Martin 2-0-2 – N93039 – Air Crash Data

Incident Overview

Date: Monday 5 November 1951

Aircraft Type: Martin 2-0-2

Owner/operator: Transocean Air Lines

Registration Number: N93039

Location: Tucumcari Airport, NM (TCC) – ÿ United States of America

Phase of Flight: Approach

Status: Destroyed, written off

Casualties: Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 29

Component Affected: Aircraft Control Systems (specifically, the descent control system and the pilot’s actions during the reduced visibility).Aircraft Control Systems (specifically, the descent control system and the pilot’s actions during the reduced visibility).

Investigating Agency: CABCAB

Category: Accident

Flight CAM5763, a military contract flight, experienced a significant incident during its routine flight from Oakland, California, to Albuquerque, New Mexico. The flight was delayed due to a mechanical issue, ultimately departing at 03:52 instead of 02:00. Upon reaching its destination, the flight reported a takeoff altitude of 500 feet and an estimated Albuquerque destination of 08:11. Following this, the pilot requested a change of flight plan to Tucumcari, Texas, as an alternate. The flight then encountered deteriorating weather conditions, including reduced visibility and snow, and subsequently descended to 8,000 feet. A descent to 8,000 feet was initiated, and the pilot advised a diversion to Amarillo, Texas. At 09:07, clearance was granted for a standard instrument approach. During the approach, visibility decreased to half a mile, and Tucumcari Airport issued a warning regarding potential diversion. The aircraft then crossed the field in a northwesterly direction at low altitude, and at 09:25, the pilot advised landing downwind. A flash fire occurred immediately after impact, which rapidly subsided. The probable cause was determined to be the pilot’s attempt to land during insufficient visibility, resulting in a crash near the northeast end of runway 21.Flight CAM5763, a military contract flight, experienced a significant incident during its routine flight from Oakland, California, to Albuquerque, New Mexico. The flight was delayed due to a mechanical issue, ultimately departing at 03:52 instead of 02:00. Upon reaching its destination, the flight reported a takeoff altitude of 500 feet and an estimated Albuquerque destination of 08:11. Following this, the pilot requested a change of flight plan to Tucumcari, Texas, as an alternate. The flight then encountered deteriorating weather conditions, including reduced visibility and snow, and subsequently descended to 8,000 feet. A descent to 8,000 feet was initiated, and the pilot advised a diversion to Amarillo, Texas. At 09:07, clearance was granted for a standard instrument approach. During the approach, visibility decreased to half a mile, and Tucumcari Airport issued a warning regarding potential diversion. The aircraft then crossed the field in a northwesterly direction at low altitude, and at 09:25, the pilot advised landing downwind. A flash fire occurred immediately after impact, which rapidly subsided. The probable cause was determined to be the pilot’s attempt to land during insufficient visibility, resulting in a crash near the northeast end of runway 21.

Description

Flight CAM5763, a military contract flight, originated in Oakland, California, with Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, as its destination. It was scheduled to depart Oakland at 02:00 but due to a mechanical delay, departure was not made until 03:52. The flight was routine and on reaching Acomita, New Mexico, at 07:55, reported that it was 500 on top at 12,000 feet and was estimating Albuquerque at 08:11. Following this report the flight asked to change its flight plan to Tucumcari with Amarillo, Texas, the alternate. The flight passed over Albuquerque under broken clouds in the clear at 12,000 feet MSL at 08:13. At 08:31, the flight reported being over Anton Chico, New Mexico, at 13,000 feet, estimating Tucumcari at 08:52. At this time the 08:28 Tucumcari weather was given the flight as; ceiling estimated 1,000 feet, overcast, visibility 3 miles, snow and fog. Near Tucumcari a descent to 8,000 feet was initiated. In the meantime weather at Tucumcari Airport was deteriorating, with the visibility now being one mile, which was less than the CAA and company minimums of 1 1/2 miles for the Tucumcari Airport. At 09:07 CAM5763, clearance was given for a standard instrument approach. During the descent the visibility had decreased to half a mile. Suggestions by Tucumcari to divert to Amarillo or another airport nearby were turned down by the pilot. During the first approach the aircraft was then seen to cross the field in a northwesterly direction at very low altitude. At 09:25, the flight advised it was landing downwind. This was the last report received from the flight. After several passes over the airport at altitudes varying from 500 feet to as low as 50 feet, the aircraft crashed near the northeast end of runway 21 at approximately 09:29. A flash fire which occurred immediately after impact quickly subsided. PROBABLE CAUSE: “The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the captains attempt to land during less than minimum visibility, rather than proceed to his alternate.”

Primary Cause

Insufficient visibility conditions during descent, leading to a landing attempt.Insufficient visibility conditions during descent, leading to a landing attempt.

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