Newark – Chicago – Saint Louis – Springfield – Tulsa

On March 20, 1955 at 10:36 PM, Newark – Chicago – Saint Louis – Springfield – Tulsa experienced a crash involving Convair CV-240, operated by American Airlines, with the event recorded near Springfield Missouri.

The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

35 people were known to be on board, 13 fatalities were recorded, 22 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 37.1%.

Crew on board: 3, crew fatalities: 2, passengers on board: 32, passenger fatalities: 11, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. American 711 reported en route to the company that it was over Vichy (a position along Victor Airway 14 about 100 miles from Springfield) and estimated it would reach the Springfield VOR station at 2233. Initial radio contact with Springfield Approach Control was established at 2218 and the flight gave it the same Springfield estimate. The approach controller transmitted the 2208 weather observation to the flight. Reported conditions were: Ceiling 400 feet overcast; visibility 10 miles; wind west 12; altimeter 29.68. In response to the controller’s question the flight then indicated it intended to land at Springfield. Immediately thereafter clearance was issued for a standard range approach, instructing flight 711 to report over the range station and when starting the procedure turn. Shortly thereafter the flight asked clearance to descend. There being no other traffic the controller cleared the flight for an approach and to descend whenever it wished. At 2229 the latest weather observation for the airport, completed at 2228, was transmitted to the flight. Conditions given were: Ceiling 500 feet overcast; visibility 8 miles, very light drizzle; wind west 10. The flight informed the controller it would make a circling approach to runway 31, the active runway. At 2234 the flight reported, “American 711, over the Omni at 34, proceeding to the field.” Approximately two minutes later an explosion was seen and heard north-northwest of the airport and attempts to contact the flight thereafter failed. The aircraft crashed about 0,25 miles short of runway 31 and was destroyed. Both pilots and 11 passengers were killed. A weather observation immediately following the accident was: Ceiling 500 feet overcast; visibility 5 miles, very light drizzle; wind northwest 8; altimeter 29.66.

Aircraft reference details include registration N94234, MSN 66, year of manufacture 1948.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 37.2082°, -93.2923°.