Narrative:Flight 63 originated at and left Cleveland about 17:42.The flight was cleared to Memphis with intermediate stops scheduled at Columbus, Dayton, Cincinnati, Louisville and Nashville. The DC-3, named "Flagship Ohio", arrived at Louisville at 21:42. It was refueled and cleared to take off at 21:54 to fly at 2500 feet to Smiths Grove, Kentucky at 2500 feet and continue to Nashville at 2000 feet with estimated time of arrival at Nashville of 22:54. Near Smiths Grove, in an area with rolling terrain, varying in altitude from 695 to 720 feet above sea level, the plane descended until it contacted trees. The airplane continued through another small clump of trees, then across an open field and stopped in an upright position among several larger trees, about 1000 feet beyond the point of first impact.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "Loss of control of the aircraft due to unusually severe turbulence and violent downdraft caused by a thunderstorm of unknown and unpredictable intensity."
Accident investigation:
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Investigating agency: | CAB |
Status: | Investigation completed |
Duration: | 269 days (9 months) | Accident number: | File No. 3525-43 | Download report: | Final report
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Classification:
Windshear/downdraft
Loss of control
Sources:
» CAB File No. 3525-43
Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does
not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Louisville-Bowman Field, KY to Nashville Metropolitan Airport, TN as the crow flies is 249 km (156 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
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.