Date & Time:
Mar 22, 1970 at 1611 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor
Operator:
Registration:
N497DM
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Binghampton - Washington DC
MSN:
AF-690
YOM:
1954
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
1
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
2
Other fatalities:
0
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total hours on type:
106
Circumstances:
At liftoff from Binghamton-Broome County Airport, the twin engine airplane encountered serious difficulties to gain height. Suddenly, it stalled and crashed in flames in an open field located near the airport. A pilot and two passengers were killed while eight other occupants were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
The accident was caused by a poor flight preparation on part of the crew who decided to takeoff with a snow covered aircraft. The following factors were considered as contributing:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Airframe ice,
- Icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain,
- Delayed action in aborting takeoff,
- Intentional wheels-up landing,
- Low ceiling,
- Snow,
- The crew attempted to takeoff with snow on wings,
- Aircraft not cleaned prior to takeoff.
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Airframe ice,
- Icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain,
- Delayed action in aborting takeoff,
- Intentional wheels-up landing,
- Low ceiling,
- Snow,
- The crew attempted to takeoff with snow on wings,
- Aircraft not cleaned prior to takeoff.
Final Report:
N497DM.pdf132.06 KB
