FOR IMMEDIATE USE    May 7, 1936

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

BUREAU OF AIR COMMERCE

Washington

STATEMENT OF PROBABLE CAUSE CONCERNING AN AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT WHICH OCCURRED TO A PRIVATELY OWNED AIRPLANE NEAR HAMILTON, OHIO, ON APRIL 8, 1936

To the Secretary of Commerce.

On April 8, 1936, at approximately 7.17 p.m. near Hamilton, Ohio, a privately owned airplane crashed with resultant death to the pilot and passenger and the complete destruction of the aircraft.

The airplane, an Aeronca, model C-3, bore Department of Commerce license number NC-14094. The pilot, Elmer C. Treiber, formerly held a Department of Commerce student pilot’s license which had expired on June 6, 1933. The passenger was Mr. Frederick Sherer.

The only eye-witness to this accident who could be found stated that he saw the airplane flying north at an altitude of about 200 feet, make a turn of 180 degree and fly straight south for about 100 yards and then dive s straight into the ground. The condition of the wreckage, however, indicated that the left wing vas first torn off, as though the airplane had contacted the ground in a spin or steep bank, the remainder of the airplane going north through one fence, bouncing over another fence and coming to rest facing south.

From available evidence, it appears that the pilot, flying extremely low and in the semi-darkness following sunset, attempted a turn to the left, possibly for the purpose of landing in a nearby pasture. In making this turn he allowed the left wing to contact the ground with the result described above. There as no evidence of engine or structural failure.

The total flying time of this student pilot could not be ascertained. It is known, however, that he had done very little flying in the preceding six months.

It is the opinion of the Bureau of Air Commerce that the probable cause of this accident was poor judgment and inexperience on the part of the pilot.

Corrective measures for accidents of this nature exist in the Air Commerce Regulations. The Bureau of Air Commerce wishes to call attention to the regulations violated in this flight.

1.

Flying a licensed aircraft without an airman’s certificate. (The airman’s certificate formerly held by this pilot prohibited his carrying passengers.)

2.

Flying below the minimum prescribed altitude of 500 feet.

3.

Flying after sunset without navigation lights.

Respectfully submitted,

Eugene L Vidal

Director of Air Commerce