Narrative:
The TWA Lockheed Starliner, named "Star of Severn", departed Rome, Italy at 15:00 hours on a flight to Chicago, USA, via Milan, Italy and Paris, France. The flight reached Milan at 16:36 after a normal flight.
The aircraft departed Malpensa Airport at 17:20 in weather conditions with scattered thunderstorms. The flight crew received clearance to the Saronno NDB, where it has to fly a climbing circuit to at least 10000 feet. It then has to proceed to the Biella NDB, which has to be reached at least 18500 feet before crossing the Alpine mountains. At 17:26 the flight reported climbing through 6000 feet in the Saronno circuit. Six minutes later they report having reached 10000 feet and continuing to Biella, which they estimate to reach at 17:45.
About 17:35 the aircraft suffered a structural failure occurred, initiated by a wing separation. The aircraft broke up and crashed, with debris scattered over an area of about 3 square kilometers.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The breaking-up in flight was due to the explosion of the fuel vapours contained in tank No.7, followed immediately by either an explosion of pressure or a further explosion in tank no.6. In the absence of other significant concrete evidence, taking into account the stormy weather conditions, with frequent electric discharges, existing in the area at the time of the crash, it may be assumed that the explosion of the fuel vapours contained in tank No.7 was set off, through the outlet pipes, by igniting of the gasoline vapours issuing from these pipes as a consequence of static electricity discharges (streamer corona) which developed on the vent outlets."
Fuel tank explosion
Loss of control
» Memorial Website
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Friday 26 June 1959 |
| Time: | 17:35 |
| Type: | Lockheed L-1649A Starliner |
| Operator: | Trans World Airlines - TWA |
| Registration: | N7313C |
| MSN: | 1015 |
| First flight: | 1957 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 6671 |
| Engines: | 4 Wright R-3350 (988TC18) |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 9 / Occupants: 9 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 59 / Occupants: 59 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 68 / Occupants: 68 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Aircraft fate: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | 32 km (20 mls) NW of Milano ( Italy)
|
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | International Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Milano-Malpensa Airport (MXP/LIMC), Italy |
| Paris-Orly Airport (ORY/LFPO), France | |
| Flightnumber: | TW891 |
The TWA Lockheed Starliner, named "Star of Severn", departed Rome, Italy at 15:00 hours on a flight to Chicago, USA, via Milan, Italy and Paris, France. The flight reached Milan at 16:36 after a normal flight.
The aircraft departed Malpensa Airport at 17:20 in weather conditions with scattered thunderstorms. The flight crew received clearance to the Saronno NDB, where it has to fly a climbing circuit to at least 10000 feet. It then has to proceed to the Biella NDB, which has to be reached at least 18500 feet before crossing the Alpine mountains. At 17:26 the flight reported climbing through 6000 feet in the Saronno circuit. Six minutes later they report having reached 10000 feet and continuing to Biella, which they estimate to reach at 17:45.
About 17:35 the aircraft suffered a structural failure occurred, initiated by a wing separation. The aircraft broke up and crashed, with debris scattered over an area of about 3 square kilometers.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The breaking-up in flight was due to the explosion of the fuel vapours contained in tank No.7, followed immediately by either an explosion of pressure or a further explosion in tank no.6. In the absence of other significant concrete evidence, taking into account the stormy weather conditions, with frequent electric discharges, existing in the area at the time of the crash, it may be assumed that the explosion of the fuel vapours contained in tank No.7 was set off, through the outlet pipes, by igniting of the gasoline vapours issuing from these pipes as a consequence of static electricity discharges (streamer corona) which developed on the vent outlets."
Classification:
LightningstrikeFuel tank explosion
Loss of control
Sources:
» ICAO Accident Digest Circular 62-AN/57 (132-152)» Memorial Website
Follow-up / safety actions
issued 2 Safety Recommendations
Show all...
Show all...
Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Milano-Malpensa Airport to Paris-Orly Airport as the crow flies is 587 km (367 miles).
Accident location: Exact; deduced from official accident report.
Distance from Milano-Malpensa Airport to Paris-Orly Airport as the crow flies is 587 km (367 miles).
Accident location: Exact; deduced from official accident report.
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: 
Italy
Share
Lockheed L-1649
- 44 built
- The first loss
- The first fatal accident
- The worst accident (at the time)
- 2nd worst accident (currently)
Italy- The worst accident (at the time)
- 4th worst accident (currently)
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
