United Airlines Flight 624 was scheduled to fly from New York City to Chicago, carrying 39 passengers and four crew members. As the Douglas DC-6 made its descent into Pennsylvania, it encountered severe weather, including thunderstorms that severely reduced visibility. Shortly before the crash, the flight's crew attempted to navigate through adverse conditions, but unfortunately, the aircraft lost altitude rapidly and crashed into a wooded area near Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania.

The crash site was challenging to access, hampering initial recovery efforts. Investigators from the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) began their probe into the incident, which included examining the aircraft's maintenance history and the flight crew's operational decisions. Preliminary findings suggested that the weather played a crucial role, as pilots had reported difficulties maintaining altitude and orientation during the storm.

The findings from the investigations into Flight 624 led to more stringent regulations regarding flight operations in and around severe weather. The tragedy called attention to the need for improved weather services and better pilot training when dealing with adverse weather conditions, ultimately shaping future aviation safety standards.