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 aircraft accident which occurred to a privately owned plane on November 13, 1935 near Fort Shaw, Montana

To the Director of Air Commerce.

On November 13, 1935 at approximately 4:30 p.m. near Fort Shaw, Montana, a privately owned airplane crashed with resultant death to the passenger, serious injury to the plot and the complete destruction of the aircraft.

The airplane, a Nicholas Beazley, model NB-3G, bore Department of Commerce license number NC-595H. The pilot, John M. Mamuzich of Farmington, Montana, held a Department of Commerce transport pilot’s license. The passenger was alter Chalmers of Choteau, Montana.

The pilot, approaching the airport for a landing after a cross-country flight, was flying at an altitude of about 200 feet. After crossing the airport at this altitude, he throttled the engine and attempted a 180 degrees down-wind turn for a landing. In making this turn the airplane was all allowed to lose flying speed which resulted in one turn of a spin from which partial recovery was made before striking the ground. There was nothing to indicate any failure of the aircraft, engine or controls.

It is the opinion of the Accident Board that the probable cause of this accident was failure of the pilot to maintain proper control of the aircraft.

Respectfully submitted,

ACCIDENT BOARD.

/s/

Jesse W. Lankford, Secretary

Chief, Safety Section.

/s/

Richard C. Gazley, Chief Engineer

Manufacturing Inspection Service

/s/

Joe T. Shumate, Jr., Chief

General Inspection Service