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2 fatalities

Aircraft Crash in a Field During Poor Weather (N9842)

Ellensburg, United States of AmericaFlight

On March 4, 1966, a Travel Air 6000 (registration N9842) operated by Philip L. Taylor was involved in an aviation accident near Ellensburg, United States of America in flight. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot was flying under VFR mode in adverse weather conditions. Control was lost after an overload failure, causing skin and attachments failure in flight. 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 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

A single-pilot aircraft crashed into a field after losing control in poor weather. The pilot was killed. The official investigation attributed the accident to VFR flight in adverse weather and an in-flight structural overload failure.

Accident Overview and Outcome During a cruise phase in poor weather conditions, the aircraft lost control and entered an uncontrolled descent. The airplane subsequently crashed into a field. The pilot, who was the sole occupant on board, was killed in the accident. No other persons were reported on board. ## Official Investigation Findings The official investigation determined that the pilot was operating under visual flight rules (VFR) in adverse weather conditions. The report concluded that control was lost after an overload failure occurred in flight. This overload failure caused skin and attachments to fail, leading to the loss of control and the subsequent crash.

Probable cause

The pilot was flying under VFR mode in adverse weather conditions. Control was lost after an overload failure, causing skin and attachments failure in flight.
Structural failure

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 4 Mar 1966 Travel Air 6000 accident near Ellensburg, United States of America?

A single-pilot aircraft crashed into a field after losing control in poor weather. The pilot was killed. The official investigation attributed the accident to VFR flight in adverse weather and an in-flight structural overload failure.

Were there any fatalities in the 4 Mar 1966 Travel Air 6000 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 2 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 4 Mar 1966 involved a Travel Air 6000, registration N9842, operated by Philip L. Taylor, at Ellensburg, United States of America.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot was flying under VFR mode in adverse weather conditions. Control was lost after an overload failure, causing skin and attachments failure in flight.

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