Estado:	Final
Fecha:	13 NOV 1946
Hora:	03:41
Tipo:	Douglas C-53D-DO (DC-3)
Operador:	Western Air Lines
Registración:	NC18645
Numéro de série:	11662
Año de Construcción:	1943
Horas Totales de la Célula:	6229
Motores:	2 Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92
Tripulación:	Fatalidades: 3 / Ocupantes: 3
Pasajeros:	Fatalidades: 8 / Ocupantes: 8
Total:	Fatalidades: 11 / Ocupantes: 11
Daños en la Aeronave:	Anulado
Consecuencias:	Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Ubicación:	22,5 km (14.1 milles) S of Lebec, CA (Estados Unidos de América)
Fase:	En ruta (ENR)
Naturaleza:	Vuelo Doméstico Programado
Aeropuerto de Salida:	Las Vegas Airport, NV, Estados Unidos de América
Aeropuerto de Llegada:	Hollywood-Lockheed Air Terminal, CA (BUR/KBUR), Estados Unidos de América
Número de Vuelo:	23

Descripción:
The flight departed Las Vegas for Burbank at 01:50 on an instrument flight plan to cruise at 10.000 feet. Near Burbank the flight deviated off airways and the let down was started over mountainous terrain. While descending through 5900 feet, the DC-3 flew into the northern slope of White Mountain approximately 75 feet from the crest, 10 miles west of the airway.

PROBABLE CAUSE: "The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the action of the pilot in making an instrument letdown without previously establishing a positive radio fix. This action was aggravated by conditions of severe static, wind in excess of anticipated velocities, preoccupation with an unusual amount of radio conversation, and the inoperative Newhall radio range."

Fuentes:
» CAB File No. 5413-46
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