Douglas DC-7C – I-DUVO – Air Crash Data

Incident Overview

Date: Friday 26 February 1960

Aircraft Type: Douglas DC-7C

Owner/operator: Alitalia

Registration Number: I-DUVO

Location: Shannon Airport (SNN) – ÿ Ireland

Phase of Flight: Initial climb

Status: Destroyed, written off

Casualties: Fatalities: 34 / Occupants: 52

Component Affected: Aircraft ? Specifically, the left wing tip, left propellers, and left wing.Aircraft ? Specifically, the left wing tip, left propellers, and left wing.

Category: Accident

A Douglas DC-7 aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Shannon Airport, Ireland, resulting in the loss of 34 lives and the survival of 18. The flight, scheduled from Rome to New York, was being flown under the supervision of a check pilot and was cleared to operate under normal conditions. The aircraft arrived at Shannon without incident and after refueling, was cleared to take off from runway 05. Weather conditions were clear but dark and partially overcast, with a significant ground roll delay. The aircraft ascended to approximately 165 feet, and power was reduced to alternate climb power (2080 BHP) shortly after the turn. The flaps were not fully retracted prior to power reduction, leading to a loss of control and a subsequent turn. The aircraft impacted the ground at approximately 65 feet, with the left wing tip making the initial contact. Subsequent damage occurred with the left propellers and the left wing striking the stone wall and grave stones of Clonloghan Church. The aircraft’s speed at impact was approximately 170-180 kt. The aircraft was completely destroyed by impact and subsequent explosion and fire. One steward and seventeen passengers survived the accident.A Douglas DC-7 aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Shannon Airport, Ireland, resulting in the loss of 34 lives and the survival of 18. The flight, scheduled from Rome to New York, was being flown under the supervision of a check pilot and was cleared to operate under normal conditions. The aircraft arrived at Shannon without incident and after refueling, was cleared to take off from runway 05. Weather conditions were clear but dark and partially overcast, with a significant ground roll delay. The aircraft ascended to approximately 165 feet, and power was reduced to alternate climb power (2080 BHP) shortly after the turn. The flaps were not fully retracted prior to power reduction, leading to a loss of control and a subsequent turn. The aircraft impacted the ground at approximately 65 feet, with the left wing tip making the initial contact. Subsequent damage occurred with the left propellers and the left wing striking the stone wall and grave stones of Clonloghan Church. The aircraft’s speed at impact was approximately 170-180 kt. The aircraft was completely destroyed by impact and subsequent explosion and fire. One steward and seventeen passengers survived the accident.

Description

Alitalia flight 618, a Douglas DC-7, crashed shortly after takeoff from Shannon Airport, Ireland, killing 34 occupants; 18 survived the accident. Flight AZ618 was a scheduled service from Rome, Italy, to New York, NY, USA, with a refueling stop at Shannon, Ireland. The flight was being flown under the supervision of a check pilot. The aircraft, a Douglas DC-7C, arrived at Shannon without incident and after refueling, it was cleared to take off from runway. The weather was clear but dark and partially overcast. The take-off from runway 05 was normal except that the ground roll was probably slightly prolonged. The landing gear was retracted normally. A turn to the left was begun very shortly after gear retraction when the aircraft had climbed to about 165 ft. Power was reduced from take-off power to alternate climb power (2080 BHP) shortly after the turn had been initiated. The flaps, which had been at either 20ø or 10ø initially, were not fully retracted prior to power reduction. Following power reduction, the aircraft accelerated instead of climbing and lost height while still turning. The landing lights were on during the flight. The aircraft struck the ground while still in a left turn – the point of impact being 65 ft amsl. The left wing tip made the initial contact. The left propellers (Nos. 1 and 2) and left wing struck the stone wall and grave stones of Clonloghan Church. The tips of No. 3 propeller first struck the wall and then made cuts in the turf. The speed of the aircraft at impact was of the order of 170 – 180 kt. The aircraft was completely destroyed by impact and subsequent explosion and fire. One steward and seventeen passengers survived the accident. PROBABLE CAUSE: “No definite evidence leading to a particular reason for this accident was revealed by the investigation. It can only be concluded that the aeroplane lost height in a turn shortly after takeoff and struck the ground.”

Primary Cause

Loss of control during a turn shortly after takeoff, resulting in a ground impact.Loss of control during a turn shortly after takeoff, resulting in a ground impact.

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