Chicago – Miami

On March 10, 1948 at 10:58 PM, Chicago – Miami experienced a crash involving Douglas DC-4, operated by Delta Airlines, with the event recorded near Chicago-Midway Illinois.

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.

13 people were known to be on board, 12 fatalities were recorded, 1 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 92.3%.

Crew on board: 4, crew fatalities: 4, passengers on board: 9, passenger fatalities: 8, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. The takeoff roll and the first part of the climb appeared to be normal until the aircraft and progressed three-quarters of the way down the runway, at which time it had reached an altitude between 150 and 200 feet. Then, while still within the airport boundaries, it assumed a very steep, near vertical, climbing attitude. Airport, tower, and flight personal observing from the ground believed the flight to be in difficulty, and though no distress signal was received from the airplane, the tower promptly telephoned the crash and fire facilities on the field. At an altitude between 500 and 800 feet the airplane appeared to stall, and the nose and right wing dropped. A partial recovery from the stall was made before the aircraft crashed to the ground and burst into flames. A passenger was seriously injured while 12 other occupants were killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration N37478, MSN 18390, year of manufacture 1944.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 41.7870°, -87.5891°.