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2 fatalities

Aircraft Collision with Terrain After Departure (N208MS)

North Adams-Harriman and West, United States of AmericaTakeoff (climb)

On October 5, 1999, a Beechcraft 200 Super King Air (registration N208MS) operated by Shoreline Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near North Adams-Harriman and West, United States of America during takeoff. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot-in-command's failure to comply with an air traffic control clearance which resulted in a collision with terrain. A factor in this accident was clouds. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary report: the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archiveUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft struck wooded terrain about 4.8 miles west of the departure airport after the crew requested a higher altitude. The probable cause was the pilot-in-command's failure to comply with an ATC clearance.

Clearance and Initial Climb Requesting a higher altitude shortly after takeoff, the flight crew communicated with air traffic control. The pre-takeoff instrument flight rules clearance required the aircraft to climb and maintain 5,000 feet, with an expectation of flight level 220 ten minutes after departure. The clearance was read back correctly by a member of the flight crew. After takeoff, a crew member asked for a higher altitude and then stated, 'uh, you want us at twenty two hundred.' The approach controller responded, 'should be at five thousand.' No further transmissions were received from the aircraft.

Probable cause

The pilot-in-command's failure to comply with an air traffic control clearance which resulted in a collision with terrain. A factor in this accident was clouds.
Controlled flight into terrain

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 5 Oct 1999 Beechcraft 200 Super King Air accident near North Adams-Harriman and West, United States of America?

An aircraft struck wooded terrain about 4.8 miles west of the departure airport after the crew requested a higher altitude. The probable cause was the pilot-in-command's failure to comply with an ATC clearance.

Were there any fatalities in the 5 Oct 1999 Beechcraft 200 Super King Air accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 2 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 5 Oct 1999 involved a Beechcraft 200 Super King Air, registration N208MS, operated by Shoreline Aviation, at North Adams-Harriman and West, United States of America.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot-in-command's failure to comply with an air traffic control clearance which resulted in a collision with terrain. A factor in this accident was clouds.

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