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General Aviation Accident Near Vermillion County Airport (N3767Y)

Alvin, IL, US

On January 1, 1989, a Cessna 210D (registration N3767Y) was involved in an aviation accident near Alvin, IL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: CONTINUED FLIGHT BY THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC), AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

Aircraft with pilot and three passengers crashed about five miles north of Vermillion County Airport after departing Ft Myers, Florida. The flight included a refueling stop in Tullahoma, Tennessee, but no updated weather briefing or flight plan was filed. The aircraft struck a tree and a pole before impacting the ground in fog and low visibility.

Incident Overview

A general aviation aircraft departed Fort Myers, Florida, at 0926 Eastern Standard Time, carrying a pilot and three passengers. The flight was destined for Lansing, Illinois. Before departure, the pilot obtained a weather briefing at 0545 EST. A refueling stop was made at Tullahoma, Tennessee, but there was no evidence that an updated weather briefing was obtained at that stop, and no flight plan was filed for the continuation of the flight.

Accident Sequence

The aircraft crashed approximately five miles north of the Vermillion County Airport. The wreckage was oriented on a heading of 230 degrees. Initial impact was with a tree about 35 feet above ground level. The aircraft subsequently struck a pole, located about 190 feet from the tree, before impacting the ground. Wreckage debris extended approximately 625 feet from the initial tree impact point.

Weather Conditions

Weather reported at the Vermillion County Airport at the time of the accident included an indefinite ceiling, visibility of one-quarter mile with fog, and wind from 200 degrees at 7 knots.

Aircraft Examination

Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of preimpact part failure or malfunction of the aircraft or its engine.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1 Jan 1989 Cessna 210D accident near Alvin, IL?

Aircraft with pilot and three passengers crashed about five miles north of Vermillion County Airport after departing Ft Myers, Florida. The flight included a refueling stop in Tullahoma, Tennessee, but no updated weather briefing or flight plan was filed. The aircraft struck a tree and a pole before impacting the…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1 Jan 1989 involved a Cessna 210D, registration N3767Y, at Alvin, IL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

CONTINUED FLIGHT BY THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC), AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DARKNESS, ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE PILOT'S LACK OF INSTRUMENT EXPERIENCE, AND HIS FAILURE TO UPDATE HIS WEATHER INFORMATION.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X27552. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.