Douglas DC-3 accident at Chicago-Midway, United States of America, 4 Dec 1940 (NC25678)
On December 4, 1940, a Douglas DC-3 (registration NC25678) operated by United Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Chicago-Midway, United States of America during landing or approach. 10 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Upon the basis of the foregoing findings of fact and upon all the evidence available at this time, investigators find that the probable cause of the accident was the failure of the pilot to exercise that degree of caution and skill required to avert a stall… This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 4 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
Probable cause
Upon the basis of the foregoing findings of fact and upon all the evidence available at this time, investigators find that the probable cause of the accident was the failure of the pilot to exercise that degree of caution and skill required to avert a stall while approaching for a landing on the short northwest runway. A substantial contributing factor to the accident was the error in judgment of captain in choosing that short runway for his landing.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
The airplane departed New York-LaGuardia Airport on a schedule service to Chicago with intermediate stops in Philadelphia, Allentown, Akron and Cleveland, carrying 13 passengers and a crew of three. While descending to Chicago-Midway Airport, the crew encountered marginal weather conditions with clouds and icing. On final approach, at an altitude of 160 feet, the aircraft stalled and crashed short of runway. All three crew members and seven passengers were killed. Crew: Philip Cramer Scott, pilot, George Sumner Young, copilot, Florence Little, stewardess.
Probable cause (official findings): Upon the basis of the foregoing findings of fact and upon all the evidence available at this time, investigators find that the probable cause of the accident was the failure of the pilot to exercise that degree of caution and skill required to avert a stall while approaching for a landing on the short northwest runway. A substantial contributing factor to the accident was the error in judgment of captain in choosing that short runway for his landing.