Primary finding
Probable cause
Failure of the pilot to maintain proper altitude.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The airplane was being maneuvered over a swampy area on a local flight. A witness described the altitude as 'exceedingly low.' as the pilot was making a left turn, the airplane descended and struck some tall brush with the left wing. The airplane then cartwheeled to a stop.
Source record
Factual narrative
On October 6, 1993, at 1300 central daylight time, a Boeing B-75N1, N81235, sustained substantial damage when it crashed while maneuvering about ten miles south of the Flying Cloud Airport, St. Paul Minnesota. The air transport certificated pilot and the sole passenger received minor injuries. No flight plan was filed, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time for the sightseeing flight. The pilot stated he began a left descending turn over a swamp, and the airplane developed a sink rate which he could not arrest with power. A witness who lives next to the swamp reported the airplane was circling the swamp and was "exceedingly low." The witness saw the left wing of the airplane clip some tall brush and cartwheel. -