Martin M.130 accident at Ukiah, United States of America, 21 Jan 1943 (NC14715)
On January 21, 1943, a Martin M.130 (registration NC14715) operated by Pan American World Airways - PAA was involved in an aviation accident near Ukiah, United States of America in flight. 19 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of the captain to determine his position accurately before descending to a dangerously low altitude under extremely poor weather conditions during the hours of darkness. Controlled flight into terrain. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
Probable cause
Failure of the captain to determine his position accurately before descending to a dangerously low altitude under extremely poor weather conditions during the hours of darkness. Controlled flight into terrain.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
At the end of the night, while overflying the Pacific ocean off the Californian coast, the radio navigator contacted San Francisco ATC to inform about an estimated time of arrival at 0710LT, nearly three hours ahead the schedule. Approaching San Francisco from the north, in limited visibility due to the night and poor weather conditions, while at an altitude of 2,500 feet, the seaplane named 'Philippine Clipper' impacted the slope of a mountain located 11 km southwest of Ukiah. Extensive emergency resources were dispatched to the scene where no survivors were found among the 19 occupants. Crew: Robert M. Elzey, pilot, Orvan K. Judd, copilot, John R. Maynard, copilot, George FH, Aabel, copilot, Leo A. Mackota, flight engineer, John J. Eagen, flight engineer, Clarence P. Thompson, radio operator, George W. Angus, radio operator, John G. Hill, steward. Passengers: Robert English, Cpt Robert H. Smith, Cpt Robert E. Thomas, Cpt Donald C. Godwin, Cdr John J. Crane, Cdr Francis L. Black, Cdr William G. Myers, L/Cdr John O. R. Coll, L/Cdr George R. Stone, Lt Edna O. Morrow.
Probable cause (official findings): Failure of the captain to determine his position accurately before descending to a dangerously low altitude under extremely poor weather conditions during the hours of darkness. Controlled flight into terrain.