Narrative:
The crew made an unauthorized deviation from the airway, trying to reduce distance on a 'dog-leg' of the airway. The DC-3 collided with Elk Mountain 340 feet below the crest, at an elevation approximately 180 feet below its assigned cruising altitude (11,000 feet) and 4 1/2 miles south of Airway Green 3.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The deviation from the prescribed route at an altitude insufficient to assure adequate clearance over Elk Mountain."
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Thursday 31 January 1946 |
| Time: | 02:47 |
| Type: |  Douglas DC-3-194H |
| Operator: | United Airlines |
| Registration: | NC25675 |
| MSN: | 2147 |
| First flight: | 1939 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 16333 |
| Engines: | 2 Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 18 / Occupants: 18 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 21 / Occupants: 21 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | Elk Mountain, WY ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Domestic Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Boise Air Terminal, ID (BOI/KBOI), United States of America |
| Denver (unknown airport), CO, United States of America | |
| Flightnumber: | 14 |
The crew made an unauthorized deviation from the airway, trying to reduce distance on a 'dog-leg' of the airway. The DC-3 collided with Elk Mountain 340 feet below the crest, at an elevation approximately 180 feet below its assigned cruising altitude (11,000 feet) and 4 1/2 miles south of Airway Green 3.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The deviation from the prescribed route at an altitude insufficient to assure adequate clearance over Elk Mountain."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) - Mountain
Sources:
» CAB File No. 257-46Photos
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
- 2257th loss
- 708th fatal accident
- 55th worst accident (at the time)
- 203rd 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