Douglas DC-3 accident at Lovettsville, United States of America, 31 Aug 1940 (NC21789)
On August 31, 1940, a Douglas DC-3 (registration NC21789) operated by Pennsylvania Central Air Lines was involved in an aviation accident near Lovettsville, United States of America in flight. 25 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Upon the basis of the foregoing findings of probable fact and the exit record in this investigation, CAB finds that the probable cause of the accident was the disabling of the pilots by a severe lightning discharge in the immediate neighborhood of the… 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
Upon the basis of the foregoing findings of probable fact and the exit record in this investigation, CAB finds that the probable cause of the accident was the disabling of the pilots by a severe lightning discharge in the immediate neighborhood of the airplane, with resulting loss of control.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
Twenty minutes after its departure from Washington DC-Hoover Airport, while cruising in poor weather conditions at an altitude of some 4,000 feet, the aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed near Lovettsville. All 25 occupants were killed, among them the Senator of Minnesota Ernest Lundeen. Crew: Lowell V. Scoggins, pilot, J. Paul Moore, copilot, Margaret Carson, flight attendant, John B. Staire, Jr, secretary to the District Traffic Manager. Passengers: Miss Dorothy Beer, Mr. E. G. Bowler, Mr. W. M. Burleson, Mr. W. B. Chambers, Miss Mildred Chesser, Dr. Charles D. C. Cole, Miss Naomi Colpo, Mr. A. H. Elliott, Mr. William Garbose, Miss Evelyn Goldsmith, Mrs. Rose Z. Hale, Mr. Arthur Hollaway, Mr. H. J. Hofferth, Mr. D. P. James, Senator Ernest E. Lundeen, Mr. M. P. Mahan, Mr. Adolph Mook, Mr. Joseph J. Pesci, Miss Chloe Post, Mr. E. J. Tarr, Miss Margaret Tuner.
Probable cause (official findings): Upon the basis of the foregoing findings of probable fact and the exit record in this investigation, CAB finds that the probable cause of the accident was the disabling of the pilots by a severe lightning discharge in the immediate neighborhood of the airplane, with resulting loss of control.