Narrative:
Northwest Flight 307 originated in Washington at 12:30 destined for Winnipeg, Canada. Scheduled intermediate stops included Detroit, Madison, Rochester and Minneapolis. Flight 307 arrived over Rochester at 20:23, and because there was light freezing rain, did not land and continued to Minneapolis. At 20:41
the tower advised Flight 307 of existing, weather conditions: a precipitation ceiling of 900 feet, visibility variable 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile, and the wind from the north at 27 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. The tower informed the flight that there had been two electric power failures at the field, and that if no further communication were received from the tower, it would be in all probability the result of another power failure. After reporting over the outer marker, which was 4.7 miles south of the approach end of runway 35, the Martin was cleared to land. The approach was probably flown visually and the airplane descended below the ILS glide path. At a height of 70 feet the airplane struck a flagpole near the entrance of the National Soldiers Cemetery. This pole, probably obscured by snow, was 4,180 feet south of the approach end of runway 35 and 650 feet west of the center line of that runway. From this point the Martin turned left, passing over the airport control tower which was located 1.6 miles north of the flagpole. The aircraft then flew northwesterly 3.8 miles where the left wing section became totally separated from the aircraft and dropped to the foot of Washburn Park water tower. Then the aircraft progressed westerly an additional 2,640 feet before striking the residence located at 1116 West Minnehaha Highway. A fire which started immediately after the crash consumed the house and much of the aircraft wreckage. Two of the occupants of the house were killed.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The attempt to complete a landing approach by visual means during which time visual reference to the ground was lost."
Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) - Ground
NC93050
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Tuesday 7 March 1950 |
| Time: | 20:59 |
| Type: |  Martin 2-0-2 |
| Operator: | Northwest Orient Airlines |
| Registration: | NC93050 |
| MSN: | 9134 |
| First flight: | 1948 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 10 / Occupants: 10 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 13 / Occupants: 13 |
| Ground casualties: | Fatalities: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | 5 km (3.1 mls) NW of Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, MN (MSP) ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Approach (APR) |
| Nature: | Domestic Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Madison Regional Airport, WI (MSN/KMSN), United States of America |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport/Wold-Chamberlain Field, MN (MSP/KMSP), United States of America | |
| Flightnumber: | 307 |
Northwest Flight 307 originated in Washington at 12:30 destined for Winnipeg, Canada. Scheduled intermediate stops included Detroit, Madison, Rochester and Minneapolis. Flight 307 arrived over Rochester at 20:23, and because there was light freezing rain, did not land and continued to Minneapolis. At 20:41
the tower advised Flight 307 of existing, weather conditions: a precipitation ceiling of 900 feet, visibility variable 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile, and the wind from the north at 27 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. The tower informed the flight that there had been two electric power failures at the field, and that if no further communication were received from the tower, it would be in all probability the result of another power failure. After reporting over the outer marker, which was 4.7 miles south of the approach end of runway 35, the Martin was cleared to land. The approach was probably flown visually and the airplane descended below the ILS glide path. At a height of 70 feet the airplane struck a flagpole near the entrance of the National Soldiers Cemetery. This pole, probably obscured by snow, was 4,180 feet south of the approach end of runway 35 and 650 feet west of the center line of that runway. From this point the Martin turned left, passing over the airport control tower which was located 1.6 miles north of the flagpole. The aircraft then flew northwesterly 3.8 miles where the left wing section became totally separated from the aircraft and dropped to the foot of Washburn Park water tower. Then the aircraft progressed westerly an additional 2,640 feet before striking the residence located at 1116 West Minnehaha Highway. A fire which started immediately after the crash consumed the house and much of the aircraft wreckage. Two of the occupants of the house were killed.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The attempt to complete a landing approach by visual means during which time visual reference to the ground was lost."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
VFR flight in IMC Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) - Ground
Sources:
» CAB File No. 1-0031Photos
NC93050
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 Madison Regional Airport, WI to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport/Wold-Chamberlain Field, MN as the crow flies is 363 km (227 miles).
Accident location: Exact; deduced from official accident report.
Distance from Madison Regional Airport, WI to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport/Wold-Chamberlain Field, MN as the crow flies is 363 km (227 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.
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Martin 2-0-2
- 43 built
- 2nd loss
- 2nd fatal accident
- 2nd worst accident (at the time)
- 5th worst accident (currently)
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