Columbus - Seattle

On June 22, 1980 at 01:59 PM, Columbus - Seattle experienced a crash involving Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation, operated by Air Traders International, with the event recorded near Columbus-Municipal (Bakalar) Indiana.

The flight was categorized as ferry and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

8 people were known to be on board, 3 fatalities were recorded, 5 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 37.5%.

Crew on board: 3, crew fatalities: 2, passengers on board: 5, passenger fatalities: 1, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. The four engine airplane departed Columbus-Municipal (Bakalar) Airport on a cargo flight to Seattle, carrying a load of aircraft spare parts. After takeoff, during initial climb, the airplane encountered difficulties to gain height, struck power cables, stalled and crashed in flames in a soybean field. Both pilots and a passenger were killed while five other occupants were injured. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire.

Aircraft reference details include registration N74CA, MSN 4850, year of manufacture 1959.