Narrative:
Capital Airlines Flight 19 was flying between Norfolk, VA, and Milwaukee, WI, with scheduled stops en route. At Detroit a routine crew change was made and the flight continued to Muskegon, MI. At 16:34, Flight 19 departed from Muskegon and was cleared VFR to Milwaukee. The weather en route and at Milwaukee was reported as clear with 15 miles visibility. Over Lake Michigan, approximately six miles east of Milwaukee, the crew contacted Milwaukee Tower and was advised the wind was south-southeast eight to ten miles per hour and that the runway in use was Number 13. At this time the aircraft was descending from its cruising altitude of 4,000 feet at an indicated air speed of 160 miles per hour. A Cessna 140 (N3198N) took off from Maitland Airport at approximately 17:00. The aircraft was seen to climb and circle the airport in a left-hand traffic pattern. The DC-3 was observed while descending to approach Maitland Airport from the east and to fly over the field in a shallow left turn toward the southwest. At the same time, the Cessna was also observed to be making a climbing left turn near the southwest boundary of the airport. Neither aircraft altered its course and they collided. The Cessna received major damage and immediately fell to the ground and was destroyed by impact. Although the DC-3 received major damage flight was continued to the General Mitchell Airport where a safe landing was made.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The failure of the pilots in the DC-3 to observe and avoid the Cessna aircraft in flight."
Forced landing on runway
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Sunday 7 August 1949 |
| Time: | 17:09 |
| Type: |  Douglas DC-3A |
| Operator: | Capital Airlines |
| Registration: | NC45379 |
| MSN: | 11776 |
| First flight: | 1943 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 12617 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 20 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 23 |
| Collision casualties: | Fatalities: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Aircraft fate: | Repaired |
| Location: | Milwaukee, WI ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Approach (APR) |
| Nature: | Domestic Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Muskegon Airport, MI (MKG/KMKG), United States of America |
| Milwaukee-General Mitchell Airport, WI (MKE/KMKE), United States of America | |
| Flightnumber: | 19 |
Capital Airlines Flight 19 was flying between Norfolk, VA, and Milwaukee, WI, with scheduled stops en route. At Detroit a routine crew change was made and the flight continued to Muskegon, MI. At 16:34, Flight 19 departed from Muskegon and was cleared VFR to Milwaukee. The weather en route and at Milwaukee was reported as clear with 15 miles visibility. Over Lake Michigan, approximately six miles east of Milwaukee, the crew contacted Milwaukee Tower and was advised the wind was south-southeast eight to ten miles per hour and that the runway in use was Number 13. At this time the aircraft was descending from its cruising altitude of 4,000 feet at an indicated air speed of 160 miles per hour. A Cessna 140 (N3198N) took off from Maitland Airport at approximately 17:00. The aircraft was seen to climb and circle the airport in a left-hand traffic pattern. The DC-3 was observed while descending to approach Maitland Airport from the east and to fly over the field in a shallow left turn toward the southwest. At the same time, the Cessna was also observed to be making a climbing left turn near the southwest boundary of the airport. Neither aircraft altered its course and they collided. The Cessna received major damage and immediately fell to the ground and was destroyed by impact. Although the DC-3 received major damage flight was continued to the General Mitchell Airport where a safe landing was made.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The failure of the pilots in the DC-3 to observe and avoid the Cessna aircraft in flight."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
Mid air collisionForced landing on runway
Sources:
» CAB File No. 1-0077Photos
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 Muskegon Airport, MI to Milwaukee-General Mitchell Airport, WI as the crow flies is 136 km (85 miles).
Distance from Muskegon Airport, MI to Milwaukee-General Mitchell Airport, WI as the crow flies is 136 km (85 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.
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