Hamilton – Talladega

On February 13, 2001 at 06:40 PM, Hamilton – Talladega experienced a crash involving Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I, operated by Donald R. Robertson, with the event recorded near Talladega Alabama.

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

5 people were known to be on board, 5 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: 4, passenger fatalities: 4, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. The pilot and passengers were on a instrument flight returning home. When they were within range of the destination airport, the controller cleared the flight for an instrument approach. Moment later the pilot canceled his instrument flight plan and told the controller that he was below the weather. Low clouds, reduced visibility and fog existed at the destination airport at the time of the accident. The airplane collided with a river bank as the pilot maneuvered for the visual approach. The post-crash examination of the airplane failed to disclose a mechanical problem.

Aircraft reference details include registration N5AY, MSN 421A-0133, year of manufacture 1968.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 33.3967°, -86.1597°.