Douglas DC-3 accident at Morgantown, United States of America, 14 Apr 1945 (NC25692)
On April 14, 1945, a Douglas DC-3 (registration NC25692) operated by Pennsylvania Central Air Lines was involved in an aviation accident near Morgantown, United States of America during landing or approach. 20 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: On the basis of the foregoing the Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the action of the pilot in continuing flight over mountains terrain under instrument conditions at an altitude below the minimum authorized instrument altitude. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
Probable cause
On the basis of the foregoing the Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the action of the pilot in continuing flight over mountains terrain under instrument conditions at an altitude below the minimum authorized instrument altitude.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
Enroute, the crew was informed several times about weather conditions at destination with low ceiling at 1,000 feet and low visibility, max one mile. While approaching Morgantown at an altitude of 2,100 feet in clouds, the aircraft hit the west slope of Mt Cheat located 7 miles northeast of Morgantown. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all 20 occupants were killed. Crew: Harold Houston Jones, pilot, William Thomas Repack, copilot, Marion Grace Adams, hostess.
Probable cause (official findings): On the basis of the foregoing the Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the action of the pilot in continuing flight over mountains terrain under instrument conditions at an altitude below the minimum authorized instrument altitude.