Continental Charters Flight 44-2

Continental Charters Flight 44-2
Military C-46 similar to the plane that crashed
Accident
DateDecember 29, 1951
SummaryControlled flight into terrain (CFIT)
SiteBucktooth Ridge, near
Napoli, New York
Aircraft
Aircraft typeCurtiss C-46 Commando
OperatorContinental Charters Inc
RegistrationN3944C
Flight originMiami, Florida
StopoverPittsburgh, Pennsylvania
DestinationBuffalo, New York
Occupants40
Passengers36
Crew4
Fatalities26
Injuries14
Survivors14

Continental Charters Flight 44-2, a domestic non scheduled passenger flight from Miami, Florida to Buffalo, New York, crashed on December 29, 1951 near Napoli, New York. The twin engine C-46 Commando, registration N3944C, crashed approximately 10:25 pm in adverse weather conditions. Of the four crew and 36 passengers on board, three crew members and 23 passengers perished. The flight crew's poor judgment in attempting a flight by visual reference during instrument weather conditions was the cause of the accident.