Colfax – Spokane

On November 23, 1928 at 10:45 AM, Colfax – Spokane experienced a crash involving Ford 4, operated by Spokane Airways, with the event recorded near Spokane-Felts Field Washington.

The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

6 people were known to be on board, 5 fatalities were recorded, 1 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 83.3%.

Crew on board: 3, crew fatalities: 3, passengers on board: 3, passenger fatalities: 2, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. The aircraft departed Colfax at 0800LT bound for Spokane. The flight was uneventful until the captain started the approach to Spokane-Felts Field in foggy conditions. The visibility was low and the pilot attempted to land by diving through what appeared to be a 'hole' in the dense fog bank that covered the city. The aircraft hit the ground in the vicinity of the junction of the Palouse highway and Regal street and was destroyed on impact. Rescuers could evacuate a passenger and the mechanic who were seriously injured, while all four other occupants were killed. Few hours later, the mechanic died from his injuries. Crew: William H. Williams, pilot, D. R. Mitchell, mechanic, Louis Norwell de Burger, mechanic. Passengers: J. I. Dunlop, Arthur G. Enarson, Rex Heath.

Aircraft reference details include registration NC7687, MSN 4-AT-045, year of manufacture 1928.