ASN Aircraft accident Curtiss C-46A-50-CU Commando N3944C Salamanca, NY
ASN logo
 

Status:Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Date:Saturday 29 December 1951
Time:22:25
Type:Silhouette image of generic C46 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different
Curtiss C-46A-50-CU Commando
Operator:Continental Charters
Registration: N3944C
MSN: 30466
First flight: 1944
Engines: 2 Pratt & Whitney R-2800-51
Crew:Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 4
Passengers:Fatalities: 23 / Occupants: 36
Total:Fatalities: 26 / Occupants: 40
Aircraft damage: Damaged beyond repair
Location:near Salamanca, NY (   United States of America)
Phase: En route (ENR)
Nature:Domestic Non Scheduled Passenger
Departure airport:Pittsburgh (unknown airport), PA, United States of America
Destination airport:Buffalo Airport, NY, United States of America
Flightnumber: 44-2
Narrative:
Despite the instrument weather conditions, Flight 44-2 departed Pittsburgh at 21:47 on a VFR flight plan. The crew flew at a low altitude in order to maintain visual reference. Near Little Valley, NY the aircraft flew into a wooded area on a hill, some 15 miles off the direct route to Buffalo.

Probable Cause:

PROBABLE CAUSE: "The captain's poor judgement in attempting a flight by visual reference during instrument weather conditions."

Accident investigation:

cover
Investigating agency: CAB
Status: Investigation completed
Accident number: final report
Download report: Final report

Classification:
VFR flight in IMC
Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) - Mountain

Sources:
» CAB File No. 1-0101


Photos

Add your photo of this accident or aircraft
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: languages

Share

Curtiss C-46

  • 3341 built
  • 747th loss
  • 146th fatal accident
  • 18th worst accident (at the time)
  • 33rd worst accident (currently)
» safety profile

The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:

CONNECT WITH US: FSF on social media FSF Facebook FSF Twitter FSF Youtube FSF LinkedIn FSF Instagram

©2024 Flight Safety Foundation

1920 Ballenger Av, 4th Fl.
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
www.FlightSafety.org