Washington DC – Westfield

On June 19, 1964 at 10:00 PM, Washington DC – Westfield experienced a crash involving Rockwell Aero Commander 680, operated by Private American, with the event recorded near Westfield-Barnes Massachusetts.

The flight was categorized as private and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

5 people were known to be on board, 2 fatalities were recorded, 3 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 40.0%.

Crew on board: 1, crew fatalities: 1, passengers on board: 4, passenger fatalities: 1, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. Following an uneventful flight from Washington DC, the pilot started the approach to Westfield-Barnes Airport in marginal weather with a visibility less than two miles due to fog. On final, while under control, the twin engine aircraft struck the ground about three miles short of runway, near Southampton. The pilot and a passenger were killed while three other occupants were injured. Crew: Edwin T. Zimny. † Passengers: Ted Kennedy, Senator, Birch Bayh, Senator, Mrs Bayh, Edward Moss, personnel assistant to Mr. Kennedy. †

Aircraft reference details include registration N344S, MSN 680-448-119, year of manufacture 1956.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 42.1604°, -72.7120°.