Incident Overview
Date: Monday 20 April 1953
Aircraft Type: Douglas DC-6B
Owner/operator: Western Air Lines
Registration Number: N91303
Location: San Francisco Bay, CA –
ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: Approach
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 8 / Occupants: 10
Component Affected: The aircraft itself.The aircraft itself.
Investigating Agency: CABCAB
Category: Accident
Western Flight 636 experienced a catastrophic crash during a scheduled flight from Los Angeles to Oakland. The aircraft descended below the prescribed minimum altitude and crashed after entering the bay.Western Flight 636 experienced a catastrophic crash during a scheduled flight from Los Angeles to Oakland. The aircraft descended below the prescribed minimum altitude and crashed after entering the bay.
Description
Western Flight 636 was a scheduled flight from Los Angeles to Oakland with an intermediate stop at San Francisco. The DC-6 departed San Francisco’s runway 28R at 23:05 for s short VFR flight across the bay to Oakland. The flight was to remain clear of clouds at a minimum altitude of 500 feet. The crew were cleared to enter the traffic pattern for Oakland’s runway 27R, three minutes later. On approach, the aircraft descended into the bay and crashed. PROBABLE CAUSE: “The pilot’s action in continuing a descent below the 500-foot prescribed minimum altitude until the aircraft struck the water. A probable contributing factor to the aircraft striking the water was the sensory illusion experienced by the pilots.”
Primary Cause
The pilot?s action of continuing a descent below the prescribed minimum altitude until the aircraft struck the water.The pilot?s action of continuing a descent below the prescribed minimum altitude until the aircraft struck the water.Share on:
