Wichita - Wichita
Flight / Schedule
Wichita - Wichita
Aircraft
Beechcraft 34 Twin QuadRegistration
NX90521
MSN
01
Year of Manufacture
1948
Operator
Beech Aircraft CorporationDate
January 17, 1949 at 12:00 AM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Test
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Crash Location
Wichita Kansas
Region
North America • United States of America
Coordinates
37.6922°, -97.3375°
Crash Cause
Human factor
Narrative Report
On January 17, 1949 at 12:00 AM, Wichita - Wichita experienced a crash involving Beechcraft 34 Twin Quad, operated by Beech Aircraft Corporation, with the event recorded near Wichita Kansas.
The flight was categorized as test and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.
4 people were known to be on board, 1 fatalities were recorded, 3 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 25.0%.
Crew on board: 2, crew fatalities: 1, passengers on board: 2, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is human factor. The crew consisting of two pilots and two engineers was completing a test flight on this first 34 Twin Quad prototype (certification program). Just after liftoff, while in initial climb, the twin engine aircraft stalled and crashed. The copilot was killed while three other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed. Following this accident, the project was terminated.
Aircraft reference details include registration NX90521, MSN 01, year of manufacture 1948.
Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 37.6922°, -97.3375°.
Fatalities
Total
1
Crew
1
Passengers
0
Other
0
Crash Summary
The crew consisting of two pilots and two engineers was completing a test flight on this first 34 Twin Quad prototype (certification program). Just after liftoff, while in initial climb, the twin engine aircraft stalled and crashed. The copilot was killed while three other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed. Following this accident, the project was terminated.
Cause: Human factor
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
2
Passengers On Board
2
Estimated Survivors
3
Fatality Rate
25.0%
Known people on board: 4
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Wichita - Wichita
Operator
Beech Aircraft CorporationFlight 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
Similar Plane Crashes
United States Signal Corps - USSC
De Havilland DH.4
The single engine airplane departed Dayton-McCook Field for a local test flight. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft stalled and crashed, killing both occupants. Crew: Maj Oscar Brindley, Lt Col Henry Damm.
United States Signal Corps - USSC
De Havilland DH.4
Lt. Frank Stuart Patterson, son and nephew of the co-founders of National Cash Register, is killed in the crash of his DH.4M, AS-32098, at Wilbur Wright Field during a flight test of a new mechanism for synchronizing machine gun and propeller, when a tie rod breaks during a dive from 15,000 feet (4,600 m), causing the wings to separate from the aircraft. Wishing to recognize the contributions of the Patterson family (owners of NCR) the area of Wright Field east of Huffman Dam (including Wilbur Wright Field, Fairfield Air Depot, and the Huffman Prairie) is renamed Patterson Field on 6 July 1931, in honor of Lt. Patterson.
United States Signal Corps - USSC
De Havilland DH.4
The aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances.
United States Signal Corps - USSC
De Havilland DH.4
The crew was completing a training mission. At an altitude of about 4,000 feet, the aircraft entered a spin and crashed in an open field near Everman-Barron Field Airport. A crew was killed and the second occupants was injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
U.S. Air Mail Service
De Havilland DH.4
Crashed following an engine failure. Pilot fate unknown.
United States Signal Corps - USSC
De Havilland DH.4
The accident occurred in unknown circumstances.