Incident Overview
Date: Sunday 15 July 1956
Aircraft Type: Convair CV-440-11
Owner/operator: Swissair
Registration Number: HB-IMD
Location: Shannon Airport (SNN) –
ÿ Ireland
Phase of Flight: Approach
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 4
Component Affected: Aircraft control system (specifically, the final approach control system).Aircraft control system (specifically, the final approach control system).
Category: Accident
A Convair aircraft experienced a catastrophic crash during a delivery flight from San Diego to Zrich via New York, Gander, and Shannon. The pilot initiated a sharp, unexpected turn to runway 05 during an established visual reference approach, resulting in a rapid and uncontrolled descent and subsequent crash.A Convair aircraft experienced a catastrophic crash during a delivery flight from San Diego to Zrich via New York, Gander, and Shannon. The pilot initiated a sharp, unexpected turn to runway 05 during an established visual reference approach, resulting in a rapid and uncontrolled descent and subsequent crash.
Description
The Convair was on delivery from San Diego to Zrich via New York, Gander and Shannon. The crew broke off their GCA runway 23 approach after establishing visual reference, and turned for a runway 05 approach. The Convair banked sharply, dropped and crashed. PROBABLE CAUSE: Error of judgement by pilot: an abnormally steep turn onto final approach.
Primary Cause
Error of judgement by pilot: an abnormally steep turn onto final approach.Error of judgement by pilot: an abnormally steep turn onto final approach.Share on:
