Pittsburgh – Harrisburg – Reading – Allentown – Newark

On April 1, 1956 at 07:20 PM, Pittsburgh – Harrisburg – Reading – Allentown – Newark experienced a crash involving Martin 404, operated by Trans World Airlines - TWA, with the event recorded near Pittsburgh-Intl Pennsylvania.

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.

36 people were known to be on board, 22 fatalities were recorded, 14 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 61.1%.

Crew on board: 3, crew fatalities: 1, passengers on board: 33, passenger fatalities: 21, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. Flight 400 was regularly scheduled between Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Newark, New Jersey, with stops at Harrisburg. Reading. and Allentown, Pennsylvania. Captain Raymond F. McQuade, First Officer Harlan V. Jesperson, and Hostess Vary Jane Fanning, comprised the crew. Prior to departure the pilots were briefed on the en route weather and received the sequence and forecast reports. Although the en route weather was generally good the night was dispatched to Newark on an IFR flight plan via airways as is customary. Upon departure the gross weight of the aircraft was 41,822 pounds (the certificated allowable takeoff gross is 44,900 pounds and TWA's own limit is 43.,650 pounds) and the center of gravity of the loaded aircraft was located within the prescribed limits. Scheduled departure time was 1915; the flight asked for and received taxi clearance at 1916, was then given the wind as calm, and was cleared to runway 23. Takeoff clearance was requested and granted at 1919. About one minute later tower personnel observed a seemingly normal takeoff and initial climb immediately followed by a left turning descent, crash, and erupting fire just beyond the southwest boundary of the airport. Passengers extricated themselves from the jumbled wreckage through and ahead of the fire as best they could; some helped others while a few found themselves thrown out through tears and rents in the shattered fuselage. Although airport based fire fighting equipment was dispatched with no loss of tune some 20 minutes elapsed before it reached the site because of the necessity of traversing circuitous country lanes. Once there, the conflagration, which by that time had nearly consumed the wreckage, was quickly smothered. The stewardess and 21 passengers were killed while 14 other occupants were injured. The aircraft was totally destroyed.

Aircraft reference details include registration N40403, MSN 14103, year of manufacture 1951.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 40.4922°, -80.2038°.