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Crash of a Beechcraft D18S in Bismarck

Date & Time: Mar 2, 1972 at 2218 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft D18
Operator:
Registration:
N375C
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Dickinson - Bismarck
MSN:
A-600
YOM:
1951
Location:
Bismarck
North Dakota
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5079
Circumstances:
While on a night approach to Bismarck Airport on a cargo flight from Dickinson, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was too low when the twin engine airplane struck power cables, lost height and crashed in an open field located few miles short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Improper IFR operation on part of the pilot who failed to follow the approved procedures. The following factors were reported:
- Instrument misread or failed to read,
- Altimeter setting incorrect,
- High obstructions,
- Hit power cables on VOR approach,
- Altitude setting 30.89 and 30.13 in aircraft while approach transmitted 29.75,
- The pilot was not wearing glasses.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S near Bismarck

Date & Time: Feb 2, 1972 at 0300 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft D18
Operator:
Registration:
N57CC
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Jamestown - Bismarck
MSN:
A-277
YOM:
1946
Location:
Bismarck
North Dakota
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2326
Captain / Total hours on type:
477.00
Circumstances:
While cruising by night on a cargo flight from Jamestown to Bismarck, the pilot, a full time student, fell asleep. Under autopilot, the twin engine airplane continued for a while before sticking a mountain located in the region of Bismarck. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
The accident was caused by the physical impairment of the pilot who fell asleep in flight due to fatigue. The following factors were reported:
- Autopilot ON,
- Altitude hold OFF.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing B-52H-175-BW Stratofortress at Minot AFB: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jan 21, 1969
Type of aircraft:
Boeing B-52 Stratofortress
Operator:
Registration:
61-0037
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Minot - Minot
MSN:
464464
YOM:
1960
Location:
Minot AFB
North Dakota
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Minot AFB, while climbing to a height of 200-300 feet, the airplane stalled then crashed in a huge explosion in a field located about a mile away from the airbase. The aircraft was destroyed and all six crew members were killed.
Crew:
Maj Byron D. Edmonds, pilot,
1st Lt Kenneth A. Kuhn, copilot,
Cpt Gerald J. Walla, navigator,
Cpt James C. Jiles, radar navigator,
Cpt Richard L. Jones, EWO,
T/Sgt Lee A. Gunn, gunner.
Probable cause:
Incorrect trim selection caused the aircraft to pitch up and down then to stall and crash.

Crash of a Boeing B-52H-145-BW Stratofortress near Minot AFB: 4 killed

Date & Time: Oct 4, 1968 at 0400 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing B-52 Stratofortress
Operator:
Registration:
60-0027
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Minot - Minot
MSN:
464392
YOM:
1960
Location:
Minot AFB
North Dakota
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful training mission of seven hours, the crew was returning to Minot AFB, North Dakota. On final approach by night, the crew encountered technical problems with the engines. Apparently due to low speed, the airplane stalled when four crew members managed to bail out. The aircraft crashed in an open field located eight miles from the airbase and was destroyed. Two crew members were rescued while four others were killed. The pilot ejected but was hit by a falling hatch after ejection and fatally injured. Sgt Blazina bailed out low and hit the ground before his chute opened.
Those killed were:
Lt Col Poole,
Maj McGuirk,
Sgt Cole,
Sgt Blazina.
Probable cause:
Fuel mismanagement on approach caused multiple flame‑out on engines number 1, 2, 3 and 4. Also, it is believed the approach speed was low at that time, causing the aircraft to stall.

Crash of a Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanker at Minot AFB: 13 killed

Date & Time: Jan 17, 1968 at 0900 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
Operator:
Registration:
58-0026
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Minot - Glasgow
MSN:
17771/241
YOM:
1959
Location:
Minot AFB
North Dakota
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
13
Aircraft flight hours:
4996
Circumstances:
The departure from Minot AFB to Glasgow was attempted in a snowstorm. At liftoff, the four engine airplane went out of control and crashed in flames within the runway edge. The airplane was destroyed and all 13 occupants were killed, among them Maj Gen Charles M. Eisenhart who was completing a troop's check.
Probable cause:
It is believe the pilot-in-command over-rotated for unknown reason.

Ground fire of a Boeing 40B-4 in Pembina

Date & Time: Jul 30, 1932
Type of aircraft:
Boeing 40
Operator:
Registration:
CF-AIM
Flight Phase:
Taxiing
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Winnipeg – Pembina
MSN:
1163
YOM:
1929
Location:
Pembina
North Dakota
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After landing at Pembina Airport, the pilot was taxiing to the hangar when the aircraft caught fire for unknown reasons. There were no casualties and the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
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