What happened
On the evening of October 30, 1959, at approximately 20:40, a DC-3, registration N55V, operated by Piedmont Airlines, crashed into Bucks Elbow Mountain. The accident occurred roughly 13 miles west of the Charlottesville-Albemarle County Airport in Virginia. The impact resulted in the destruction of the aircraft and caused 26 fatalities, including all 3 crew members and 23 of the 24 passengers. Only one passenger survived the crash, sustaining serious injuries.
The flight was performing an intended instrument approach at the time of the accident. Specifically, the aircraft was on the inbound portion of a procedure turn when it struck the terrain. The flight path had drifted significantly west of the prescribed maneuvering area during the approach sequence.
Findings
Investigations revealed that the primary cause of the crash was a navigational error. The pilot failed to execute a required 20-degree left turn at the Casanova omni range station to align with the V-140 airway. Because this omission went uncorrected, the crew believed they were over the Rochelle intersection when the aircraft was actually positioned 13 miles northwest of its intended track. This lateral displacement caused the flight path to be 8 to 11 miles west of the designated course.
This navigational discrepancy remained undetected because standard instrument approach and tracking procedures were not strictly maintained. Additionally, investigators noted that mental stress and preoccupation affecting the captain may have contributed to the failure to identify and correct the course deviation.