Kankakee – Winnipeg

On July 20, 1984 at 10:20 AM, Kankakee – Winnipeg experienced a crash involving Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I, operated by John Chura %26 Joseph Heinlein, with the event recorded near Birchwood Wisconsin.

The flight was categorized as private and the reported phase was flight at a plain, valley crash site.

4 people were known to be on board, 3 fatalities were recorded, 1 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 75.0%.

Crew on board: 1, crew fatalities: 1, passengers on board: 3, passenger fatalities: 2, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. During flight, the pilot transmitted to ARTCC 'we've got a problem, we're losing altitude.' The controller provided a vector to the nearest airport, but shortly after that, the pilot stated that he would not be able to reach the airport. The pilot did not inform ARTCC of his specific problem, except to say that the aircraft was descending rapidly. Subsequently, the aircraft crashed in a wooded area about 1/2 mile from an open area. During the investigation, about 1 quart of fuel was found remaining in the left inboard (aux) fuel tank. All of the other tanks were ruptured from impact. No evidence of fuel spillage was found at the accident site. The left prop was found in the feathered position and the right prop was found partially feathered. No preimpact part failure or malfunction was found. Both engines were started and both operated satisfactorily, after fuel was supplied by temporary tanks. The pilot and two passengers were killed while a fourth occupant was seriously injured.

Aircraft reference details include registration N14TC, MSN 421A-0105, year of manufacture 1968.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 45.6566°, -91.5557°.