Kansas City – Lisbon – Naples – Colombo
Flight / Schedule
Kansas City – Lisbon – Naples – Colombo
Aircraft
Beechcraft E18Registration
4R-AAS
MSN
BA-343
Year of Manufacture
1958
Operator
Government of Sri LankaDate
April 4, 1958 at 06:34 PM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Delivery
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Crash Location
Naples Campania
Region
Europe • Italy
Coordinates
40.8396°, 14.2549°
Narrative Report
On April 4, 1958 at 06:34 PM, Kansas City – Lisbon – Naples – Colombo experienced a crash involving Beechcraft E18, operated by Government of Sri Lanka, with the event recorded near Naples Campania.
The flight was categorized as delivery and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.
3 people were known to be on board, 3 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.
Crew on board: 1, crew fatalities: 1, passengers on board: 2, passenger fatalities: 2, other fatalities: 0.
The brand new twin engine airplane was on a delivery flight to the Government of Ceylon from Kansas City to Colombo with several intermediate stops. While approaching Naples-Capodichino Airport, the aircraft struck a hill located at Camaldoli, about 7 km short of runway 06 threshold. The airplane was destroyed and all three occupants were killed, the pilot William Palmer, his wife and one technician. For undetermined reason, the pilot was completing the approach at an insufficient altitude.
Aircraft reference details include registration 4R-AAS, MSN BA-343, year of manufacture 1958.
Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 40.8396°, 14.2549°.
Fatalities
Total
3
Crew
1
Passengers
2
Other
0
Crash Summary
The brand new twin engine airplane was on a delivery flight to the Government of Ceylon from Kansas City to Colombo with several intermediate stops. While approaching Naples-Capodichino Airport, the aircraft struck a hill located at Camaldoli, about 7 km short of runway 06 threshold. The airplane was destroyed and all three occupants were killed, the pilot William Palmer, his wife and one technician. For undetermined reason, the pilot was completing the approach at an insufficient altitude.
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
1
Passengers On Board
2
Estimated Survivors
0
Fatality Rate
100.0%
Known people on board: 3
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Kansas City – Lisbon – Naples – Colombo
Operator
Government of Sri LankaFlight Type
Delivery
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Region / Country
Europe • Italy
Aircraft Details
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