What happened
A liaison flight departing from Fort Eustis-Felker AAF was en route to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, when the aircraft experienced mechanical difficulties. During the flight, the pilot encountered significant issues with the engine, which led to a loss of control over the aircraft. The plane subsequently crashed into the Potomac River in the vicinity of Coles Point, Virginia. Following the impact, the aircraft submerged in the water. There were five fatalities among the occupants, including the pilot, the co-pilot, and three passengers.
Findings
Investigations into the accident revealed that the engine failure was triggered by an overspeed condition. This malfunction was specifically attributed to a bent stop on the propeller governor, which directly caused the loss of control during the flight.