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 communication.

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.