Accident
Last updated: 24 May 2013
| Status: | Definitief |
| Datum: | 01 NOV 1949 |
| Tijd: | 11:46 |
| Type: | Douglas C-54B-10-DO |
| Luchtvaartmaatschappij: | Eastern Air Lines |
| Registratie: | N88727 |
| Constructienummer: | 18365 |
| Bouwjaar: | 1944 |
| Aantal vlieguren: | 12161 |
| Bemanning: | slachtoffers: 4 / inzittenden: 4 |
| Passagiers: | slachtoffers: 51 / inzittenden: 51 |
| Totaal: | slachtoffers: 55 / inzittenden: 55 |
| Schade: | Afgeschreven |
| Gevolgen: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Plaats: | 0,8 km (0.5 mijl) SW of Washington-National Airport, DC (DCA) (Verenigde Staten)
 |
| Fase: | Nadering (APR) |
| Soort vlucht: | Binnenlandse lijnvlucht |
| Vliegveld van vertrek: | New York-La Guardia Airport, NY (LGA/KLGA), Verenigde Staten |
| Washington-National Airport, DC (DCA/KDCA), Verenigde Staten | |
| Vluchtnummer: | 537 |
At 11:37 A Bolivian Air Force Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter (NX26927) took off from runway 03 at Washington-National Airport, DC (DCA). The pilot was carrying out an acceptance test flight. Because of erratic operation of the right hand engine, the pilot decided to land as soon as possible.
When abeam runway 36 the pilot transmitted, "Washington Tower, this is Bolivian P-38. I got engine trouble request landing instructions." Waiting for instructions he circled the field. When he was between Bolling Field and the National Airport and at about 3,500 feet altitude, the tower asked, "Bolivian P-38, you were asking landing instructions?" The Bolivian pilot answered, "Yes, I have engine trouble. I am in a hurry," and that the tower at that time responded, "Bolivian P-38 cleared to land number two on runway 3."
Number one on the approach was Eastern Air Lines flight 537, a Douglas C-54. Because the P-38 was descending above and behind the C-54, it was then told to enter the left traffic pattern and to land behind the C-54. This message was never confirmed, nor complied with. The tower then switched to the Eastern aircraft and told it to turn left. When turning left, half a mile short of the runway at an altitude of 300 feet, both aircraft collided and crashed. The pilot of the P-38 survived with serious injuries.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The execution of a straight-in final approach by the P-38 pilot without obtaining proper clearance to land and without exercising necessary vigilance." Bronnen:
» CAB File No. 1-0138
» ICAO Aircraft Accident Digest, Circular 18-AN/15 (60-63)
Sample newspaper article from Newspaperarchive.com
Foto's
Kaart
Deze kaart geeft het vliegveld van vetrek weer en de geplande bestemming van de vlucht. De lijn tussen de vliegvelden geeft niet de exacte vliegroute weer.
De afstand tussen New York-La Guardia Airport, NY en Washington-National Airport, DC bedraagt 342 km (214 miles).
De afstand tussen New York-La Guardia Airport, NY en Washington-National Airport, DC bedraagt 342 km (214 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
languages:
Verenigde Staten
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Douglas DC-4
- 110e ongeval
- 1242+ built
- zwaarste ongeval (toen het plaatsvond)
- 15e zwaarste ongeval (op dit moment)
Verenigde Staten- zwaarste ongeval (toen het plaatsvond)
- 53e zwaarste ongeval (op dit moment)