered icing conditions and requested a higher altitude but this was denied. Few minutes later, the twin engine airplane entered a dive and crashed in a near vertical attitude in a field located in Wise. The aircraft was totally destroyed upon impact and all seven occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control following in-flight icing. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain,
- Airframe ice,
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Unable to climb to safe altitude,
- ATC failed to seek specific info regarding deterioration of pilot and aircraft abilities.
Final Report:
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