Incident Overview
Date: Saturday 18 December 1954
Aircraft Type: Douglas DC-6B
Owner/operator: Linee Aeree Italiane – LAI
Registration Number: I-LINE
Location: near New York-Idlewild International Airport, NY (IDL) –
ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: Approach
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 26 / Occupants: 32
Component Affected: Aircraft structure (specifically the left row of runway 04 slope line approach lights).Aircraft structure (specifically the left row of runway 04 slope line approach lights).
Investigating Agency: CABCAB
Category: Accident
A Douglas DC-6, en route from Rome to New York, crashed into the sea near New York-Idlewild Airport, resulting in the loss of 26 lives and the sinking of the aircraft. The aircraft was attempting a landing after four failed attempts, and pilot fatigue is suspected to be a contributing factor.A Douglas DC-6, en route from Rome to New York, crashed into the sea near New York-Idlewild Airport, resulting in the loss of 26 lives and the sinking of the aircraft. The aircraft was attempting a landing after four failed attempts, and pilot fatigue is suspected to be a contributing factor.
Description
Linee Aeree Italiane flight 451, a Douglas DC-6, crashed into the sea while on approach to New York-Idlewild Airport, NY, USA, killing 26 occupants; 6 survived the accident. The DC-6 was on its 4th attempt to land at New York-Idlewild when it struck the pier which supported the left row of runway 04 slope line approach lights. The aircraft crashed in flames and sank in Jamaica Bay. The aircraft was on a flight from Roma-Ciampino to New York via Milan, Paris, Shannon, Gander and Boston. PROBABLE CAUSE: “An erratic approach which resulted in a descent to an altitude too low to avoid striking the pier. A contributing factor to this accident was pilot fatigue due to the particular and difficult circumstances.”
Primary Cause
Erratic approach leading to a descent altitude too low to avoid the pier.Erratic approach leading to a descent altitude too low to avoid the pier.Share on:
