| Status: | Final |
| Date: | 06 JAN 1974 |
| Time: | 19:05 |
| Type: | Beechcraft 99A |
| Operator: | Air East |
| Registration: | N125AE |
| C/n / msn: | U-125 |
| First flight: | 1969 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 7503 |
| Engines: | 2 Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-27 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 2 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 11 / Occupants: 15 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 12 / Occupants: 17 |
| Airplane damage: | Written off |
| Airplane fate: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | Johnstown-Cambria County Airport, PA (JST) (United States of America)
 |
| Phase: | Approach (APR) |
| Nature: | Domestic Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Pittsburgh International Airport, PA (PIT/KPIT), United States of America |
| Destination airport: | Johnstown-Cambria County Airport, PA (JST/KJST), United States of America |
| Flightnumber: | 317 |
Narrative:The aircraft crashed short of runway 33 after hitting an ILS tower.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "A premature descent below a safe approach slope followed by a stall and loss of aircraft control. The reason for the premature descent could not be determined, but it was probably the result of: (1) A deliberate descent below the published minimum descent altitude to establish reference with the approach lights and make the landing, (2) a visual impairment or optical illusion created by the runway/approach lighting systems, and (3) downdrafts near the approach end of the runway."
Sources:
» Flight International 17.01.1974 (66)
Official accident investigation report
Sample newspaper article from Newspaperarchive.com
Follow-up / safety actions
NTSB issued 5 Safety Recommendations
| Issued: 14-APR-1975 | To: FAA | A-75-030 |
| EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, IN CONJUNCTION WITH CAB CONSIDERATION OF AN APPLICATION FOR REPLACEMENT SERVICE, CERTIFY THE APPLICANT\'S SAFETY FITNESS BASED ON AN ACTUAL PHYSICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE PROPOSED REPLACEMENT OPERATOR\'S MANAGERIAL AND OPERATIONAL CAPABILITY TO PROVIDE A LEVEL OF SAFETY IN THE INTENDED SERVICE EQUIVALENT TO THAT REQUIRED OF THE CERTIFICATE OF CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY HOLDER. THE SAFETY STANDARDS AGAINST WHICH THE REPLACEMENT OPERATOR\'S MANAGERIAL CAPABILITY ARE JUDGED SHOULD BE SIMILAR TO THOSE IN 14 CFR 121.59 AND 121.61, WITH EMPHASIS ON 121.59(B). (Closed - Acceptable Action) |
| Issued: 14-APR-1975 | To: FAA | A-75-031 |
| WHEN CERTIFICATING OR RECERTIFICATING A REPLACEMENT OPERATOR, APPLY STANDARDS EQUIVALENT TO THOSE APPLIED IN AUTHORIZING PART 121 OPERATORS TO USE SMALL AIRPLANES IN SCHEDULED SERVICE AS PROVIDED BY 14 CFR 121.9. (Closed - Acceptable Action) |
| Issued: 14-APR-1975 | To: FAA | A-75-032 |
| INCREASE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PROCEDURES FOR SURVEILLANCE OF COMMUTER AIRLINE OPERATIONS BY ADOPTING PROCEDURES NOW EMPLOYED IN THE SURVEILLANCE OF SCHEDULED AIR CARRIERS, INCLUDING THE ASSIGNMENT OF THE RESPONSIBILITY TO THE APPROPRIATE AIR CARRIER DISTRICT OFFICES. (Closed - Acceptable Action) |
| Issued: 14-APR-1975 | To: CIVIL AERONAUTICS BOARD | A-75-033 |
| EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, IN CONJUNCTION WITH AN APPLICATION FOR REPLACEMENT SERVICE, REQUEST THAT THE FAA CERTIFY THE PROPOSED REPLACEMENT OPERATOR\'S MANAGERIAL AND OPERATIONAL CAPABILITIES, TO PROVIDE A LEVEL OF SAFETY IN THE INTENDED SERVICE EQUIVALENT TO THAT REQUIRED OF THE HOLDER OF THE CERTIFICATE OF CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY. THE SAFETY STANDARDS AGAINST WHICH THE REPLACEMENT OPERATOR\'S MANAGERIAL CAPABILITY IS JUDGED SHOULD BE SIMILAR TO THOSE IN 14 CFR 121.59 AND 121.61, WITH EMPHASIS ON 121.59(B). (Closed - Acceptable Alternate Action) |
| Issued: 14-APR-1975 | To: CIVIL AERONAUTICS BOARD | A-75-034 |
| NOT PERMIT THE REPLACEMENT AIR TAXI COMMUTER CARRIER TO DISPLAY THE CERTIFICATED CARRIER\'S TRADEMARK OR LOGOTYPE UNLESS THE CERTIFICATED CARRIER ASSUMES A SUPERVISORY ROLE FOR THE SAFETY OF THE COMMUTER OPERATIONS, INCLUDING TRAINING AND MAINTENANCE. (Closed - Acceptable Alternate Action) |
Show all AD's and Safety Recommendations
Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does
not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Pittsburgh International Airport, PA to Johnstown-Cambria County Airport, PA as the crow flies is 119 km (75 miles).