CIVIL AERONAUTICS BOARD
AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT REPORT
SOUTHEAST AIRLINES DC-3, N 18941, NEAR TRI-CITY AIRPORT,
BRISTOL, TENNESSEE, JANUARY 8, 1959
SYNOPSIS
On January 8, 1959, about 2032 e. s. t., a DC-3, Southeast Airlines Flight 308, struck a mountainside during an ILS approach to the Tri-City Airport, Tennessee. The aircraft was demolished by the impact and subsequent fire. All occupants—seven passengers and three crew members—received fatal injuries.
The evidence indicates Flight 308 departed Nashville, Tennessee, with an inoperative radio compass. Although the flight was cleared by way of low frequency airway Green 5, it does not appear that the facilities defining this airway were used. Upon arriving in the Tri-Cities area the aircraft was east of its intended track and erroneously identified the reporting point from which an ILS approach procedure was to be initiated. During the instrument approach, which was conducted in snow showers, the flight missed the outer marker. The approach was continued under instrument conditions without utilizing the VOR facility which would have been of assistance in confirming the flight's position. Without having clearly established his position, the pilot flew 15 miles beyond the outer marker and descended to an altitude too low to clear high terrain in this area.
Investigation
Southeast Airlines is an intrastate carrier not holding a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by the Board. Flight 308 is a regular trip which originates in Memphis, Tennessee. Scheduled stops are made at Nashville and Knoxville and the flight terminates at Tri-City. The crew for the segment of the trip of January 8, 1959, from Memphis to Nashville, consisted of Captain Thomas A. Bond, First Officer Robert M. Irwin, and Stewardess Wanda C. Nalley. Captain Robert L. Gollmier, who had deadheaded on this segment, was scheduled to complete the trip to Tri-City with Mr. Irwin and Miss Nalley while Captain Bond returned to Memphis.
At Memphis, the crew made normal preparations for the flight. The weather was checked and the necessary flight papers were filed, including an instrument flight rules flight plan. After receiving IFR clearance to Nashville, the flight departed Memphis at 1630[1] with Captain Bond in command and proceeded
- ↑ All times are eastern standard unless otherwise specified, and are based on the 24-hour clock.
