Crash of a Cessna 414 Chancellor near Chester: 8 killed
Date & Time:
Dec 22, 1974 at 1507 LT
Registration:
N414ZM
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Eureka - Winnemucca
MSN:
414-0494
YOM:
1974
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
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.
- Spatial disorientation,
- Exceeded designed stress limits of aircraft,
- Overload failure,
- Separation in flight,
- Empennage separated,
- Entered overcast about 19,000 feet.
Final Report:
