Investigation Summary
Flight 105 was a multi-stop service from New York to Birmingham. The flight encountered significant delays and difficulties due to abnormally high headwinds and active thunderstorms across the Southern United States. By the time the aircraft reached Birmingham, it was nearly three hours behind schedule. Although cleared for a straight-in approach to Runway 18, the crew opted for a normal arrival pattern. During the final descent, tower personnel observed the aircraft in a shallow descent that steepened sharply near the threshold. The DC-3 remained airborne over a significant portion of the runway, finally touching down at the intersection with the east-west runway. Post-crash investigation revealed the wing flaps were in the 'up' position and fully retracted. Furthermore, the flight attendant noted the 'No Smoking' light—which was linked to the landing gear control—cycled off and then back on during the approach, suggesting the landing gear handle had been moved to the 'up' position and then returned to 'down' during the final descent. With insufficient distance to stop, the pilot attempted a left-hand ground loop to avoid obstacles. The aircraft's right wheel dropped over a 12-foot bank into Village Creek, causing the right wing to strike rocks and the fuselage to spin into the opposite bank. The cockpit was crushed by the impact, while the passenger section was suspended over the water.
Final Conclusions
The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) issued its final report on June 17, 1946. The board determined the probable cause was the pilot's decision to commit to a landing from an approach that was too high and too fast. Contributing factors included the mental and physical fatigue of the crew resulting from a long-duration flight through continuous adverse weather and the late-night operating hours.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Systems & Failure Modes
Instrument Approach
The crew was attempting an instrument approach to Runway 18 due to marginal weather conditions and darkness.
Landing Gear
The right main gear dropped off a 12-foot creek bank during an attempted ground loop, causing the aircraft to spin and strike the opposite bank.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was a Douglas DC-3-393, registration NC21786.
- 02All three occupants of the cockpit (Captain, First Officer, and a Check Airman) were killed.
- 03The flight attendant, Betty Proctor, was praised for ensuring all passengers were buckled and for providing first aid after the crash.
- 04The crash site was Village Creek, which was swollen due to a severe weather outbreak that had caused flooding in the region.
- 05A physical altercation occurred at the crash site between airline employees and newspaper photographers attempting to document the scene.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Fatigue and Weather Awareness
The investigation highlighted the role of mental and physical fatigue in decision-making, particularly during long-duration flights in adverse weather. The CAB emphasized the need for pilots to adhere to stabilized approach criteria and to execute a missed approach if a landing cannot be made within the first third of the runway.
Known Controversies & Unanswered Questions
Crash Site Altercation
Reference ↗Three PCA employees threatened photographers from the Birmingham News to prevent them from taking photos of the wreckage, leading to the arrest of a PCA mechanic and a public investigation into the conduct of responding police officers.