Accident
On October 28, 1960, at 1139 Mountain Standard Time, a Douglas C-54A-DC, registration N48762, operated by Northwest Airlines, Inc., as Flight 104, crashed and burned approximately 13 nautical miles northwest of the Missoula, Montana Airport. The aircraft was destroyed by impact and fire.
Flight and Crew
The flight originated from Spokane, Washington, on an instrument flight plan. The crew consisted of Captain James R. Perkins, First Officer Joseph A. Denton, and two hostesses, Robert Leonard and Marie Defreese. The aircraft was also carrying eight passengers. All 12 occupants died in the crash.
Sequence of Events
En route radio reports were routine and indicated the flight was on schedule and in no difficulty. The aircraft was observed from the ground flying on course toward Missoula in and along the Clark Fork Valley within six nautical miles west of the crash scene. The engines were running and the aircraft was descending as if on an approach to a landing. As the aircraft descended deeper into the valley, flight visibility became restricted by light snow showers, and the tops of the mountains surrounding the valley were obscured by the overcast. The aircraft entered a steep left banking turn and the nose was raised in an apparent attempt to turn and climb out through an intersecting valley; however, the aircraft continued to sink toward the ground, rolled to the left, and crashed inverted.
Probable Cause
According to the investigation board, the probable cause of this accident was the failure of the pilot to continue in accordance with his IFR flight plan by attempting a VFR approach during instrument weather conditions.