Fatal aircraft accident at Bordelonville-Brumfield Airstrip

5 fatalities • Bordelonville-Brumfield, United States of America • Takeoff (climb)

A twin-engine airplane crashed into a farm building after striking trees during its initial climb from a soft runway.

What happened

During an ascent from the Bordelonville-Brumfield Airstrip, a twin engine airplane experienced significant difficulty maintaining altitude. The aircraft departed from a runway surface that was noted to be soft, which impacted its performance during takeoff. Shortly after leaving the ground, the plane collided with several trees located near the airfield.

Following the impact with the vegetation, the aircraft struck a farm building. The accident resulted in five fatalities and one passenger who sustained serious injuries.

Findings

Investigations into the crash identified that the pilot failed to properly account for the necessary speed, altitude, and distance required for a safe climb. This error led to the collision with trees during the early stages of flight. Several environmental factors contributed to the accident, including the presence of high obstructions near the departure path and the degraded condition of the runway surface.

Probable cause

The pilot misjudged the aircraft's speed, altitude, and distance, leading to a collision with trees during the initial climb.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1978-12-19 Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor accident near Bordelonville-Brumfield, United States of America?

A twin-engine airplane crashed into a farm building after striking trees during its initial climb from a soft runway.

Were there any fatalities in the 1978-12-19 Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 5 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1978-12-19 involved a Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor, registration N37JR, operated by David Brumfield, at Bordelonville-Brumfield, United States of America.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot misjudged the aircraft's speed, altitude, and distance, leading to a collision with trees during the initial climb.

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