Portland Airport, Maine – March 13, 1973
On March 12, 1973, two men , both pilots for the Glen Falls, N.Y. division of the International Paper Company, flew a Beechcraft King Aire aircraft from upstate New York to Portland, Maine, and arrived safely at Portland Airport. The purpose of the flight was for one of the pilots to take an FAA examination the following morning to obtain an additional rating on is commercial pilot’s license.
The following day the men met an FAA Inspector at Portland Airport who was to administer the exam. After taking part of the exam on the ground, the three men climbed aboard the King Aire for the practical portion of the test, with the pilot taking the exam at the controls.
Part of the exam included touch-and-go landings, and as the aircraft was approaching Runway 36, it suddenly crashed and burned. It was later determined by FAA investigators that the pilot was executing an “emergency maneuver” at the time of the accident.
The pilot taking the test, and the FAA Inspector were killed in the crash. The third man received non-life-threatening injuries.
Sources:
Providence Journal, “Plane Crash Kills Two In Maine”, March 13, 1973
Providence Journal, “Maine crash Kills Pilot, FAA Inspector”, March 14, 1973. (with photo of crash.)
Providence Journal. “Ill Fated Plane Was Executing Emergency Step”, March 15, 1973