Narrative:
The original destination of the Constellation, Newark, was changed to New York-LaGuardia due to poor visibility. The approach to LaGuardia was missed by half a mile. Because of a ceiling below 500 feet, the flight was cleared for a diversion to Boston. An ILS approach tot runway 04 was made and the aircraft touched down 2000 feet from the approach end. Half an inch of new snow was laying on the runway. The left main gear struck snow drifts causing the aircraft to crash into a snow bank on the left. A fire broke out on the right wing.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The loss of directional control of the aircraft on the runway due to excessive snow accumulation. A contributing factor was the lack of precaution exercised by the air carriers station manager, the Civil Aeronautics Administrations operations inspector and the airport management in determining that the conditions of the runways were adequate for safe aircraft landing."
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Wednesday 21 January 1948 |
| Time: | 04:17 |
| Type: |  Lockheed L-649 Constellation |
| Operator: | Eastern Air Lines |
| Registration: | NC111A |
| MSN: | 2532 |
| First flight: | 1947 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 1499 |
| Engines: | 4 Wright R-3350 (C18BD) |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 5 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 20 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 25 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | Boston-Logan International Airport, MA (BOS) ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Landing (LDG) |
| Nature: | Domestic Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Miami International Airport, FL (MIA/KMIA), United States of America |
| Newark International Airport, NJ (EWR/KEWR), United States of America | |
| Flightnumber: | EA604 |
The original destination of the Constellation, Newark, was changed to New York-LaGuardia due to poor visibility. The approach to LaGuardia was missed by half a mile. Because of a ceiling below 500 feet, the flight was cleared for a diversion to Boston. An ILS approach tot runway 04 was made and the aircraft touched down 2000 feet from the approach end. Half an inch of new snow was laying on the runway. The left main gear struck snow drifts causing the aircraft to crash into a snow bank on the left. A fire broke out on the right wing.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The loss of directional control of the aircraft on the runway due to excessive snow accumulation. A contributing factor was the lack of precaution exercised by the air carriers station manager, the Civil Aeronautics Administrations operations inspector and the airport management in determining that the conditions of the runways were adequate for safe aircraft landing."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
Loss of control
Sources:
» CAB File No. 1-0011Photos
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 Miami International Airport, FL to Newark International Airport, NJ as the crow flies is 1740 km (1087 miles).
Distance from Miami International Airport, FL to Newark International Airport, NJ as the crow flies is 1740 km (1087 miles).
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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