Flight Details
The Curtiss aircraft was operating a civil air movement transporting military personnel from Louisville, Kentucky, to McGuire Air Force Base (AFB) in New Jersey. The flight encountered weather conditions that required the use of deicing and anti-icing systems.
Icing Conditions
En route, in the Elkins-Charleston area, light to moderate icing was reported. The crew applied wing deicers and propeller anti-icers. Shortly after passing Baltimore, similar weather conditions were encountered, necessitating a power setting of 2400 rpm and 38 inches of manifold pressure.
The aircraft subsequently lost altitude, prompting the crew to apply maximum except take-off (METO) power: 2600 rpm and 45 inches of manifold pressure.
Approach and Crash
During the final ground-controlled approach (GCA) to McGuire AFB, the aircraft stalled and crash-landed approximately 1200 feet short of the runway threshold. On impact, both engines were sheared off.
Probable Cause
The official investigation identified the probable cause as the crew's failure to maintain an accurate log of the flight with respect to flight planning, fuel consumption, and fuel requirements.