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7 fatalities

Airplane Crashes into Mountain Near Weston, All Seven Occupants Killed (N172S)

Weston, United States of AmericaFlight

On March 19, 1968, a Beechcraft G18S (registration N172S) operated by D. L. Peterson Trust was involved in an aviation accident near Weston, United States of America in flight. 7 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The crew continued under VFR mode in adverse weather conditions and became lost and disoriented. The crew attempted an IFR flight with a known defective directional gyro. 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 archive (1962-1981)Updated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

An airplane under VFR in fog struck a cloud-shrouded mountain slope in the Weston region. The crew failed to maintain sufficient altitude. All seven occupants died. Official findings cite continued VFR in adverse weather, loss of orientation, and attempted IFR with a defective gyro.

Incident

An airplane cruising under visual flight rules (VFR) in foggy conditions struck the slope of a mountain in the Weston region. The mountain was shrouded in clouds at the time of the accident. The crew did not realize that their altitude was insufficient to clear the terrain. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact, and all seven occupants on board were killed.

Probable Cause

According to the official investigation, the probable cause of the accident was the crew's decision to continue flying under VFR in adverse weather conditions, which led to them becoming lost and disoriented. Additionally, the crew attempted to conduct an IFR flight while aware that the directional gyro was defective, further compromising their ability to navigate safely.

Controlled flight into terrain

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 19 Mar 1968 Beechcraft G18S accident near Weston, United States of America?

An airplane under VFR in fog struck a cloud-shrouded mountain slope in the Weston region. The crew failed to maintain sufficient altitude. All seven occupants died. Official findings cite continued VFR in adverse weather, loss of orientation, and attempted IFR with a defective gyro.

Were there any fatalities in the 19 Mar 1968 Beechcraft G18S accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 7 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 19 Mar 1968 involved a Beechcraft G18S, registration N172S, operated by D. L. Peterson Trust, at Weston, United States of America.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The crew continued under VFR mode in adverse weather conditions and became lost and disoriented. The crew attempted an IFR flight with a known defective directional gyro.

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