Narrative:
A Douglas DC-6B passenger plane was destroyed in an accident shortly after takeoff from Shannon Airport (SNN), Ireland. All 77 passengers and six crew members were killed.
The DC-6 operated on a non-scheduled flight from Düsseldorf, Germany to Chicago, IL, USA with refueling stops at Shannon, Ireland and Gander, Canada.
The flight took off from Shannon's runway 24 for the night time transatlantic flight leg to Gander. The crew were cleared for a right-hand turn following takeoff. The plane, however, made a left-hand turn with a bank angle increasing to 90 degrees or more. The plane then fell into the River Shannon, 5000 feet from the runway end.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "Failure of the captain to maintain control of the aircraft after becoming airborne due to either: 1) a defective artificial horizon; and/or 2) a fault in the right-hand aileron tabs. Contributory causes could have been unsuitable weather conditions and possible crew fatigue."
accident date: 10-09-1961
type: Douglas DC-6B
registration: N90773
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Sunday 10 September 1961 |
| Type: |  Douglas DC-6B |
| Operator: | President Airlines |
| Registration: | N90773 |
| MSN: | 44058/365 |
| First flight: | 1953 |
| Engines: | 4 Pratt & Whitney R-2800 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 6 / Occupants: 6 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 77 / Occupants: 77 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 83 / Occupants: 83 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Aircraft fate: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | 1,5 km (0.9 mls) S off Shannon Airport (SNN) ( Ireland)
|
| Phase: | Initial climb (ICL) |
| Nature: | Int'l Non Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Shannon Airport (SNN/EINN), Ireland |
| Gander Airport, NL (YQX/CYQX), Canada |
A Douglas DC-6B passenger plane was destroyed in an accident shortly after takeoff from Shannon Airport (SNN), Ireland. All 77 passengers and six crew members were killed.
The DC-6 operated on a non-scheduled flight from Düsseldorf, Germany to Chicago, IL, USA with refueling stops at Shannon, Ireland and Gander, Canada.
The flight took off from Shannon's runway 24 for the night time transatlantic flight leg to Gander. The crew were cleared for a right-hand turn following takeoff. The plane, however, made a left-hand turn with a bank angle increasing to 90 degrees or more. The plane then fell into the River Shannon, 5000 feet from the runway end.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "Failure of the captain to maintain control of the aircraft after becoming airborne due to either: 1) a defective artificial horizon; and/or 2) a fault in the right-hand aileron tabs. Contributory causes could have been unsuitable weather conditions and possible crew fatigue."
Classification:
Loss of control
Sources:
» ICAO Accident Digest No.14 Volume I, Circular 71-AN/63 (7-8)Photos
accident date: 10-09-1961
type: Douglas DC-6B
registration: N90773
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 Shannon Airport to Gander Airport, NL as the crow flies is 3156 km (1972 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
Distance from Shannon Airport to Gander Airport, NL as the crow flies is 3156 km (1972 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
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: 
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Douglas DC-6
- 704 built
- 51st loss
- 37th fatal accident
- The worst accident (at the time)
- 3rd worst accident (currently)
Ireland- The worst accident
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