Page:CAB Accident Report, 1963 Purdue Aeronautics Corporation crash.pdf/1

 File No. 1—0017

A Purdue Aeronautics Corporation Douglas DC-3, N386T crashed during an instrument approach to the Municipal Airport at Morgantown, West Virginia, 110 c.s.t., November 29, 1963.

The stewardess received fatal injuries in the accident. The pilot and the copilot were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair by the crash.

The aircraft was being ferried to Morgantown in preparation for a charter flight, and there were no passengers aboard.

The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the pilot's execution of an instrument approach in an aircraft not equipped with the navigational instrumentation appropriate to the ground facilities being used.

Accident

A Purdue Aeronautics Corporation, Douglas DC-3, N386T crashed while making an instrument approach to the Morgantown Municipal Airport, Morgantown, West Virginia. The accident occurred 2.5 nautical miles from the Morgantown VOR on the 340° radial at 1110 c.s.t. November 29, 1963. The stewardess was fatally injured in the accident but the captain and first officer escaped with minor injuries. There were no other persons aboard the aircraft. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair by the impact and post impact fire. N386T was being ferried to Morgantown in preparation for a charter flight.

History of Flight

The aircraft was given a preflight inspection by the Chief Inspector, Purdue Aeronautics Corporation, on the morning of the flight. No discrepancies were noted and no maintenance was required or performed. Additionally, the aircraft was given a visual inspection by the captain and the first officer before the flight and no discrepancies were noted. This later inspection included a fuel check which showed 794 gallons of fuel aboard.

On the evening of November 28, 1963, the first officer inspected the contents of the navigation kits and prepared the flight plan. His flight plan was reviewed