Summersville – Waynesboro

On November 26, 1996 at 12:08 PM, Summersville – Waynesboro experienced a crash involving Cessna 414 Chancellor, operated by Frank J. Mazzei Jr., with the event recorded near Mt Beech Knob West Virginia.

The flight was categorized as ambulance and the reported phase was flight at a mountains 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. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot contacted Charleston Approach Control to pick up his IFR clearance to the destination. The controller instructed the pilot to maintain VFR and he then attempted to coordinate with Washington Center for the clearance. The controller subsequently was unable to establish radar contact with the flight and he also lost radio contact with the pilot. The aircraft collided with the upslope of high terrain in weather conditions comprised of fog, sleet, and snow. The accident site was about 14 miles from the departure point. Toxicological testing of the pilot revealed benzoylecgonine.

Aircraft reference details include registration N73CP, MSN 414-0505, year of manufacture 1974.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 38.1018°, -80.6035°.