Incident Overview

Date: Monday 4 April 1955
Aircraft Type: Douglas DC-6
Owner/operator: United Airlines
Registration Number: N37512
Location: Islip-MacArthur Field, NY (ISP) – ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: Take off
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3
Component Affected: The DC-6 aircraft’s throttle system.The DC-6 aircraft’s throttle system.
Investigating Agency: CABCAB
Category: Accident
A DC-6 aircraft, the Mainliner Idaho, experienced a catastrophic loss of control during a flight near Islip-MacArthur Field. The aircraft rapidly dipped, turned to the right, and subsequently dived into the ground due to a throttle malfunction. A fire erupted, indicating a significant loss of control.A DC-6 aircraft, the Mainliner Idaho, experienced a catastrophic loss of control during a flight near Islip-MacArthur Field. The aircraft rapidly dipped, turned to the right, and subsequently dived into the ground due to a throttle malfunction. A fire erupted, indicating a significant loss of control.

Description

The DC-6, named “Mainliner Idaho”, took off from New York-Idlewild at 14:28 for a captain instrument proficiency check flight in the vicinity of Islip. At 15:27 the flight was cleared for an ILS approach to Islip-MacArthur Field. After landing the crew were cleared to taxi into position at runway 32. Takeoff clearance was given at 15:48 and 15:50. When climbing through 50 feet the right wing dipped and the DC-6 turned to the right. The climbing turn continued with an increasing bank angle. Bank angle was about 90deg when climbing through 150 feet. Control was lost and the aircraft dived into the ground. A fire broke out. PROBABLE CAUSE: “Unintentional movement of no.4 throttle into the reverse range just before breaking ground, with the other three engines operating at high power output, which resulted in the aircraft very quickly becoming uncontrollable once airborne.”

Primary Cause

Unintentional movement of the No.4 throttle into the reverse range, resulting in excessive engine power and uncontrollable flight.Unintentional movement of the No.4 throttle into the reverse range, resulting in excessive engine power and uncontrollable flight.

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