Narrative:
The Boeing 707 N7071 was operating on a customer guarantee and acceptance training flight prior to delivery of the plane to Braniff. The plane was being flown by a Braniff captain and a Boeing testpilot as instructor. Other Braniff and Boeing personnel were on board as crew members and observers. A series of Dutch Rolls were performed; one of the rolls was executed beyond the maximum bank restrictions. Control was lost, but the aircraft recovered. During the recovery however, the no. 1, 2 and 4 engines were torn off. An intense fire burned away portions of the jet control near the no. 2 engine attachment area. An emergency descent was carried out and the plane crash-landed along river.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The structural failure induced during an improper recovery attempt from a Dutch Roll which exceeded the angle-of-bank limits prescribed by the company."
Loss of control
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Monday 19 October 1959 |
| Time: | 16:20 |
| Type: | Boeing 707-227 |
| Operator: | Boeing |
| Registration: | N7071 |
| MSN: | 17691/45 |
| First flight: | 1959-06-11 (4 months) |
| Total airframe hrs: | 173 |
| Engines: | 4 Pratt & Whitney JT4A-3 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 8 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 8 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | 16 km (10 mls) NE of Arlington, WA ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Maneuvering (MNV) |
| Nature: | Training |
| Departure airport: | Seattle-Boeing Field International Airport, WA (BFI/KBFI), United States of America |
| Seattle-Boeing Field International Airport, WA (BFI/KBFI), United States of America |
The Boeing 707 N7071 was operating on a customer guarantee and acceptance training flight prior to delivery of the plane to Braniff. The plane was being flown by a Braniff captain and a Boeing testpilot as instructor. Other Braniff and Boeing personnel were on board as crew members and observers. A series of Dutch Rolls were performed; one of the rolls was executed beyond the maximum bank restrictions. Control was lost, but the aircraft recovered. During the recovery however, the no. 1, 2 and 4 engines were torn off. An intense fire burned away portions of the jet control near the no. 2 engine attachment area. An emergency descent was carried out and the plane crash-landed along river.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The structural failure induced during an improper recovery attempt from a Dutch Roll which exceeded the angle-of-bank limits prescribed by the company."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
Engine separationLoss of control
Sources:
» ICAO Accident Digest, Circular 62-AN/57 (190-194)Photos
Map
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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Boeing 707
- 858 built
- 2nd loss
- 2nd fatal accident
- 2nd worst accident (at the time)
- 61st worst accident (currently)
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