Zone

Crash of a Curtiss AT-32C Condor II near Wilmurt

Date & Time: Dec 28, 1934 at 2035 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NC12363
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Syracuse – Albany
MSN:
23
YOM:
1933
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The left engine encountered problems some 30 minutes after takeoff from Syracuse Airport. Due to heavy snow falls, the crew was unable to maintain a visual contact with the ground and radio communications with ATC were difficult. Few minutes later, the right engine lost power and the crew elected to make an emergency landing. The aircraft impacted a tree with its right wing and crashed in a wooded area. All four occupants were rescued few hours later, seriously injured by low temperature and outside conditions (snow). Carburetors failed due to icing conditions.
Probable cause:
It is the opinion of the Accident Board that the probable cause of this accident is the failure of the company to have on duty in the Division Control Office a dispatcher in charge of flight control.