Port Louis – Cocos Islands – Perth

During the takeoff roll on runway 13 at Port Louis-Plaisance Airport, at a speed of 115 knots (just before V1 speed), the engine number three suffered a technical failure. The captain decided to abandon the takeoff procedure and started an emergency braking maneuver. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the four engine airplane overran, lost its undercarriage and came to rest in flames 100 yards farther. All 50 occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was completely destroyed by fire. Twenty people, among them four crew members, were injured.

Flight / Schedule

Port Louis – Cocos Islands – Perth

Registration

VH-EAC

MSN

4606

Year of Manufacture

1955

Date

August 24, 1960 at 05:47 PM

Type

CRASH

Flight Type

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Crash Location

Port Louis All Mauritius

Region

Africa • Mauritius

Coordinates

-20.1564°, 57.4916°

Crash Cause

Technical failure

Narrative Report

On August 24, 1960 at 05:47 PM, Port Louis – Cocos Islands – Perth experienced a crash involving Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation, operated by Qantas Airways - Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services, with the event recorded near Port Louis All Mauritius.

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.

50 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 50 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.

Crew on board: 12, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 38, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. During the takeoff roll on runway 13 at Port Louis-Plaisance Airport, at a speed of 115 knots (just before V1 speed), the engine number three suffered a technical failure. The captain decided to abandon the takeoff procedure and started an emergency braking maneuver. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the four engine airplane overran, lost its undercarriage and came to rest in flames 100 yards farther. All 50 occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was completely destroyed by fire. Twenty people, among them four crew members, were injured.

Aircraft reference details include registration VH-EAC, MSN 4606, year of manufacture 1955.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately -20.1564°, 57.4916°.

Fatalities

Total

0

Crew

0

Passengers

0

Other

0

Crash Summary

During the takeoff roll on runway 13 at Port Louis-Plaisance Airport, at a speed of 115 knots (just before V1 speed), the engine number three suffered a technical failure. The captain decided to abandon the takeoff procedure and started an emergency braking maneuver. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the four engine airplane overran, lost its undercarriage and came to rest in flames 100 yards farther. All 50 occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was completely destroyed by fire. Twenty people, among them four crew members, were injured.

Cause: Technical failure

Occupants & Outcome

Crew On Board

12

Passengers On Board

38

Estimated Survivors

50

Fatality Rate

0.0%

Known people on board: 50

Operational Details

Schedule / Flight

Port Louis – Cocos Islands – Perth

Flight Type

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Region / Country

Africa • Mauritius

Aircraft Details

Registration

VH-EAC

MSN

4606

Year of Manufacture

1955

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