Douglas DC-3 N1FN

Summary

On 19 May 1990 at about 15:30 local time, a Douglas DC-3 registered N1FN was involved in an accident near Capon Bridge, West Virginia, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

19 May 1990 at 15:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Capon Bridge, West Virginia, United States

Coordinates

39.2796, -78.4694

Aircraft

Douglas DC-3

Registration

N1FN

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Martinsburg → Winchester

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

BFO90FA046

2 people died.

INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOTS OF THE DC-3, WHICH RESULTED IN THEIR FAILURE TO SEE-AND-AVOID THE POWERLINES. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE OBSTRUCTION (TRANSMISSION WIRES), AND THE LACK OF VISUAL CUES FOR THE PILOTS.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

WHILE SPRAYING GYPSY MOTHES WITH DIMILIN OVER WOODED/HILLY TERRAIN, THE DC-3 COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES IN A VALLEY AREA. WITNESSES IN AN NEARBY OBSERVATION AIRCRAFT REPORTED THE DC-3 ENTERED A GRADUAL CLIMB, WHICH CONTINUED UNTIL THE DC-3 WAS IN A STEEP NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE. THE PILOT OF THE OBSERVATION AIRCRAFT TRIED TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE DC-3 PILOTS, BUT COULD NOT MAKE RADIO CONTACT. THE OBSERVATION PILOT REPORTED THE DC-3 ENTERED A STALL/SPIN AT ABOUT 1200 FT AGL, THEN CRASHED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT FAILURE. THE DC-3 WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A WIRE CUTTER KIT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.