Narrative:
The pilot lost control of the aircraft when performing a go-around in bad weather (200 feet ceiling, light rain and fog). The Convair crashed nearly inverted on a hangar.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "Spatial disorientation of the captain precipitated by atmospheric refraction of either the approach lights or landing lights at a critical point in the approach wherein the crew was transitioning between flying by reference to flight instruments and by visual reference to the ground."
Loss of control
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Friday 27 December 1968 |
| Time: | 20:22 |
| Type: |  Convair CV-580 |
| Operator: | North Central Airlines |
| Registration: | N2045 |
| MSN: | 369 |
| First flight: | 1956 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 4 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 24 / Occupants: 41 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 27 / Occupants: 45 |
| Ground casualties: | Fatalities: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | Chicago-O'Hare International Airport, IL (ORD) ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Approach (APR) |
| Nature: | Domestic Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Milwaukee-General Mitchell Airport, WI (MKE/KMKE), United States of America |
| Chicago-O'Hare International Airport, IL (ORD/KORD), United States of America | |
| Flightnumber: | 458 |
The pilot lost control of the aircraft when performing a go-around in bad weather (200 feet ceiling, light rain and fog). The Convair crashed nearly inverted on a hangar.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "Spatial disorientation of the captain precipitated by atmospheric refraction of either the approach lights or landing lights at a critical point in the approach wherein the crew was transitioning between flying by reference to flight instruments and by visual reference to the ground."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
Loss of situational awarenessLoss of control
Sources:
» WCAA 2nd ed. / C.Y. KimuraFollow-up / safety actions
NTSB issued 1 Safety Recommendation
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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 Milwaukee-General Mitchell Airport, WI to Chicago-O'Hare International Airport, IL as the crow flies is 107 km (67 miles).
Distance from Milwaukee-General Mitchell Airport, WI to Chicago-O'Hare International Airport, IL as the crow flies is 107 km (67 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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Convair CV-580
- 182 built
- 6th loss
- 3rd fatal accident
- 2nd worst accident (at the time)
- 3rd worst accident (currently)
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