Meriden - Tewksbury

On August 12, 1980 at 09:37 AM, Meriden - Tewksbury experienced a crash involving Cessna 401, operated by Meriden Airways, with the event recorded near Tewksbury-Tew Mac Massachusetts.

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

2 people were known to be on board, 2 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: 1, passenger fatalities: 1, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. On approach to Tewksbury-Tew Mac Airport, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with limited visibility. While inbound from local VOR, the pilot was supposed to follow 224° heading to Tew Mac Airfield but mistakenly followed the 244° heading. In limited visibility due to low ceiling, rain and fog, the twin engine airplane struck a radio tower and crashed, bursting into flames. Both occupants were killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration N2ST, MSN 401B-0008, year of manufacture 1969.