Norfolk – Philadelphia
Flight / Schedule
Norfolk – Philadelphia
Aircraft
Douglas DC-7Registration
N762Z
MSN
44922
Year of Manufacture
1956
Operator
Universal AirlinesDate
July 2, 1968 at 06:11 PM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Cargo
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Crash Location
Philadelphia Pennsylvania
Region
North America • United States of America
Coordinates
39.9527°, -75.1635°
Crash Cause
Human factor
Narrative Report
On July 2, 1968 at 06:11 PM, Norfolk – Philadelphia experienced a crash involving Douglas DC-7, operated by Universal Airlines, with the event recorded near Philadelphia Pennsylvania.
The flight was categorized as cargo 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, 0 fatalities were recorded, 3 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.
Crew on board: 3, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is human factor. The crew was completing a cargo flight from Norfolk to Philadelphia on behalf of the US Air Force. After touchdown on wet runway 09/27 at Philadelphia-Intl Airport, the crew encountered difficulties to decelerate properly. The four engine aircraft suffered hydroplaning then went out of control and veered off runway to the right. While contacting soft ground, the undercarriage collapsed and the right wing was torn off. The airplane came to rest in flames and was destroyed by a post crash fire while all three crew members escaped uninjured.
Aircraft reference details include registration N762Z, MSN 44922, year of manufacture 1956.
Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 39.9527°, -75.1635°.
Fatalities
Total
0
Crew
0
Passengers
0
Other
0
Crash Summary
The crew was completing a cargo flight from Norfolk to Philadelphia on behalf of the US Air Force. After touchdown on wet runway 09/27 at Philadelphia-Intl Airport, the crew encountered difficulties to decelerate properly. The four engine aircraft suffered hydroplaning then went out of control and veered off runway to the right. While contacting soft ground, the undercarriage collapsed and the right wing was torn off. The airplane came to rest in flames and was destroyed by a post crash fire while all three crew members escaped uninjured.
Cause: Human factor
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
3
Passengers On Board
0
Estimated Survivors
3
Fatality Rate
0.0%
Known people on board: 3
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Norfolk – Philadelphia
Operator
Universal AirlinesFlight Type
Cargo
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Region / Country
North America • United States of America
Aircraft Details
Similar Plane Crashes
United States Signal Corps - USSC
De Havilland DH.4
The single engine airplane departed Dayton-McCook Field for a local test flight. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft stalled and crashed, killing both occupants. Crew: Maj Oscar Brindley, Lt Col Henry Damm.
United States Signal Corps - USSC
De Havilland DH.4
Lt. Frank Stuart Patterson, son and nephew of the co-founders of National Cash Register, is killed in the crash of his DH.4M, AS-32098, at Wilbur Wright Field during a flight test of a new mechanism for synchronizing machine gun and propeller, when a tie rod breaks during a dive from 15,000 feet (4,600 m), causing the wings to separate from the aircraft. Wishing to recognize the contributions of the Patterson family (owners of NCR) the area of Wright Field east of Huffman Dam (including Wilbur Wright Field, Fairfield Air Depot, and the Huffman Prairie) is renamed Patterson Field on 6 July 1931, in honor of Lt. Patterson.
United States Signal Corps - USSC
De Havilland DH.4
The aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances.
United States Signal Corps - USSC
De Havilland DH.4
The crew was completing a training mission. At an altitude of about 4,000 feet, the aircraft entered a spin and crashed in an open field near Everman-Barron Field Airport. A crew was killed and the second occupants was injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
U.S. Air Mail Service
De Havilland DH.4
Crashed following an engine failure. Pilot fate unknown.
United States Signal Corps - USSC
De Havilland DH.4
The accident occurred in unknown circumstances.
