Tampa – Melbourne

On March 17, 1958 at 12:00 AM, Tampa – Melbourne experienced a crash involving Martin 404, operated by Eastern Airlines, with the event recorded near Melbourne Florida.

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.

10 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 10 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.

Crew on board: 3, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 7, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. On final approach to Melbourne Airport, the aircraft was too low, causing an undercarriage to struck a gravel pile located short of runway threshold. The crew continued the approach and at touchdown, the undercarriage collapsed. The airplane sank on its belly and slid for several yards before coming to rest in flames. All ten occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was destroyed by fire.

Aircraft reference details include registration N496A, MSN 14244, year of manufacture 1952.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 28.0785°, -80.6078°.