NC9611

On the evening of Friday 19DEC1930, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions and low visibility due to blizzard. He completed an emergency landing in an open field located near Jennerstown, Pennsylvania. The aircraft passed the night in the field and on Saturday morning 20DEC1930, the pilot started all three engines to re-position the aircraft to its base. Shortly after takeoff from the field, at a height of about 10 feet, the right engine failed. The pilot elected to gain height but due to an insufficient speed, the aircraft did not get enough altitude and impacted trees with its right wing. The airplane stalled and crashed on the ground. The pilot evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Flight / Schedule

NC9611

Aircraft

Ford 4

Registration

NC9611

MSN

4-AT-054

Year of Manufacture

1929

Date

December 20, 1930 at 12:00 AM

Type

CRASH

Flight Type

Ferry

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Plain, Valley

Crash Location

Jennerstown Pennsylvania

Region

North America • United States of America

Coordinates

40.1598°, -79.0664°

Crash Cause

Technical failure

Narrative Report

On December 20, 1930 at 12:00 AM, NC9611 experienced a crash involving Ford 4, operated by Pittsburgh Airways, with the event recorded near Jennerstown Pennsylvania.

The flight was categorized as ferry and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a plain, valley crash site.

1 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 1 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.

Crew on board: 1, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. On the evening of Friday 19DEC1930, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions and low visibility due to blizzard. He completed an emergency landing in an open field located near Jennerstown, Pennsylvania. The aircraft passed the night in the field and on Saturday morning 20DEC1930, the pilot started all three engines to re-position the aircraft to its base. Shortly after takeoff from the field, at a height of about 10 feet, the right engine failed. The pilot elected to gain height but due to an insufficient speed, the aircraft did not get enough altitude and impacted trees with its right wing. The airplane stalled and crashed on the ground. The pilot evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Aircraft reference details include registration NC9611, MSN 4-AT-054, year of manufacture 1929.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 40.1598°, -79.0664°.

Fatalities

Total

0

Crew

0

Passengers

0

Other

0

Crash Summary

On the evening of Friday 19DEC1930, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions and low visibility due to blizzard. He completed an emergency landing in an open field located near Jennerstown, Pennsylvania. The aircraft passed the night in the field and on Saturday morning 20DEC1930, the pilot started all three engines to re-position the aircraft to its base. Shortly after takeoff from the field, at a height of about 10 feet, the right engine failed. The pilot elected to gain height but due to an insufficient speed, the aircraft did not get enough altitude and impacted trees with its right wing. The airplane stalled and crashed on the ground. The pilot evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Cause: Technical failure

Occupants & Outcome

Crew On Board

1

Passengers On Board

0

Estimated Survivors

1

Fatality Rate

0.0%

Known people on board: 1

Operational Details

Flight Type

Ferry

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Plain, Valley

Region / Country

North America • United States of America

Aircraft Details

Aircraft

Ford 4

Registration

NC9611

MSN

4-AT-054

Year of Manufacture

1929