Investigation Summary
The flight departed Atlanta at 09:10 EDT under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) for a business trip to Martinsville. As the aircraft progressed northeast, weather conditions worsened significantly. Witnesses in Galax, Virginia, reported the aircraft flying in circles at approximately 150 feet above ground level, appearing to search for a landing site and even attempting to land on a four-lane highway. The pilot eventually contacted Roanoke Flight Service Station at 11:49, requesting a weather report and stating an intention to land at Woodrum Airport. Despite being advised that mountain ridges were obscured and visibility was only 3 miles in rain and fog, the pilot did not declare an emergency or report his exact position. The aircraft flew past its original destination and into the Catawba mountain range, where it struck the west side of Brush Mountain. The wreckage was not located for three days due to the remote, steep terrain and persistent poor weather.
Final Conclusions
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued its final report on June 15, 1972, determining the probable cause was the pilot's attempt to continue visual flight into adverse weather conditions at an altitude too low to clear mountainous terrain. The NTSB also noted that the pilot attempted to operate in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) that were beyond his operational capabilities and experience level, specifically citing his lack of an instrument rating and limited time (6 hours) in the Aero Commander 680 type.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Crew Experience
Captain
Herman Butler, held private pilot license with multiengine land rating; not IFR rated.
Systems & Failure Modes
VORTAC
The aircraft was flying on a heading of 100 degrees toward the Roanoke VORTAC navigation beacon at the time of impact.
Lycoming GSO-480-B1A6
The aircraft was powered by two 340-horsepower supercharged engines.
Interesting Facts
- 01The crash killed Audie Murphy, the most decorated American soldier of World War II.
- 02The pilot had 8,000 total flight hours but only 6 hours of experience in the Aero Commander 680.
- 03The pilot was not rated for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR).
- 04The aircraft impacted the mountain in a level attitude at high speed, indicating the pilot was likely unaware of the proximity to terrain.
- 05A post-crash fire destroyed the aircraft and badly burned three of the occupants.
Safety Actions & Advisories
VFR into IMC Awareness
Source ↗The NTSB emphasized the dangers of non-instrument rated pilots attempting to continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), particularly in mountainous terrain where ridges may be obscured by low ceilings and fog.
Known Controversies & Unanswered Questions
Murphy Family Negligence Lawsuit
Reference ↗In December 1971, Audie Murphy's widow and sons filed a $10 million lawsuit alleging negligence in the operation and maintenance of the aircraft. In 1975, a jury awarded the family $2.5 million in damages, finding the aircraft's owner, Colorado Aviation Co., liable.