Convair CV-440 Metropolitan

Douglas R. Taylor

On September 11, 2019, at 0239 eastern daylight time, a Convair 440 airplane, N24DR, impacted trees and terrain while on final approach to runway 25 at the Toledo Express Airport (TOL). The accident site was located about 1/2-mile from the runway arrival threshold in Monclova, Ohio. Both pilots were fatally injured. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a postimpact fire. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by Ferreteria E Implementos San Francisco under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 125 as a non-scheduled cargo flight. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight was being operated on an instrument flight rules flight plan. The flight originated from the Millington-Memphis Airport (NQA), Millington, Tennessee, at 2314 central daylight time and was destined for TOL. According to the operator, the flight crew initially departed Laredo International Airport (LRD) about 1838 central time the evening before the accident and arrived at NQA about 2210 central time. The airplane was refueled before departing on the accident flight. Preliminary air traffic control position data depicted the airplane proceeding direct to TOL after departure from NQA at a cruise altitude of 7,000 ft mean sea level. About 39 miles southwest of TOL, the airplane entered a cruise descent in preparation for approach and landing. The flight crew was subsequently cleared to land at 0235 when the airplane was about 5 miles southeast of TOL. The pilot acknowledged the landing clearance; however, no further communications were received. The airplane ultimately became established on final approach for runway 25 before radar contact was lost. No problems or anomalies were reported during the flight. The airplane struck trees beginning about 0.12-mile east of the accident site; about 0.65-mile northeast of the runway arrival threshold. The initial strikes were about 55 ft above ground level. Multiple tree breaks were observed along the flight path through the wooded area east of the accident site. A ground impact scar was located west of the wooded area and led to the accident site. The impact path was oriented on a westerly heading. The airplane came to rest in a parking lot about 0.50-mile from the threshold and near the extended centerline of the runway.

Fresh Air

The airplane, operated by Fresh Air, Inc., crashed into a lagoon about 1 mile east of the departure end of runway 10 at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU), San Juan, Puerto Rico. The two pilots died, and the airplane was destroyed by impact forces. The airplane was operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1251 as a cargo flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The flight had departed from runway 10 at SJU destined for Princess Juliana International Airport, St. Maarten. Shortly after takeoff, the first officer declared an emergency, and then the captain requested a left turn back to SJU and asked the local air traffic controllers if they could see smoke coming from the airplane (the two tower controllers noted in postaccident interviews that they did not see more smoke than usual coming from the airplane). The controllers cleared the flight to land on runway 28, but as the airplane began to align with the runway, it crashed into a nearby lagoon (Laguna La Torrecilla). Radar data shows that the airplane was heading south at an altitude of about 520 ft when it began a descending turn to the right to line up with runway 28. The airplane continued to bank to the right until radar contact was lost. The estimated airspeed at this point was only 88 knots, 9 knots below the published stall speed for level flight and close to the 87-knot air minimum control speed. However, minimum control speeds increase substantially for a turn into the inoperative engine as the accident crew did in the final seconds of the flight. As a result, the airplane was operating close to both stall and controllability limits when radar contact was lost. Pilots flying multiengine aircraft are generally trained to shut down the engine experiencing a problem and feather that propeller; thus, the flight crew likely intended to shut down the right engine by bringing the mixture control lever to the IDLE CUTOFF position and feathering the right propeller, as called out in the Engine Fire In Flight Checklist. This would have left the flight crew with the left engine operative to return to the airport. However, postaccident examinations revealed that the left propeller was found feathered at impact, with the left engine settings consistent with the engine at takeoff or climb setting. The right engine settings were generally consistent with the engine being shut down; however, the right propeller’s pitch was consistent with a high rotation/takeoff power setting. The accident airplane was not equipped with a flight data recorder or a cockpit voice recorder (nor was it required to be so equipped); hence, the investigation was unable to determine at what point in the accident sequence the flight crew shut down the right engine and at what point they feathered the left propeller, or why they would have done so. Post accident examination of the airplane revealed fire and thermal damage to the airframe on the airplane’s right wing rear spar, nacelle aft of the power section, and in the vicinity of the junction between the augmentor assemblies and the exhaust muffler assembly. While the investigation was unable to determine the exact location of the ignition source, it appears to have been aft of the engine in the vicinity of the junction between the augmentor assemblies and exhaust muffler assembly. The investigation identified no indication of a fire in the engine proper and no mechanical failures that would have prevented the normal operation of either engine.

Dodita Air Cargo

The copilot stated that the pre-flight and run-up before takeoff were performed with no discrepancies noted. After leveling off at 5,500 feet they noticed that the right engine cylinder head temperature and oil temperature was about 10 degrees above the normal parameter for that engine. Shortly after, both pilot's noticed a sharp decrease in the right engine mean effective pressure followed by vibration in the engine. The co-pilot looked at the right engine and informed the pilot that it was on fire around the front lower cylinders. Attempts by the pilot to extinguish the engine fire were unsuccessful. The pilot advised Air Traffic Control of their intention to ditch due to the right engine uncontrolled fire. The co-pilot, handed a life jacket to the pilot and then put his on. The pilot placed his life preserver to the side and did not put it on. While descending the co-pilot opened his side window, but the pilot did not. According to the co-pilot, shortly before ditching the pilot requested 10-degrees of flaps but the flaps did not move. Both pilots were at the controls of the airplane for the ditching. A review of maintenance records revealed that the right engine was installed on the airframe on May 14, 2003 at 45,660.5 hours total airframe time. A complete "C" Check was accomplished on June 15, 2004 at a total time of 45,741.8 hours with no discrepancies noted. The airplane ditched into the Caribbean Ocean 29 miles southeast of Beef Island, Virgin Islands, in an undetermined depth of water, neither the pilot or the airplane wreckage was recovered.

Salair

Before the ferry flight, the pilot (PIC) & inexperienced copilot noted the left & right, float-type, underwing, fuel gauges indicated about 3,900 & 4,050 lbs of fuel, respectively. After takeoff, they noted that the cockpit gauges showed an opposite fuel imbalance of 4,100 & 3,600 lbs in the left & right tanks. Due to this indication, the PIC crossfed fuel from the left tank to both engines for about 30 min to rectify the perceived fuel imbalance. Later as they approached the destination, the left tank was exhausted of fuel, & the left engine lost power, although the left gauge indicated about 500 lbs of fuel remaining in that tank. The PIC then crossfed fuel from the right tank to both engines, & left engine power was restored. ATC vectored the flight for an emergency ILS runway 3 approach. The PIC was distracted during the approach & maneuvered the airplane to re-intercept the localizer. About 500' agl in IMC, both engines lost power. During a forced landing at night, the airplane struck a raised berm & was damaged. No evidence of fuel was found in the left tank; 125 gal of fuel was found in the right tank. Unusable fuel was published as 3 gal. During an exam of the engines & fuel system components, no preimpact failure was found. Historical data from the manufacturer indicated that when the airplane had a low fuel state, unporting of fuel tank outlets could occur during certain maneuvers. This information was not in the Convair 340 flight manual, although unporting of the outlets on this flight was not verified.

Salair

The aircraft departed Santo Domingo-Las Américas Airport at 0822LT on a cargo flight to Aguadilla. Few minutes later, the crew informed ATC about technical problems and was cleared to return. In unclear circumstances, the aircraft crashed 88 minutes after its departure in an isolated area located in the region of La Romana. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were killed.

Servicios Aéreos Santa Ana - SASA

After takeoff from San Borja-Capitán Germán Quiroga Guardia Airport, while in initial climb, the copilot reported an engine failure. The crew attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed in an open field located near the airport and came to rest, broken in several parts. Four people were injured and a passenger was killed.

Gulf %26 Caribbean Cargo

Leased from Winemiller Aviation, the aircraft was completing a charter flight from Fort Lauderdale to Cap Haïtien on behalf of the Metro Nord Travel Club. On approach to Cap Haïtien, flaps and undercarriage were selected down when the hydraulic pressure dropped. The crew continued the approach and the emergency air brake was armed. Upon touchdown, both tyres on the left main gear burst after the brakes locked. The aircraft veered off runway to the left and eventually collided with a parked UH-60 helicopter. All 31 occupants were evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

CAMBA Transportes Aéreos - Comercializadora Aérea Mixta Boliviana

Six minutes after takeoff from Santa Rosa de Yacuma Airport, en route to La Paz, the flight engineer informed the captain that the left engine caught fire. The crew shut down the engine and feathered its propeller. The captain decided to attempt an emergency landing on an abandoned airfield located in El Triunfo, about 24 km north of Santa Rosa de Yacuma Airport. After landing, the aircraft rolled for about 100 metres when the left main gear collapsed. The aircraft veered to the left and rolled for few dozen metres before coming to rest, bursting into flames. All three crew members escaped uninjured and the fire partially destroyed the left part of the aircraft.

Servicios Aéreos Santa Ana - SASA

While cruising at the altitude of 18,000 feet, the aircraft suffered a hydraulic failure. Some instruments failed and the crew elected to gain height to have a better visibility when shortly later, the right engine backfired and lost power. The captain decided to make an emergency landing but encountered local patches of fog. The aircraft eventually belly landed on a plateau and came to rest. All three crew members were rescued.

Cargo Three Panama - C3 Panama

After takeoff from Bogotá-El Dorado Airport, while climbing, the crew declared an emergency and informed ATC about an engine failure. The crew was cleared to return when the aircraft lost height and crashed in a field located 3 km west of the airport. Both pilots were killed.

Servicios Aéreos Santa Ana - SASA

The aircraft was completing a cargo flight from Santa Ana del Yacuma to La Paz, carrying seven passengers, three crew members and a load of meat. While descending to La Paz-El Alto Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and limited visibility when the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Chacaltaya (5,421 metres high) located 19 km north of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all 10 occupants were killed.

Correos de Mexico

An engine failed en route, forcing the crew to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in an open field near Toluca and was damaged beyond repair. Both occupants escaped uninjured. The exact date of the mishap remains unknown, somewhere in November 1989.

Carga Aéreo Transportadora

After takeoff, while in initial climb, the airplane banked right, lost height and crashed, bursting into flames. All four occupants were killed.

Air Resorts Airlines

Shortly after climbing and leveling at 6,000 feet, the right engine bmep gage indicated a rapid power loss and the right engine rpm 'increased out of control' to about 3,100 rpm. The aircrew retarded the right throttle and reduced the right engine to 2,100 rpm by using the prop increase/decrease toggle switch. The aircrew were unable to feather the right propeller or maintain altitude, so they diverted to the nearest airport (Walker County). While turning downwind for runway 09, the right engine fire indicator activated and the copilot confirmed a fire. Both fire bottles were discharged and the right propeller stopped rotating. Injection water for the left engine was exhausted and the left engine began backfiring. The captain then maneuvered and landed on runway 27. After touchdown, the right main tires failed, the aircraft veered off the right side of the runway and hit a ditch and the gear collapsed. An exam revealed the #6 cylinder link rod and/or piston in the right engine had failed, resulting in further damage to the engine and #6 cylinder. Subsequently, fire and heat caused the right engine to seize and also damaged the right main tires which failed at touchdown. All 39 occupants were evacuated, among them two passengers were seriously injured.

TAM Bolivia - Transporte Aéreo Militar Boliviano

On final approach to La Paz-El Alto Airport, the crew was forced to make an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in a field short of runway threshold and came to rest. There were no casualties.

National Flights Services

The crew was completing a positioning flight from Pueblo to Carlsbad on behalf of Air Resort Airlines. While cruising at an altitude of 11,700 feet over a mountainous area under VFR mode, weather conditions deteriorated. Shortly later, the airplane struck trees and crashed. Both pilots were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Transportes Aéreos Unidos

After liftoff from La Paz-El Alto Airport, while in initial climb, the airplane stalled and crashed past the runway end. All four occupants were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Island Airlines

After liftoff, the pilot called for the landing gear to be raised. As the plane was climbing through about 100 feet agl, the pilot noted a loss of power in the right engine and saw a fire light. Ground witnesses heard a muffled explosion and saw smoke and fire trailing from the right engine. The right engine was feathered and the pilot attempted to return to the airport, but was unable to maintain altitude. The plane was ditched near the entrance of Pearl Harbor. A tear down of the right engine revealed that the top ring lands of the n° 10 and n°14 pistons were broken and the top ring was missing from each of the pistons. Also, the rear counterbalance drive intermediate gear was worn and 11 gear teeth were missing. Additionally, the rear counterbalance drive gear was worn.

Aero León

While cruising at an altitude of 8,867 feet on a flight from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca de Juárez, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Pinarete. The wreckage was found few hours later and all 24 occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, the cloud base was reported at 10,000 feet.

Farm-Kem

Crashed in unknown circumstances while trying to land on a remote airstrip somewhere in Colombia. The accident occurred somewhere in 1980 (the exact date remains unknown) during a drug smuggling flight.

Carga Aéreo Transportadora

After takeoff from Camiare Airstrip, while in initial climb, one of the engine caught fire. The crew attempted an emergency landing when the airplane crashed about 400 metres past the runway end and came to rest in flames. Both pilots were uninjured while the aircraft was destroyed.

Mackey International Airlines

Shortly after takeoff from Freeport-Grand Bahama Airport, while climbing, the crew declared an emergency after a fire erupted in the right main wheel well. The crew was cleared to return for an emergency landing and completed a circuit when the right engine in fire detached and fell away. After touchdown on runway 24, the airplane veered to the right and came to rest in a lagoon. A passenger was seriously injured while 45 other occupants escaped with minor or no injuries. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Cornerstone Construction

On approach to San Juan-Isla Verde Airport, the right main landing failed to extend. The captain decided to complete two touch-and-go but the right main gear remained blocked in its wheel well. The decision to complete a belly landing was taken. After landing on runway 10, the airplane slid for few dozen meters before coming to rest. All three occupants escaped the scene and were not recovered. It was later reported that parts of the right main gear and the outboard five feet from the right horizontal stabilizer were missing.

North East Bolivian Airways - NEBA

Crashed shortly after takeoff from El Desengaño Airport following an engine failure. Occupant's fate unknown.

09 Charlie

Crashed in unknown circumstances off Turks & Caicos Islands. There were no casualties while the aircraft sank and was lost.

Argosy Air Lines

En route from Columbus to Fort Lauderdale, the crew encountered technical problems with both engines. Tower asked the pilot if he wanted to return to the airport due to slow climb but there was no reply. The crew attempted to ditch the aircraft in the Ohio River. The airplane slid on water and came to rest off Shippingport. All three occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was written off.

TAM Bolivia - Transporte Aéreo Militar Boliviano

Shortly after takeoff from San Ramón Airport, the right engine failed. The pilot was cleared to return for an emergency landing. After touchdown, the airplane veered off runway and collided with a hangar. All occupants escaped uninjured while one person in the hangar was killed.

San Francisco Servicios Aéreos

Few minutes after takeoff from San Francisco de Moxos, while cruising at an altitude of 14,500 feet, the right engine failed. The crew increased power on the second engine and was able to maintain altitude for five minutes but was eventually forced to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in a swampy area located near Lagura. All four occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

North East Bolivian Airways - NEBA

During the takeoff roll at La China Airport, the captain decided to abandon the takeoff and to initiate an emergency braking procedure. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran, struck several obstacles and came to rest. All four occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

OMCO Petroleum Company

During the takeoff roll at Cairo Airport, one of the engine caught fire. The captain decided to abandon the takeoff procedure and initiated an emergency braking manoeuvre. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran and came to rest in flames few dozen metres further. All occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

TAM Bolivia - Transporte Aéreo Militar Boliviano

After a night takeoff from Tomonoco Airport, the airplane encountered difficulties to gain sufficient height and struck the slope of Mt Colorado located few km from the airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 67 occupants were killed, among them several Army officers flying back to La Paz with family members.

San Francisco Servicios Aéreos

The airplane belly landed at Cerdas Airport for unknown reason. All three crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Transaéreos Frimo - Frigorifico Movima

Few minutes after takeoff from San Borja-Capitán Germán Quiroga Guardia Airport, the crew informed ATC about a hydraulic leak on the right engine and was cleared to return. While descending, the crew was unable to maintain a safe altitude and decided to attempt an emergency landing in an open field. On touchdown, the tail separated and the airplane came to rest in flames. A passenger was killed while 28 other occupants were evacuated, some of them were injured.

Sierra Pacific Airlines - SPA

The aircraft was chartered by Wolper Productions Inc. to fly a movie production crew from Bishop (BIH) to Burbank (BUR). The cast and crew of the television series 'Primal Man' was returning from shooting a prehistoric hunting sequence in the snow-covered Sierra. Amongst the crew were director-writer Dennis Azzarella and actor Janos Prohaska. Flight 802 departed Hollywood-Burbank Airport at 18:14 to pick up the passengers at Bishop. The flight from Burbank to Bishop was conducted under VFR conditions and at 19:10 the crew contacted the Tonopah Flight Service Station (FSS) and cancelled their VFR flight plan. The crew then "air filed" an IFR flight plan for the return trip from Bishop to Burbank. The aircraft landed at Bishop at 19:20. Baggage and equipment were loaded and 32 passengers boarded the flight. The Convair CV-440 departed the gate at about 20:20. The crew then contacted the Tonopah FSS and advised that they were taxiing for departure and requested that their IFR clearance be activated. After takeoff from runway 12 the flight made a climbing right turn, circled back over, or near, the BIH VOR and then proceeded outbound in an east-southeasterly direction. At 20:24 Flight 802 again contacted the Tonopah FSS and reported that they were off Bishop at 20:20 and were, "climbing VFR over Bishop, awaiting clearance." About four minutes later the aircraft struck a foothill in the White Mountain range at an elevation of 6,100 feet. The aircraft was on a heading of about 175° magnetic and in an approximate 25° bank to the right at impact. All 36 occupants were killed.

TAM Bolivia - Transporte Aéreo Militar Boliviano

The airplane was completing a cargo flight from Panama City to Talara with an intermediate stop in La Paz, carrying a crew of three, six passengers and a load of toys. On final approach, the airplane struck tree tops and crashed few hundred meters short of runway. Both pilots and a passenger survived while six other occupants were killed.

JAT Yugoslav Airlines - Jugoslovenski Aerotransport

For unknown reason, the airplane belly landed at Titograd Airport. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off. The exact date of the mishap remains unknown, somewhere in May 1971.

Linjeflyg

The crew was completing a local training mission at Stockholm-Arlanda Airport. On takeoff, the instructor reduced power on the left engine to simulate a failure. After rotation, during initial climb, the crew elected to restore the power on the left engine when the airplane banked left, causing the left wing to struck the ground. Out of control, the airplane crashed on the left of the runway and came to rest. All four crew members were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

JAT Yugoslav Airlines - Jugoslovenski Aerotransport

Crashed upon landing at Titograd Airport for undetermined reason. There were no casualties.

Swissair

The aircraft departed Zurich-Kloten runway 28 at 0743LT on a local training mission, carrying an instructor and three student pilots. During initial climb, the captain turn slightly to the right and continued at low height when the aircraft contacted tree tops, stalled and crashed in a wooded area located in Regensberg, about 8 km northwest of the airport. Debris scattered on more than 200 meters and all four crew members were killed.

Allegheny Airlines

During the takeoff roll on runway 26, the electrical system failed. The crew aborted the takeoff maneuver, started an emergency braking procedure and triggered the reverse thrust system. The reverse thrust system failed to work so the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance and overran. Past the runway end, the nose gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest against a metallic tower supporting the approach light system. All 16 occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Lufthansa

The aircraft was operating a scheduled service of Deutsche Lufthansa on the route Frankfurt - Bremen - Hamburg under flight number LH 005. Scheduled time of departure in Frankfurt: 1625 hours GMT, scheduled time of arrival at Bremen: 1745 hours GMT. Actually, the aircraft took off at 1641 hours GMT. The last phase of the flight can be roughly reconstructed from the tape recordings, the evidence given by the witnesses and the position of the wreckage as follows: 17.41 GMT Descending from flight level 60 and clearance for ILS approach to runway 27 at Bremen. 17.44 GMT Passing of radio beacon Bremen outbound. 17.48 GMT Passing of radio beacon Bremen inbound on final approach. 17.49.37 GMT The aircraft was seen for the first time by witnesses about 1 000 m approximately before the threshold of runway 27 near the middle marker; later it was observed by the control tower with its landing gear extended and the landing lights turned on. 17.50.15 GMT About 1 200 m after the threshold of runway 27, close to the intersec- approximately tion of runways 27/09 and 32/14, the aircraft went round again at an altitude of about 30 ft above ground with a compass course of about 2700. 17.50.40 GMT With a pitch of about 300 to 600 and the left wing forward the aircraft approximately crashed on the ground in the opposite direction to runway 27, about 385 m west of the end of runway 27 and about 380 m south of the runway centre line. The aircraft was totally destroyed and none of the 46 occupants survived.

Allegheny Airlines

Allegheny Airlines, Inc., Flight 604, a Convair 340/440, N8415H, crashed 5 miles east-northeast of the Williamsport-Lycoming County Airport, Montoursville, Pennsylvania, on July 23, 1965. The 36 passengers, 3 crew members, and 1 jumpseat rider survived but received varying degrees of injuries. The flight, regularly scheduled from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Newark, New Jersey, with intermediate stops at Dubois, Phillipsburg, Williamsport and Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, departed Runway 09 at 1503. e.d.t. Shortly after takeoff smoke and fire were observed coming from the right engine and at approximately 1505:30 the captain advised "Six oh four is coming back in, we've got the right engine feathered.” The crash occurred moments later on the crest of a ridge approximately 600 feet above the airport elevation. The aircraft was destroyed by fire. The failure of the right engine is attributed to the failure of the front row master rod and all the associated link rods. Damage to the rod ends precluded any determination of the cause of the master rod failure.

Iberia - Lineas Aéreas de Espana

The aircraft took off from Malaga, Spain, at 0733 hours GMT, on a non- scheduled international flight to Tangier, Morocco, and return. Meteorological conditions were good as far as Gibraltar; however, the aircraft encountered conditions which were below the general minima north-west of Tangier. The crew first contacted Tangier control tower at 0755 hours, estimating Tangier at 0805 hours. The 0720 hours weather observation was then passed to the crew. At 0758 hours the crew was informed that the Tangier VOR was inoperative and two minutes later they were requested to report at 2 500 ft over the TW locator or field in sight. At 0802 hours they were provided with the 0750 hours weather observation together with the latest QNH (1 024 mb) and QFE (1 022 mb). This was acknowledged by the crew at 0803 hours. All subsequent calls from Tangier control tower remained unanswered. It was subsequently found that the aircraft had crashed at about 0804 hours into the sea, approximately 10 NM off the Moroccan coast. Three passengers were rescued while 50 other occupants were killed.

Linjeflyg

The airplane departed Stockholm-Bromma Airport at 1946LT bound for Ängelholm-Helsinborg Airport with intermediate stops at Hultsfred and Halmstad. Due to poor weather en route, the crew was instructed by ATC to fly directly to Ängelholm and continued at an altitude of 12,000 feet. On final approach by night, the aircraft was off course and too low. In a relative flat attitude, the airplane struck the ground with its starboard wing tip and landing gear. Eighty meters further, it collided with the overhead lines of the West Coast Railway Line, knocking off two concrete posts. It continued for another 170 meters, struck again the ground, went upside down and slid for 150 meters before coming to rest. Both pilots and 29 passengers were killed while two other crew members and 10 passengers were injured, some of them seriously. The aircraft was totally destroyed.

United States Air Force - USAF

Shortly after rotation, while in initial climb, one of the engine failed. The crew feathered the propeller and the captain decided to make an emergency landing. The aircraft belly landed and slid for several before coming to rest in flames in a gully located 4 miles southeast of the airfield. A passenger died while 19 other occupants were rescued. The aircraft was destroyed.

Iberia - Lineas Aéreas de Espana

While on final approach to Seville-San Pablo Airport, the crew was able to send a brief mayday message, reporting that the aircraft caught fire. Shortly later, the airplane went out of control and crashed onto a hill located 4 km short of runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all 18 occupants were killed.

Cruzeiro do Sul

The aircraft was proceeding from Florianópolis when over NDB CT it received instructions from the tower to initiate the approach procedure for Runway 33, whereupon the pilot started his intermediate approach. After three minutes, since the aircraft had not reported on base turn, the tower operator called the pilot to check the aircraft's position, but received no reply. Having lost two-way radio contact, the tower gave the alarm, and later learned that the aircraft had crashed. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Commission found chat in the final phase of the intermediate approach leg, the base turn and the beginning of the final approach, the aircraft was flying in cumulonimbus. It was therefore concluded that downward currents had affected the rate of descent to the extent of making the aircraft lose altitude and ultimately crash to the ground. Five crew members and 16 passengers were killed and 5 passengers were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

Real Aerovias

The aircraft was on a scheduled flight from Sao Paulo to Porto Alegre, Montevideo (Carrasco) and Buenos Aires . Thirty passengers and five crew were aboard. At Porto Alegre the aircraft was refuelled and took off at 1917 hours for Montevideo with 1 471 gallons on board. It passed over Treinta y Tres at 2039 hours, flying at 2 400 metres, IFR. Over Minas the aircraft was cleared to descent to 1 200 metres and was instructed by the control centre to call back when 50 km out from the aerodrome. The flight again contacted the control centre from that point. The aircraft was transferred to aerodrome control and overflew the CAR radio beacon at 2115 hours, at 600 metres, visual. It carried out a visual approach procedure as the runway lights were clearly visible throughout. However, it undershot and the port and nose wheels hit a small earth bank bordering highway 102. It is considered that the aircraft was correctly aligned with the runway, or was perhaps making a slight left turn in order to correct a small deviation. The starboard wing touched ground some 2 metres further on. Some 170 metres further on the aircraft lost both propellers and the starboard engine. The starboard wing broke off causing the entire fuselage to effect a turn of 180° on its longitudinal axis. At the same time, unequal friction against the ground caused the body of the fuselage to skid to the right, turn on its vertical axis and come to rest 380 metres from impact. The slope, though slight, contributed to the downward movement of the aircraft. The accident occurred between 2119 and 2121 hours. One crew member was killed.

Swissair

The aircraft departed from San Diego, California, at 0407LT on 12 July for Zurich Airport, Switzerland, with two American pilots at the control, on a delivery flight to Swissair. Intermediate stops included New York, Gander and Shannon. Having left New York at 1240 GMT on 14 July 1956, the aircraft landed at Gander at 1659 GMT. After a stop of 57 minutes, it left Gander for Shannon at 1748 GMT carrying the same crew of 4 members. Following an uneventful ocean crossing the aircraft at 0008 hours on 15 July was given initial descent clearance to Shannon and was then cleared into the Shannon Holding Pattern, where four other aircraft were holding. At 0125 hours the aircraft commenced a Ground Controlled Approach to runway 23 and on establishing visual reference to the ground broke off the approach for a left-hand visual circuit to runway 05. During the turn onto final approach to runway 05, the aircraft, while banking steeply was observed to drop. The aircraft was destroyed on impact with the ground at approximately 0135LT and the 4 occupants were killed. There was no fire.