La Guardia – Pittsburgh – Knoxville – Birmingham

On January 6, 1946 at 03:59 AM, La Guardia – Pittsburgh – Knoxville – Birmingham experienced a crash involving Douglas DC-3, operated by Pennsylvania Central Air Lines, with the event recorded near Birmingham Alabama.

The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

11 people were known to be on board, 3 fatalities were recorded, 8 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 27.3%.

Crew on board: 4, crew fatalities: 3, passengers on board: 7, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. The approach to runway 18 was completed in marginal weather conditions. On final, the aircraft was well above the glide and with an excessive speed. It landed half way down the runway and after touchdown, was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran, went through a fence and down an embankment before coming to rest with the cockpit crushed on the opposite embankment and partially submerged in a drainage ditch. The aircraft was written off and three crew members, among them both pilots, were killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration NC21786, MSN 4131, year of manufacture 1941.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 33.5207°, -86.8024°.