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Nighttime Controlled Flight Into Terrain Involving Single-Engine Aircraft (NC355E)

Silver Creek, United States of AmericaFlight

On February 3, 1930, a Pitcairn PA-6 Mailwing (registration NC355E) operated by Colonial Western Airways was involved in an aviation accident near Silver Creek, United States of America in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot failed to recognize that the aircraft's altitude was insufficient, leading to a collision with trees. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 3 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-08-04Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot lost control of the aircraft during a night cruise, resulting in a collision with trees in a wooded area. The impact caused serious injuries to the pilot and total loss of the airframe.

What happened

During a nighttime flight at cruising altitude, the operator failed to recognize that the aircraft's height above ground level was inadequate for safe operation. As a result, the machine struck trees while traversing a wooded region. The collision with the vegetation led to the destruction of the aircraft and resulted in the pilot sustaining serious injuries.

Findings

The primary factor identified in this event was the pilot's failure to detect insufficient altitude during the cruise phase. This lack of situational awareness regarding vertical position directly contributed to the controlled flight into terrain.

Probable cause

The pilot failed to recognize that the aircraft's altitude was insufficient, leading to a collision with trees.

Related events

Same operator

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