Narrative:
The aircraft had departed Savannah at 00:41 for a flight to Raleigh. Weather at Raleigh was below minima, so the crew were re-cleared for Washington. No acknowledgement of the message was received. At 02:05, a radio transmission from Flight 42 was intercepted in which it was indicated that the pilot intended to return to Florence and that he desired clearance to land at Florence Army Air Field. It was found out that a fire in the rear had forced the crew to divert. Because of the fire, the passengers moved to the front of the plane. The right elevator caught fire as well, rendering longitudinal control very difficult and probably made the collision with the first of the trees unavoidable. The aircraft crashed in a swampy, wooded area.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "Fire of undetermined genesis in the rear cargo compartment or lavatory which resulted in the inability of the pilot to maintain altitude long enough to effect a landing."
Loss of control
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Friday 7 September 1945 |
| Time: | 02:13 |
| Type: |  Douglas DC-3-201G |
| Operator: | Eastern Air Lines |
| Registration: | NC33631 |
| MSN: | 4137 |
| First flight: | 1941 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 17532 |
| Engines: | 2 Wright R-1820-G202A |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 19 / Occupants: 19 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 22 / Occupants: 22 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | 10 km (6.3 mls) ENE of Florence, SC ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Domestic Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Savannah International Airport, GA (SAV/KSAV), United States of America |
| Raleigh/Durham Airport, NC (RDU/KRDU), United States of America | |
| Flightnumber: | EA42 |
The aircraft had departed Savannah at 00:41 for a flight to Raleigh. Weather at Raleigh was below minima, so the crew were re-cleared for Washington. No acknowledgement of the message was received. At 02:05, a radio transmission from Flight 42 was intercepted in which it was indicated that the pilot intended to return to Florence and that he desired clearance to land at Florence Army Air Field. It was found out that a fire in the rear had forced the crew to divert. Because of the fire, the passengers moved to the front of the plane. The right elevator caught fire as well, rendering longitudinal control very difficult and probably made the collision with the first of the trees unavoidable. The aircraft crashed in a swampy, wooded area.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "Fire of undetermined genesis in the rear cargo compartment or lavatory which resulted in the inability of the pilot to maintain altitude long enough to effect a landing."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
Inflight fire Loss of control
Sources:
» CAB File No. 2970-45Photos
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 Savannah International Airport, GA to Raleigh/Durham Airport, NC as the crow flies is 470 km (293 miles).
Distance from Savannah International Airport, GA to Raleigh/Durham Airport, NC as the crow flies is 470 km (293 miles).
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.
languages: 
Share
Douglas DC-3
- ca 13.000 built
- 2085th loss
- 644th fatal accident
- 35th worst accident (at the time)
- 177th worst accident (currently)
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2023 Flight Safety Foundation