1970 — Nov 14, Southern Air 932 (Marshall Univ.), approach crash/fire, Huntington, WV-75

–75 Airdisaster.com. Accident Database. “Accident Synopsis 11141970.”
–75 Aviation Safety Network. Southern Airways Flight 932, 14 Nov 1970, Huntington, WV.
–75 NationMaster.com, Encyclopedia, List of Notable Accidents and Incidents Com. Aircraft.
–75 NTSB. Southern Airways…Huntington, WV, Nov 14, 1970. NTSB, April 14, 1972.

Narrative Information
NTSB Synopsis:

“Southern Airways, Inc., DC-9, N97S, operating as charter Flight 932, crashed during a landing attempt at the Tri-State Airport, Huntington, West Virginia, at approximately 1936 e. s. t., on November 14, 1970. All 75 occupants, including 71 passengers and four crewmembers, were fatally injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

“The flight, chartered to transport the Marshall University football team and boosters from Kinston, North Carolina, to Huntington, West Virginia, was attempting a nonprecision instrument landing approach to Runway 11 at the time of the accident. The crash occurred following impact with trees on a hill approximately 1 mile west of the runway threshold. The elevation of the broken trees at the initial impact site was approximately 922 feet m. s. l.

“The Minimum Descent Altitude, below which descent is not authorized until the runway environment is in sight, for this instrument approach was 1,240 feet m.s.l.

“The weather at the time of the accident was: 300 feet scattered, estimated 500 feet variable broken, 1,100 feet overcast, visibility five miles, light rain, fog, smoke, wind 360° at 4 knots, altimeter setting 29.67, ceiling ragged and variable 400 to 600 feet.

“The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the descent below Minimum Descent Altitude during a nonprecision approach under adverse operating conditions, without visual contact with the runway environment. The Board has been unable to determine the reason for this descent, although the two most likely explanations are (a) improper use of cockpit instrumen¬tation data, or (b) an altimetry system error.” (NTSB 1972, 1-2.)

“Recommendations The Board recommends that:

• All segments of the aviation industry continue to focus attention on the unique demands for crew coordination and vigilance during nonprecision approaches. Particu¬lar emphasis should be placed on the accelerated develop¬ment of area navigation systems with vertical guidance capability and on heads-up display systems.

• The Administrator evaluate the need for the installation and use of ground proximity warning devices on air carrier aircraft.

• The FAA continue to emphasize the importance of the provisions of Part 121.445 in its surveillance and inspection of flight operations under Part 121. Such emphasis is needed to assure that these operators are (1) using the best means available to enable pilots to qualify under 121.445, and (2) requiring pilots to show that they have acquired the requisite knowledge prior to completion of a flight release.” (NTSB 1972, 2)

History of the Flight …. At 1934, the crew reported passing the outer marker inbound, and they were cleared to land. The wind was then reported as 340°, 7 knots. Following a discussion of the approach lighting during which the crew requested “step three,” the tower controller stated, “Roger, that’s where they are…Advise when you want them cut.” The crew’s response, “Very good,” was the last transmission received. At approximately 1936, tower personnel observed a red glow west of the airport. When no response to subsequent radio calls was received, the tower controller initiated the emergency procedures.

“Witnesses in the vicinity of the Runway 11 localizer course generally agreed that the aircraft was low, but otherwise appeared normal. The weather was described as varying between mist and light rain with low clouds. Some witnesses also indicated that visibility was restricted due to fog. However, one witness who was approximately two-thirds of a mile west of the initial impact site observed the aircraft pass approximately 300 feet above him and disappear from view beyond the hill. He saw the hill outlined in “good detail” by a glow from beyond the hill, and heard an increase in jet engine noise prior to the crash. Another witness, who was approximately 700 feet east of the initial impact, stated that the aircraft rolled to the right, almost inverted, and crashed in a steep, nosedown angle….” (NTSB 1972, 4)

“Meteorological Information …. “The official surface weather observations for Huntington bracketing the time of the accident were as follows:

1855, 300 feet scattered, measured 500 feet variable broken, 1,100 feet overcast, 5 miles, light rain, fog, smoke, temperature 49°, dewpoint 47°, wind 360°, 4 knots, 29.67, ceiling ragged and variable 400 to 600 feet.

1945, 300 feet scattered, estimated 500 feet broken, 1,000 feet overcast, 5 miles, light rain, fog, smoke, temperature 49°, dewpoint 47°, wind 210°, 4 knots, 2,9.67, ceiling ragged, aircraft accident.

1956, record special, partial obscuration, estimated 500 overcast, 3/4-mile very light rain, fog, smoke, temperature 49°, dewpoint 47°, wind 290°, 5 knots, 29.67, fog obscuring 5/10 of the sky, ceiling ragged, intermittent very light rain.

“The National Weather Service specialist who made the observations testified that “. . I thought the visibility was remarkably good when I took my local (the 1945 observation), but about 10 or 15 minutes after that the fog formed very rapidly, and that’s when the visibility came down. . . it was right over the field. It just seemed like it formed very rapidly and it just actually sank right over the whole field.”” (NTSB 1972, 7.)

“A severe ground fire at the main wreckage site followed impact.” (NTSB 1972, 12.)

Sources

Airdisaster.com. Accident Database. “Accident Synopsis 11141970.” Site no longer operates.

Aviation Safety Network. Accident Description. Southern Airways Flight 932, 14 Nov 1970, Huntington, WV. Accessed at: http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19701114-0

National Transportation Safety Board. Aircraft Accident Report. Southern Airways, Inc. DC-9, N97S, Tri-State Airport, Huntington, West Virginia, November 14, 1970 (NTSB-AAR-72-11). Wash, DC: NTSB, April 14, 1972, 81 pp. http://www.airdisaster.com/reports/ntsb/AAR72-11.pdf &
http://www.marshall.edu/library/speccoll/virtual_museum/Memorial/pdfs/NTSB-AAR-72-11.pdf

NationMaster.com. Encyclopedia. “List of Notable Accidents and Incidents on Commercial Aircraft.” Accessed 12-15-2008 at: http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/List-of-notable-accidents-and-incidents-on-commercial-aircraft