Last updated: 24 July 2021
| Status: | Final |
| Date: | Friday 23 November 1962 |
| Time: | 12:24 |
| Type: |  Vickers 745D Viscount |
| Operator: | United Airlines |
| Registration: | N7430 |
| MSN: | 128 |
| First flight: | 1956 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 18809 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 4 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 13 / Occupants: 13 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 17 / Occupants: 17 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Aircraft fate: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | 10 km (6.3 mls) WSW of Ellicott City, MD ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Domestic Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Newark International Airport, NJ (EWR/KEWR), United States of America |
| Washington-National Airport, DC (DCA/KDCA), United States of America | |
| Flightnumber: | UA297 |
The Viscount was flying at 6000 feet, en route from Newark to Washington when it penetrated a flock of whistling swans. At least two of which were struck by the aircraft. One swan, which was struck penetrated the leading edge of the left horizontal stabilizer and egressed from the rear surface causing damage to the elevator as it did so.
This so weakened the structure that failure occurred which rendered the plane uncontrollable. The Viscount eventually struck the ground in a nose-low inverted attitude.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "A loss of control following separation of the left horizontal stabilizer which had been weakened by a collision with a whistling swan."
Classification:
Bird strike Wing failure
Loss of control
Sources:
» ICAO Accident Digest No.14 Volume I, Circular 71-AN/63 (74-79)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 Newark International Airport, NJ to Washington-National Airport, DC as the crow flies is 317 km (198 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
Distance from Newark International Airport, NJ to Washington-National Airport, DC as the crow flies is 317 km (198 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
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Vickers Viscount
- 445 built
- 41st loss
- 22nd fatal accident
- 10th worst accident (at the time)
- 39th worst accident (currently)