Status:	Final
Date:	02 DEC 1978
Time:	13:13
Type:	Douglas C-47A-20-DK
Operator:	SMB Stage Line
Registration:	N41447
C/n / msn:	12987
First flight:	1944
Engines:	2 Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92
Crew:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Passengers:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0
Total:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Airplane damage:	Written off
Airplane fate:	Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location:	Des Moines, IA (United States of America)
Phase:	Approach (APR)
Nature:	Cargo
Departure airport:	Chicago (unknown airport), IL, United States of America
Destination airport:	Des Moines Airport, IA (DSM/KDSM), United States of America

Narrative:
The DC-3 struck the upslope of an embankment, 300 feet short of the runway 03 threshold. Windshield icing restricted the visibility of both pilots.

PROBABLE CAUSE:
pilot in command - misjudged distance and altitude
FACTORS:
miscellaneous acts,conditions - airframe ice
miscellaneous acts,conditions - ice-windshield
weather - icing conditions-includes sleet,freezing rain,etc.

Sources:
» NTSB