Aviation Accident Report: 1935 Mayflower Transit Co crash

by Jesse W. Lankford, Joe T. Shumate, Jr, Richard C. Gazley

For Immediate Use

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
BUREAU OF AIR COMMERCE
Washington

REPORT OF THE ACCIDENT BOARD, BUREAU OF AIR COMMERCE

Statement of Probable Cause Concerning an Accident Which Occurred to a
Commercially Owned Airplane Near Glendo, Wyoming, on August 15, 1935

To the Director of Air Commerce

On August 15, 1935, at approximately 8 05 p.m., at a point about 43 miles west of Glendo, Wyoming, a commercially owned airplane, while on a cross-country flight, flew into a mountain with resultant death to all on board and the complete destruction of the aircraft.

The airplane, a Waco, model YKC, was owned by the Aero Mayflower Transit Co., Indianapolis, Ind., and bore Department of Commerce license No. NC-14140. The pilot, Richard A. Arnett, held a Department of Commerce transport pilot's license. The passengers were Mr. Burnside Smith and Mrs. Richard Arnett.

The airplane, en route from Helena to Denver, Colo., left Helena at approximately 4 00 p.m. The pilot, against advice to the contrary, decided to fly a direct route to Denver rather than go around, following the valleys and airways used by other pilots. The direct route took him across some of the most dangerous flying country in the west.

The airplane was next heard by a rancher in the vicinity of Lamario Peak, which is 10,000 feet high. Weather conditions were bad, there being fog and rain. The rancher states that the airplane circled several times and then proceeded in the direction of the Peak. From the wreckage, it is evident that the airplane, flying at an altitude of about 8,500 feet and blinded by fog around the mountain top, flew directly into the side of the mountain. Fire followed the impact.

It is the opinion of the Accident Board that the probable cause of this accident was poor judgment on the part of the pilot for attempting to unnecessarily fly over a hazardous route.

Respectfully submitted,

ACCIDENT BOARD

/s/ Jesse W. Lankford, Chief
Safety Section
(Secretary)

/s/ Richard C. Gazley, Chief Engineer
Manufacturing Inspection Service

/s/ Joe T. Shumato, Jr., Chief
General Inspection Service