On April 9, 1965, a Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor (registration N84R) operated by Ortner Air Services was involved in an aviation accident near Bellefontaine, United States of America in flight. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot attempted the flight with known deficiencies in equipment as the transmitter/receiver was inoperative prior to takeoff. The second system failed in flight while in poor weather conditions. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A nighttime cargo flight to Chicago-Midway crashed after the VOR receiver failed and the pilot descended into a hill. Both occupants died. The flight had a known inoperative transmitter/receiver before takeoff.
Accident Overview
A cargo flight en route to Chicago-Midway Airport encountered poor weather conditions at night, including fog, low clouds, and rain showers. During the flight, the VOR receiver malfunctioned. The pilot reduced altitude, likely to maintain visual contact with the ground. The aircraft subsequently struck a hill and was destroyed. Both people on board were killed.
Investigation Findings
Investigators determined that the pilot initiated the flight despite knowing that the transmitter/receiver was inoperative before departure. While airborne in adverse weather, the second system also failed. The official probable cause attributed the accident to the pilot's decision to operate the aircraft with known equipment deficiencies, which led to a loss of navigational capability in poor weather.