Jim Croce: The NTSB Report

Jim Croce with Maury Muehleisen

Croce with friend, Maury Muehleisen, who also perished in the crash.

NTSB Identification: FTW74AF017

14 CFR Part 135 Nonscheduled operation of ROBERT AIRWAYS

Event occurred Thursday, September 20, 1973 in NATCHITOCHES, LA

Aircraft: BEECH E18S, registration: N50JR

FILE 3-3541

DATE 73/9/20

LOCATION Natchitoches, LA

AIRCRAFT DATA Beech E18S N50JR Damage - Destroyed

INJURIES

F S M/N

CR- 1 0 0

PX- 5 0 0

OT- 0 0 0

PURPOSE Commercial Air Taxi-Passg

PILOT DATA Airline Transport. Age 57. R14290 Total Hours. 2190 In Type. Instrument Rated.

NAME OF AIRPORT - NATCHITOCHES MUNI

DEPARTURE POINT - NATCHITOCHES, LA

INTENDED DESTINATION - DALLAS, TEX

LAST ENROUTE STOP - SHERMAN, TEX

TYPE OF ACCIDENT

COLLIDED WITH: TREES

PHASE OF OPERATION

TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB

crash site

The crash site.

PROBABLE CAUSE(S)

PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS

FACTOR(S)

PILOT IN COMMAND - PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT

WEATHER - FOG

WEATHER - OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION

TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS

SKY CONDITION - CLEAR

CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE - UNLIMITED

VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE - 5 OR OVER (UNLIMITED)

PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE - NONE

OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE - HAZE

TEMPERATURE-F 69

WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS CALM

TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS VFR

TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN - NONE

REMARKS- PLT HAD SEV CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE. RAN FRM MOTEL TO NEAR ARPT, ABT 3MI.