Investigation Summary
The flight departed Chicago Midway Airport at 18:00 CDT, bound for Des Moines. As the aircraft approached its destination, a storm system was developing in the region. The pilot, Glenn Belz, contacted Des Moines ATC at 20:50 CDT, reporting that he could not see the city due to poor visibility. After receiving a radar position, Belz stated he could see the lights of Newton and decided to land there to refuel and avoid the worsening weather. Witnesses near Newton observed the aircraft emerge from low clouds at approximately 100 feet above the ground before pulling back up into the overcast. Shortly after, the plane reappeared in a steep bank and dive. The Cessna struck an oak tree in a pasture, which sheared off one wing. The fuselage bounced and skidded approximately 250 feet before coming to rest in a creek bed. Investigators noted the aircraft was also low on fuel at the time of the impact.
Final Conclusions
The NTSB investigation (Report MKC70A0008) concluded that the pilot, who was not instrument rated and had limited experience in night or adverse weather conditions, continued VFR flight into weather conditions that exceeded his capabilities. The crash was characterized by a loss of control following an encounter with low clouds during an attempted landing at a diversion airfield.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Crew Experience
Captain
Pilot Glenn Belz was 37 years old and not experienced in night or bad weather flying.
Systems & Failure Modes
VFR Flight Rules
The pilot was operating under Visual Flight Rules, which require maintaining clear sight of the ground and staying out of clouds, a requirement he was unable to meet due to the storm.
Interesting Facts
- 01The crash killed former world heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano the day before his 46th birthday.
- 02The pilot, Glenn Belz, had approximately 231 total flying hours, with only 35 hours at night.
- 03The aircraft struck a lone oak tree, losing a wing before skidding 250 feet into a creek bed.
- 04The flight was a private passenger trip intended for a surprise party in Des Moines.
- 05The aircraft was low on fuel at the time of the accident.
Safety Actions & Advisories
VFR into IMC Awareness
The accident highlighted the extreme danger of non-instrument rated pilots attempting to maintain VFR flight in deteriorating weather conditions (IMC), leading to spatial disorientation and loss of control.
Location
APPROXIMATE POSITION · AIRPORT LEVEL · Coordinates are the estimate published in the wikidata coordinate. The ring shows the accuracy the record supports, not the point of impact.