Mesa - Chandler
Flight / Schedule
Mesa - Chandler
Aircraft
Douglas C-54 SkymasterRegistration
N44905
MSN
22159
Year of Manufacture
1945
Operator
Biegert AviationDate
May 15, 1979 at 02:55 PM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Test
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Crash Location
Mesa-Falcon Field Arizona
Region
North America • United States of America
Crash Cause
Human factor
Narrative Report
On May 15, 1979 at 02:55 PM, Mesa - Chandler experienced a crash involving Douglas C-54 Skymaster, operated by Biegert Aviation, with the event recorded near Mesa-Falcon Field Arizona.
The flight was categorized as test and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.
2 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 2 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.
Crew on board: 2, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is human factor. During the takeoff roll at Mesa-Falcon Field Airport, the crew started the rotation but the aircraft did not liftoff. It overran, struck a 10 feet high dirt bank, crossed a road where it hit a truck and eventually came to rest in flames in an orange grove. Both pilots, en route to Chandler-Stellar Airpark on a test flight, were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Aircraft reference details include registration N44905, MSN 22159, year of manufacture 1945.
Fatalities
Total
0
Crew
0
Passengers
0
Other
0
Crash Summary
During the takeoff roll at Mesa-Falcon Field Airport, the crew started the rotation but the aircraft did not liftoff. It overran, struck a 10 feet high dirt bank, crossed a road where it hit a truck and eventually came to rest in flames in an orange grove. Both pilots, en route to Chandler-Stellar Airpark on a test flight, were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Cause: Human factor
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
2
Passengers On Board
0
Estimated Survivors
2
Fatality Rate
0.0%
Known people on board: 2
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Mesa - Chandler
Operator
Biegert AviationFlight Type
Test
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Region / Country
North America • United States of America
Aircraft Details
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