Air East
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Airline |
| Founded | 1967 |
| Defunct | 1974 |
| Headquarters | Johnstown, Pennsylvania , United States |
Area served | Regional commuter routes |
| Products | Passenger air transport |
Air East operated as a regional commuter airline headquartered at Johnstown–Cambria County Airport in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
History
Established in 1967, Air East commenced six daily passenger services on April 26, 1970, under the Allegheny Commuter affiliation. The Federal Aviation Administration withdrew its commercial operating certificate in 1974.
This airline, based in Johnstown, should not be confused with the family-owned Air East that functioned from Farmingdale, New York between 1982 and its 2011 merger with Ventura, which remained active as of 2016.
Furthermore, another unrelated commuter carrier named Air East provided service between New Orleans and Lafayette, LA during 1970.
Fleet
The airline's aircraft roster featured commuter turboprops such as the Beechcraft Model 99 and the British Aerospace Jetstream 31.
Accidents and incidents
- On January 6, 1974, an Air East Beechcraft 99A crashed short of the runway at Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The accident was caused by inadequate airspeed maintenance and an early descent below the safe approach path. Out of the 17 individuals aboard, 12 lost their lives. The National Transportation Safety Board determined that the crash resulted from a premature descent leading to a stall, potentially influenced by intentional lowering below minimum altitude, misleading lighting conditions, or downdrafts near the landing area.
- On March 7, 1974, the FAA revoked Air East's operating certificate due to multiple regulatory breaches, unsafe operational practices, and coercive behavior. The agency concluded that the airline lacked the necessary judgment and adherence to regulations required for commercial flight operations.