Chase: The NTSB Report
The band, Chase.
Chase was a promising jazz-rock ensemble, founded by trumpeter Bill Chase. In 1974, while leaving Texas for an appearance in Minnesota, Chase (age 39), his drummer Walter Clark (age 25), guitarist John Emma (age 22), and keyboardist Wally Yohn (age 27) were killed when their Piper Comanche crashed. The weather was poor and the aircraft crashed just short of the runway. The cause was sited as pilot error and poor radio comunication.
NTSB Identification: MKC75AK011
14 CFR Part 91 General Aviation
Event occurred Friday, August 09, 1974 in JACKSON, MN
Aircraft: PIPER PA-30, registration: N8129Y
FILE 3-3102
DATE - 74/8/9
TIME - 1700
LOCATION - JACKSON,MINN
AIRCRAFT DATA - PIPER PA-30
N8129Y
DAMAGE-DESTROYED
INJURIES F S M/N -
CR- 1 0 0
PX- 5 0 0
OT- 0 0 0
FLIGHT PURPOSE - NONCOMMERCIAL
PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP
PILOT DATA - AIRLINE TRANSPORT, AGE 41, 2600 TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT RATED.
NAME OF AIRPORT - JACKSON MUNI
DEPARTURE POINT - WATERLOO, IOWA
INTENDED DESTINATION - JACKSON, MINN
TYPE OF ACCIDENT - STALL
PHASE OF OPERATION - IN FLIGHT: LOW PASS
PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IFR OPERATION
PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
FACTOR(S)
WEATHER - LOW CEILING
WEATHER - RAIN
WEATHER - TURBULENCE, ASSOCIATED W/CLOUDS AND/OR THUNDERSTORMS
WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
SKY CONDITION - OVERCAST
CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE - 400
VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE - 3 MILES OR LESS
PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE - RAIN SHOWERS
OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE - FOG
WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES - 130
WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS - 3
TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS - IFR
TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN - IFR
REMARKS - ACFT STRUCK GND ABT 3/8 MILE NE OF ARPT.OBSVD INFLT AT LO ALT, DSCNDG.