Narrative:
At 06:38, following a period of engine rump on the parking ramp, the Lodestar pilot called the King Salmon tower for taxi and takeoff information. The duty controller cleared it to runway 11 and furnished the latest wind and altimeter conditions: Wind east-northeast 8; altimeter 29.90. N45378 was cleared directly onto runway 11 where several persons saw it pause one to two minutes and heard its propellers run through one or two times. The takeoff was started at 06:42 and the aircraft took off and climbed to between 75 and 100 feet. The landing gear remained extended during that climb. The climb continued normally although somewhat steeper to between 150 and 200 feet, at which time the climb of the aircraft steepened rapidly but smoothly until it was nearly vertical. At the peak of the climb the aircraft pivoted counterclockwise, plunged to the ground, and exploded. An intense fuel-fed fire followed.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the pilots action in taking off with the elevator trim tab positioned for landing."
Loss of control
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Wednesday 10 July 1957 |
| Time: | 06:42 |
| Type: |  Lockheed 18-56-23 Lodestar |
| Operator: | C. R. Vose Company |
| Registration: | N45378 |
| MSN: | 18-2506 |
| First flight: | 1943 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 4181 |
| Engines: | 2 Wright R-1820-72 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 4 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 6 / Occupants: 6 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | King Salmon Airport, AK (AKN) ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Initial climb (ICL) |
| Nature: | Executive |
| Departure airport: | King Salmon Airport, AK (AKN/PAKN), United States of America |
| Anchorage (unknown airport), AK, United States of America |
At 06:38, following a period of engine rump on the parking ramp, the Lodestar pilot called the King Salmon tower for taxi and takeoff information. The duty controller cleared it to runway 11 and furnished the latest wind and altimeter conditions: Wind east-northeast 8; altimeter 29.90. N45378 was cleared directly onto runway 11 where several persons saw it pause one to two minutes and heard its propellers run through one or two times. The takeoff was started at 06:42 and the aircraft took off and climbed to between 75 and 100 feet. The landing gear remained extended during that climb. The climb continued normally although somewhat steeper to between 150 and 200 feet, at which time the climb of the aircraft steepened rapidly but smoothly until it was nearly vertical. At the peak of the climb the aircraft pivoted counterclockwise, plunged to the ground, and exploded. An intense fuel-fed fire followed.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the pilots action in taking off with the elevator trim tab positioned for landing."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
Wrong takeoff configuration (flaps/trim) Loss of control
Sources:
» CAB File No. 2-0030Photos
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.
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