Incident Overview
Date: Tuesday 12 May 1959
Aircraft Type: Lockheed L-049E-46 Constellation
Owner/operator: Capital Airlines
Registration Number: N2735A
Location: Charleston-Kanawha County Airport, WV (CRW) –
ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: Landing
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 44
Component Affected: AircraftAircraft
Investigating Agency: CABCAB
Category: Accident
A Constellation aircraft made an unplanned landing on Charleston runway 32, resulting in a skidding and fire due to excessive braking and a failed landing maneuver. The pilot’s actions of landing too fast on a wet runway exacerbated the situation.A Constellation aircraft made an unplanned landing on Charleston runway 32, resulting in a skidding and fire due to excessive braking and a failed landing maneuver. The pilot’s actions of landing too fast on a wet runway exacerbated the situation.
Description
Capital flight 983 touched down on the Charleston runway 32. The captain found braking to be ineffective and chose to groundloop the aircraft. During this manoeuvre the Constellation skidded and slid down a steep embankment. The aircraft caught fire. PROBABLE CAUSE: “The pilot’s action of landing the aircraft too fast on the wet runway under conditions conducive to aquaplaning, making early deceleration impossible. An additional factor was the poor co-ordination of the crew throughout the approach and landing.”
Primary Cause
Pilot’s action of landing too fast on the wet runway under conditions conducive to aquaplaning.Pilot’s action of landing too fast on the wet runway under conditions conducive to aquaplaning.Share on:
