Investigation Summary
The flight was significantly delayed by mechanical issues in Miami, departing over five hours behind schedule. Upon arrival in Pittsburgh, the crew decided to board 29 Miami-bound passengers for the leg to Buffalo to expedite the return trip. Despite being briefed that weather at stations along the route was below VFR minimums, the captain filed a VFR flight plan to avoid the delays associated with Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) routing and refueling. Ground witnesses reported the aircraft flying exceptionally low in heavy fog, with some able to see into the lighted passenger windows. The investigation revealed that the crew was operating under the mistaken premise, supported by a local CAA office, that the terrain was not mountainous, which led them to fly below the required 2,000-foot clearance for night VFR in mountainous areas. The aircraft struck trees 60 feet above the ground at an elevation of 2,375 feet while in level flight. The impact caused the aircraft to disintegrate over a 933-foot path, with only the tail section remaining intact.
Final Conclusions
The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) determined the probable cause was the captain's poor judgment in attempting a flight by visual reference during instrument weather conditions. The board noted that the flight was conducted below minimum prescribed altitudes for night VFR operations and occurred 11 miles off course in conditions of near-zero ceiling and visibility. The investigation confirmed no mechanical failure occurred, as both engines were developing power at the time of impact.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Crew Experience
Captain
Victor A. Harris
Copilot
Hans E. Rutzebeck
Systems & Failure Modes
Visual Flight Rules (VFR)
A set of regulations under which a pilot operates an aircraft in weather conditions generally clear enough to allow the pilot to see where the aircraft is going. The crew improperly used VFR in IFR conditions.
Pratt & Whitney R-2800-51
The twin radial engines were found to be developing appreciable power at impact, ruling out engine failure.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was a military surplus Curtiss C-46A Commando manufactured in 1944.
- 02All 14 survivors were seated in the aft passenger compartment, which was the only section not destroyed.
- 03The crash occurred at an elevation of 2,375 feet, approximately 100 feet below the ridge crest.
- 04The crew did not obtain a formal weather briefing from the Flight Advisory Weather Service before departing Pittsburgh.
- 05The accident led to new CAB rules requiring night VFR passenger flights to use designated routes with radio communications.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Night VFR Regulation Update
Source ↗On March 10, 1952, the CAB issued a draft regulation requiring that night visual flights for large passenger aircraft be conducted only on designated routes between airports equipped with radio communications.