Investigation Summary
Flight 285 was operating a multi-stop route from Boston to New York. The flight was running approximately 50 minutes behind schedule due to poor weather and a previous missed approach at Martha's Vineyard. Upon reaching New Bedford, the weather was reported as an indefinite 200-foot ceiling with one mile visibility in fog. During the final approach to Runway 5, the crew reported passing the outer marker, but the aircraft never appeared to the tower controller. The DC-3 cut a 400 to 600-foot path through trees and brush, striking the first trees nearly 190 feet below the glide path centerline and 165 feet to the right of the localizer course. The impact tore off the wings and broke the fuselage into two sections in the Apponagansett Swamp. Rescuers, including local clergy and airport staff, had to navigate waist-deep mire and dense undergrowth to reach the wreckage. Two passengers, Gerald Bland and 14-year-old Nancy Blair, were credited with saving lives by extinguishing a small fire and providing first aid before professional rescuers arrived nearly two hours later.
Final Conclusions
The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) concluded that the probable cause was a premature descent by the pilot in the approach area without adherence to the instrument landing system (ILS) dictated by existing weather conditions. The investigation found no evidence of mechanical failure, engine malfunction, or structural fatigue. The crew's attempt to transition to a visual approach in conditions of obscuration and fog resulted in a loss of vertical situational awareness, causing the aircraft to fly at a dangerously low altitude until it struck trees.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Crew Experience
Captain
Vincent L. Pitts. Fatally injured.
First Officer
Roger W. Sweetland (Reserve Captain). Fatally injured.
Systems & Failure Modes
Instrument Landing System (ILS)
A radio navigation system that provides short-range guidance to aircraft to allow them to approach a runway at night or in bad weather. The investigation found the crew failed to adhere to the ILS glide path.
Localizer
The component of the ILS that provides lateral guidance to the runway centerline. The aircraft was found to be 165 feet right of this centerline at impact.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was flying 189 feet below the glide path and 165 feet right of the localizer at the time of the first tree strike.
- 02The crash site was located in the Apponagansett Swamp, approximately 4,000 feet short of the runway threshold.
- 03Two passengers prevented a post-crash fire by extinguishing a small blaze near leaking fuel.
- 04The weather at the time of the crash included a 200-foot ceiling and visibility of one-half to one mile in fog.
- 05Both pilots were killed, while the stewardess and 11 passengers survived with serious injuries.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Approach Adherence Reinforcement
The investigation emphasized the necessity of strict adherence to ILS procedures during low-visibility conditions until visual contact with the runway environment is positively established.
Location
ACCIDENT SITE · Coordinates taken from the wikidata coordinate.