At approximately 0947 s. s. t., on December 1, 1959, an Allegheny Airlines Martin 202, N174A, crashed on Bald Eagle Mountain about 13 miles south of the Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Airport. There were 78 passengers and four crew members aboard the plane. Nowadays, when planes crash and people die, there are internet-based support groups, huge litigation possibilities, and seemingly endless streams of social and psychological help available for the victims' families. [2]:32–33, Investigators concluded the evacuation could have been more successful had another steward been aboard the aircraft. The door lock was found in the closed position. He asked the dispatcher to remove the planned refuelling at Groton from the flight itinerary, and asked ground crews at Washington D.C. to add more fuel to the aircraft. UPDATE: Important audio and video files have been made available by the Grover Museum in Shelbyville. The recording ended approximately 2 seconds later. The airplane operated on a flight from Clarksburg-Benedum Airport, WV (CKB) to Washington-National Airport, DC (DCA). "[2]:23–24 Therefore, upon reaching Groton, where the weather was poor,[2]:8–10 Eastridge elected not to divert to an alternate airport or proceed direct to New Haven, but circle overhead until conditions improved. Both aircraft were approaching the same runway but in opposite directions at the time of the crashes. [2]:23–24 About 30 minutes after they began circling above the airport one third of the fuel available for holding had been consumed, and Eastridge approached the airport to attempt a landing. Share. [2]:23–24 The NTSB report noted, "The captain obviously was aware that if he proceeded VFR via the most direct course time could have been saved. [2]:23–24 Prior to take-off from Washington D.C., Eastridge requested an amended flight plan from the Allegheny Airlines flight dispatcher. The Shelby County Historical Society shared photos with us of the original crash site. The flight departed Washington D.C. at 7:14 a.m. on an IFR flight plan. Although such a procedure was not authorized, the captain believed that he could conduct the approach safely. Eastwood decided to cancel his instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan, and elected to fly using visual flight rules (VFR). Investigators found this decision was likely made in case poor weather at the airport forced him to abandon a landing attempt and proceed directly to New Haven. The Board stated they believed "the possibility for a greater number of survivors would have existed had a second cabin attendant been aboard this flight. "[2]:23–24, The NTSB noted that the "Eastridge carried out the first portion of the flight exactly as planned. Of the 47 passengers, 20 were killed. The Allegheny Airlines plane came crashing down into a field, killing everyone on board. It's been more than 40 years, but the events of Sept. 9, 1969, remain etched in the memories of many area residents. The captain responded that he could see the water. Allegheny Airlines DC-9-31, reg. "[2]:6, Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board analysed the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR) for information as to the cause of the accident, and found it was likely Captain Eastridge made several decisions during the course of the flight which indicated the time of the journey was important to him. Classic Airliners & Vintage Pop Culture 22,645 views. The dead: MISS ROBIN PORTER, flying from Detroit to Harrisburg. ALLEGHENY AIRLINES FLIGHT 853 CRASH. The rules required visibility of 1,000 feet up and three miles out for any airport without instrument landing systems.