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|
 A Douglas DC-3 similar to the one involved | |
| Accident | |
|---|---|
| Date | November 30, 1954 |
| Summary | Crashed on approach in snowstorm due to pilot error |
| Site |
|
| Aircraft | |
| Aircraft type | Douglas DC-3 |
| Operator | Northeast Airlines |
| Registration | N17891 |
| Flight origin | Logan International Airport, Boston, Massachusetts, United States |
| Stopover | Laconia Municipal Airport, Concord, New Hampshire, United States |
| Destination | Berlin Regional Airport, Coös County, New Hampshire, United States |
| Occupants | 7 |
| Passengers | 3 |
| Crew | 4 |
| Fatalities | 2 (initially 0) |
| Injuries | 5 (initially 3, the captain, co-pilot and supervisor) |
| Survivors | 5 (initially 7) |
Northeast Airlines Flight 792 was a scheduled domestic flight from Boston, Massachusetts to Berlin, New Hampshire, with a stopover at Concord, New Hampshire. On November 30, 1954, the Douglas DC-3 struck into the side of Mount Success during a snowstorm, jolted to a violent halt. It's left wing and propellor engine burst into flames. Survivors were hurdling for 45 hours before being found by rescuers and volunteers.[1]
Occupants
editThe captain of the flight was W.Peter Carey, aged 37. He had been employed by Northeast Airlines as a captain since 1946. He had a total flight experience of 7,900 hours, 5,500 of which in the DC-3.
The first officer was G.D.McCormick, also aged 37. He had been employed by Northeast Airlines since 1950. His piloting experience totaled 4,300 hours, 831 of which in the DC-3.
The stewardess - Mary McEttrick, aged 23, had been employed by Northeast Airlines in June 1953 and has completed the company training course in emergency procedure.
On board of the flight includes a company flight superintendent named John McNulty, aged 39.
The three passengers onboard were James W.Harvey, William Miller and Daniel Hall. They were all businessman who often hopped on short flights throughout New England.[2]
Aircraft
editThe aircraft involved was a Douglas DC-3, manufactured in 1943. It was initially purchased from the United States Air Force (USAF) in 1945 and modified for civil use by AeroServices Inc. It had a total flight hours of 26,000 hours and been at Northeast Airlines for 24,000 hours, registered as N17891.
Accident
editAt 11:03, the flight asked for weather. As of the updated information at 11:10: 2,300 scattered, 3,000 overcast, 2 1/2 miles visibility - close to Berlin's minimum. The flight acknowledged the information, but did not gave its altitude nor position. Meanwhile the flight was descending for a straight-in approach. The captain was able to recognize visual references on the ground until the plane entered the overcast when it encountered with a severe downdraft. In an effort to save the plane, the captain raise the nose up, but it was too late. The plane lost 500 feet of altitude and crashed into the snow-covered southern slope of Mount Success.[1][2][3][4][5]
Rescue
editAfter the crash, the search rescue was initiated, but the weather hampered their efforts until December 2.
During the 45 freezing hours, the survivors battled with cold and hunger. They used the plane's fuselage (the body of the plane) for shelter. To stay warm, they wrapped themselves with cabin insulation, curtains, and soundproofing material. The passengers even opened their suitcases and distributed extra clothing to the crew.
Only a few crackers, cookies, and tea were used to eat. A small fire was built from wood for warmth and tea. Stewardess McEttrick was credited by the passengers for keeping everyone’s spirits up while waiting for rescue, with the nickname “Merry Mack”. [2][4]
Unfortunately, the company flight superintendent and co-pilot died from their injuries before rescuers could reach them. The other five people were eventually rescued by teams on foot.
Aftermath
editThe wreckage of the DC-3 is still on Mount Success today. It become a well-known site for hikers on the Appalachian Trail because the plane is still mostly intact.[3][6][5][7]
References
edit- 1 2 Ranter, Harro. "Accident Douglas DC-3A N17891, Tuesday 30 November 1954". asn.flightsafety.org. Retrieved 2026-06-03.
- 1 2 3 "Northeast Airlines Flight 792 Crash | New England Aviation History". newenglandaviationhistory.com. Retrieved 2026-06-03.
- 1 2 "ROAD TRIP WORTHY: This New Hampshire Hike Will Lead You To 1950's Plane Crash Wreckage". 94.9 HOM. 2017-06-30. Retrieved 2026-06-03.
- 1 2 Verdi, Elisa Gonzales (2025-02-11). "The Dark Side of Mount Success: Exploring Decades Old Wreckage". New Hampshire Magazine. Retrieved 2026-06-03.
- 1 2 LLC, ScenicNH Photography; Donovan, Erin Paul (2010-08-17). "Northeast Airlines Flight 792 - Mount Success Plane Crash". ScenicNH Photography LLC. Retrieved 2026-06-03.
- ↑ Wood, Ian (2025-06-28). "New Hampshire Peak Is Home To A Crashed Plane From 1954". Unofficial Networks. Retrieved 2026-06-03.
- ↑ "Mount Success : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost". www.summitpost.org. Retrieved 2026-06-03.