Narrative:
At least two attempts to land had failed as the aircraft approached too high in minimum ceiling conditions. The pilot tried to maneuver the aircraft to another runway at a low altitude. The wing struck the ground and the DC-4 skidded for 700 feet. The aircraft was named "Mainliner Lake Michigan".
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was a loss of altitude during a turn preparatory to a final approach while the pilot was manoeuvring in an attempt to land."
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Tuesday 8 October 1946 |
| Time: | 04:33 |
| Type: |  Douglas DC-4 |
| Operator: | United Airlines |
| Registration: | NC30051 |
| MSN: | 10471 |
| First flight: | 1944 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 3077 |
| Engines: | 4 Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 4 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 37 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 41 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | 2,4 km (1.5 mls) NW of Cheyenne Airport, WY (CYS) ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Approach (APR) |
| Nature: | Domestic Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | San Francisco Municipal Airport, CA (SFO/KSFO), United States of America |
| Cheyenne Airport, WY (CYS/KCYS), United States of America | |
| Flightnumber: | 28 |
At least two attempts to land had failed as the aircraft approached too high in minimum ceiling conditions. The pilot tried to maneuver the aircraft to another runway at a low altitude. The wing struck the ground and the DC-4 skidded for 700 feet. The aircraft was named "Mainliner Lake Michigan".
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was a loss of altitude during a turn preparatory to a final approach while the pilot was manoeuvring in an attempt to land."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) - Ground
Sources:
» CAB File No. 4048-46Photos
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 San Francisco Municipal Airport, CA to Cheyenne Airport, WY as the crow flies is 1546 km (966 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
Distance from San Francisco Municipal Airport, CA to Cheyenne Airport, WY as the crow flies is 1546 km (966 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.
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