Northeast Flight 792 Accident: Unauthorized Descent in Marginal Weather (N17891)

Flight Details and Departure Sequence Northeast Flight 792 originated at Boston, Massachusetts, with a scheduled destination of Berlin, New Hampshire, and intermediate stops at Concord and Laconia, New Hampshire. The crew consisted of Captain W. P. Carey, First Officer George D. McCormick, Stewardess Mary McEttrick, and Flight Superintendent John C. McNulty. The aircraft departed Boston at 0930, approximately on schedule, under a company clearance to Laconia in Visual Flight Rules. The initial segments between Boston, Concord, and Laconia were routine. The aircraft departed Laconia on schedule at 1039, carrying fuel for approximately four hours, a gross weight well below the maximum allowable, and a center of gravity within prescribed limits. The scheduled arrival time at Berlin was 1112. ## Approach and Loss of Contact Shortly after takeoff from Laconia, the flight requested an Instrument Flight Rules clearance for the 73-mile leg to Berlin. The company dispatcher in Boston approved the request, and the Civil Aeronautics Authority Air Route Traffic Control Center issued the clearance: “Boston ATC clears Northeast Flight 792 for an approach to the Berlin Airport via Blue 63 to cruise 8,000 feet.” At 1103, the flight contacted the company station at Berlin Airport to request local weather. The station agent provided the 1045 observation, reporting an estimated 3,000-foot overcast, visibility of 2-1/2 miles, and light snow showers. The flight acknowledged the transmission but did not report its altitude or position. At 1110, the agent issued a special weather observation: 2,300 feet scattered, 3,900 feet overcast, visibility 2-1/2 miles, light snow showers, wind northwest at 10 knots, and snow showers to the north. These conditions were close to the Berlin minimums of a 2,300-foot ceiling and 2 miles visibility. The flight’s acknowledgment was logged at 1114, though the actual time may have been up to two minutes earlier. No further contact was received. The flight failed to provide a position report for North Conway, a company-required reporting point approximately midway between Laconia and Berlin. At 1125, the company’s Boston station inquired about the flight by teletype. The Berlin operator attempted to contact the flight at 1128 and 1130, the latter including a special weather report suggesting a return to Laconia. No reply was received; the accident had already occurred. The 1130 special weather report indicated an estimated 1,500-foot broken ceiling, 3,000-foot overcast, visibility of 2 miles, light snow, and wind northwest at 10 knots, conditions below Berlin minimums.