Date:	Saturday 18 December 1954
Time:	14:00
Type:	Douglas DC-6B
Owner/operator:	Linee Aeree Italiane - LAI
Registration:	I-LINE
MSN:	44418/487
Year of manufacture:	1954
Engine model:	Pratt & Whitney R-2800
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 26 / Occupants: 32
Aircraft damage:	Destroyed, written off
Category:	Accident
Location:	near New York-Idlewild International Airport, NY (IDL) -   United States of America
Phase:	Approach
Nature:	Passenger - Scheduled
Departure airport:	Boston Airport, MA (BOS/KBOS)
Destination airport:	New York-Idlewild International Airport, NY (IDL/KIDL)
Investigating agency:	CAB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
The DC-6 was on its 4th attempt to land at New York-Idlewild when it struck the pier which supported the left row of runway 04 slope line approach lights. The aircraft crashed in flames and sank in Jamaica Bay. The aircraft was on a flight from Roma-Ciampino to New York via Milan, Paris, Shannon, Gander and Boston.

PROBABLE CAUSE: "An erratic approach which resulted in a descent to an altitude too low to avoid striking the pier. A contributing factor to this accident was pilot fatigue due to the particular and difficult circumstances."

L'Unitá 19-12-1954
ICAO Accident Digest, Circular 47-AN/42 (197-204)

Date/time	Contributor	Updates