Narrative:
Flight 142 departed Pittsburgh at 16:41. Eight minutes after takeoff the pilot was given the 16:30 Morgantown weather; Ceiling 1200 feet, visibility 2 miles, light fog. Approximately two minutes later the flight reported its position as over South Brownsville, approximately 27 miles north of Morgantown, at 2500 feet sea level. The pilot at this time was informed of a special Morgantown weather report which indicated a ceiling of 1000 feet and visibility of 1 mile. He was also informed that the Morgantown weather was at the minimum and that it was OK try and land. The captain acknowledged the message and replied that he would "take a look" and advise. Then at 16:56, 15 minutes after takeoff, the pilot was given the Morgantown weather and local traffic information. This was the last contract with the flight.
Beyond South Brownsville the aircraft encountered a continually lowering ceiling and proceeded at or through the irregular base of the cloud deck. Several witnesses observed the aircraft alternately in and out of the ragged overcast over a distance of approximately 20 miles and over the higher terrain east of the regular course. At 16:58 the aircraft crashed near the top of a ridge on the west side of Cheat Mountain at an elevation of about 2100 feet. When the airplane crashed it was seven miles off course and two miles off the airway.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The action of the pilot in continuing flight over mountains terrain under instrument conditions at an altitude below the minimum authorized instrument altitude."
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Saturday 14 April 1945 |
| Time: | 16:58 |
| Type: |  Douglas DC-3-313A |
| Operator: | Pennsylvania-Central Airlines |
| Registration: | NC25692 |
| MSN: | 2262 |
| First flight: | 1940 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 13040 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 17 / Occupants: 17 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 20 / Occupants: 20 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | 11 km (6.9 mls) ENE of Morgantown, WV ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Domestic Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Pittsburgh (unknown airport), PA, United States of America |
| Morgantown Airport, WV (MGW/KMGW), United States of America | |
| Flightnumber: | 142 |
Flight 142 departed Pittsburgh at 16:41. Eight minutes after takeoff the pilot was given the 16:30 Morgantown weather; Ceiling 1200 feet, visibility 2 miles, light fog. Approximately two minutes later the flight reported its position as over South Brownsville, approximately 27 miles north of Morgantown, at 2500 feet sea level. The pilot at this time was informed of a special Morgantown weather report which indicated a ceiling of 1000 feet and visibility of 1 mile. He was also informed that the Morgantown weather was at the minimum and that it was OK try and land. The captain acknowledged the message and replied that he would "take a look" and advise. Then at 16:56, 15 minutes after takeoff, the pilot was given the Morgantown weather and local traffic information. This was the last contract with the flight.
Beyond South Brownsville the aircraft encountered a continually lowering ceiling and proceeded at or through the irregular base of the cloud deck. Several witnesses observed the aircraft alternately in and out of the ragged overcast over a distance of approximately 20 miles and over the higher terrain east of the regular course. At 16:58 the aircraft crashed near the top of a ridge on the west side of Cheat Mountain at an elevation of about 2100 feet. When the airplane crashed it was seven miles off course and two miles off the airway.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The action of the pilot in continuing flight over mountains terrain under instrument conditions at an altitude below the minimum authorized instrument altitude."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) - Mountain
Sources:
» CAB File No. 874-45Photos
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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Douglas DC-3
- ca 13.000 built
- 1782nd loss
- 572nd fatal accident
- 42nd worst accident (at the time)
- 226th worst accident (currently)
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