Amsterdam – Shannon – New York
Flight / Schedule
Amsterdam – Shannon – New York
Aircraft
Lockheed L-1049 Super ConstellationRegistration
PH-LKY
MSN
4509
Year of Manufacture
1953
Date
September 5, 1954 at 02:39 AM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Crash Location
Shannon Munster
Region
Europe • Ireland
Coordinates
52.7059°, -8.9002°
Crash Cause
Human factor
Narrative Report
On September 5, 1954 at 02:39 AM, Amsterdam – Shannon – New York experienced a crash involving Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation, operated by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines - Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij, with the event recorded near Shannon Munster.
The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.
56 people were known to be on board, 28 fatalities were recorded, 28 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 50.0%.
Crew on board: 10, crew fatalities: 3, passengers on board: 46, passenger fatalities: 25, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is human factor. After a night takeoff from runway 32 at Shannon Airport, the four engine aircraft christened 'Triton' climbed to a maximum height of 260 feet and reached the speed of 155 knots when it went into a slight nose down attitude. It then started to descend until it crashed into the Shannon Estuary, about 8,170 feet from the departure end of runway 32. The crashed occurred approximately 35 seconds after liftoff. 28 occupants were killed while 28 others were rescued. The aircraft was destroyed.
Aircraft reference details include registration PH-LKY, MSN 4509, year of manufacture 1953.
Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 52.7059°, -8.9002°.
Fatalities
Total
28
Crew
3
Passengers
25
Other
0
Crash Summary
After a night takeoff from runway 32 at Shannon Airport, the four engine aircraft christened 'Triton' climbed to a maximum height of 260 feet and reached the speed of 155 knots when it went into a slight nose down attitude. It then started to descend until it crashed into the Shannon Estuary, about 8,170 feet from the departure end of runway 32. The crashed occurred approximately 35 seconds after liftoff. 28 occupants were killed while 28 others were rescued. The aircraft was destroyed.
Cause: Human factor
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
10
Passengers On Board
46
Estimated Survivors
28
Fatality Rate
50.0%
Known people on board: 56
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Amsterdam – Shannon – New York
Flight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Region / Country
Europe • Ireland
Aircraft Details
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