Jim Croce: The NTSB Report
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
The crash site.
PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONSFACTOR(S)
PILOT IN COMMAND - PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENTWEATHER - FOG
WEATHER - OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISIONTERRAIN - 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.