Minneapolis – Chicago – Miami

On March 17, 1960 at 03:25 PM, Minneapolis – Chicago – Miami experienced a crash involving Lockheed L-188 Electra, operated by Northwest Airlines, with the event recorded near Tell City Indiana.

The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was flight at a plain, valley crash site.

63 people were known to be on board, 63 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 6, crew fatalities: 6, passengers on board: 57, passenger fatalities: 57, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. The four engine aircraft departed Chicago-Midway at 1438LT bound for Miami, carrying 57 passengers and a crew of six. While cruising at an altitude of 18,000 feet over the south of Indiana State, the aircraft entered a dive and crashed in a huge explosion in a snow covered field located east of Tell City. Some debris were also found in a wooded area. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 63 occupants were killed. The crew was unable to send any distress call prior to the accident.

Aircraft reference details include registration N121US, MSN 1057, year of manufacture 1959.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 37.9508°, -86.7697°.