San Luis – Searchlight

On November 28, 1972 at 05:05 AM, San Luis – Searchlight experienced a crash involving Beechcraft AT-7 Navigator, operated by M. J. Herman, with the event recorded near Searchlight Nevada.

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

3 people were known to be on board, 3 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 1, crew fatalities: 1, passengers on board: 2, passenger fatalities: 2, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. The twin engine airplane was engaged in a drug smuggling flight from San Luis, Mexico, carrying marijuana. While approaching Searchlight by night, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck power cables 2,5 miles short of runway. After impact, the airplane lost height and crashed in flames. All three occupants were killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration N5552V, MSN 4761, year of manufacture 1943.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 35.4813°, -114.9196°.