Philadelphia – Chicago – Omaha – Denver

On July 11, 1961 at 11:36 AM, Philadelphia – Chicago – Omaha – Denver experienced a crash involving Douglas DC-8, operated by United Airlines, with the event recorded near Denver-Stapleton Colorado.

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.

122 people were known to be on board, 18 fatalities were recorded, 104 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 14.8%.

Crew on board: 7, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 115, passenger fatalities: 17, other fatalities: 1.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. On July 11, 1961, at 1136 M.S.T., a United Air Lines DC-8 crashed during its landing roll at Stapleton Airfield, Denver, Colorado. None of the 122 occupants was severely injured as an immediate result of the impact; however, there were 16 passenger fatalities as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning when the aircraft burned. One other passenger, an elderly woman, broke both ankles during evacuation of the airplane and later succumbed to shock. In addition, the driver of a panel truck, which the aircraft struck after leaving the runway, also suffered fatal injuries. After experiencing hydraulic difficulties following takeoff from Omaha, Nebraska, the crew of N8040U continued the flight to Denver, using procedures set forth in the flight manual for abnormal hydraulic situations. When the flight arrived in the Denver area, preparations were made for landing. The ejectors were extended hydraulically, however, when an attempt was made to extend flaps to 25 degrees the hydraulic pressure dropped to zero. The hydraulic system selector was then placed in the No. 3 position (flap and gear downlock), and the approach was continued. After touchdown, the throttles were placed in the idle reverse thrust position and when power was applied, an uncontrollable deviation from the runway occurred.

Aircraft reference details include registration N8040U, MSN 45307, year of manufacture 1961.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 39.7778°, -104.8651°.