Narrative:
The DC-6 was on its 4th attempt to land at New York-Idlewild when it struck the pier which supported the left row of runway 04 slope line approach lights. The aircraft crashed in flames and sank in Jamaica Bay. The aircraft was on a flight from Roma-Ciampino to New York via Milan, Paris, Shannon, Gander and Boston.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "An erratic approach which resulted in a descent to an altitude too low to avoid striking the pier. A contributing factor to this accident was pilot fatigue due to the particular and difficult circumstances."
Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) - Ground
» ICAO Accident Digest, Circular 47-AN/42 (197-204)
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Saturday 18 December 1954 |
| Time: | 14:00 |
| Type: |  Douglas DC-6B |
| Operator: | Linee Aeree Italiane - LAI |
| Registration: | I-LINE |
| MSN: | 44418/487 |
| First flight: | 1954 |
| Engines: | 4 Pratt & Whitney R-2800 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 10 / Occupants: 10 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 16 / Occupants: 22 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 26 / Occupants: 32 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | near New York-Idlewild International Airport, NY (IDL) ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Approach (APR) |
| Nature: | Domestic Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Boston Airport, MA (BOS/KBOS), United States of America |
| New York-Idlewild International Airport, NY (IDL/KIDL), United States of America | |
| Flightnumber: | 451 |
The DC-6 was on its 4th attempt to land at New York-Idlewild when it struck the pier which supported the left row of runway 04 slope line approach lights. The aircraft crashed in flames and sank in Jamaica Bay. The aircraft was on a flight from Roma-Ciampino to New York via Milan, Paris, Shannon, Gander and Boston.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "An erratic approach which resulted in a descent to an altitude too low to avoid striking the pier. A contributing factor to this accident was pilot fatigue due to the particular and difficult circumstances."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
Insufficient rest / fatigueControlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) - Ground
Sources:
» L'Unitá 19-12-1954» ICAO Accident Digest, Circular 47-AN/42 (197-204)
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 Boston Airport, MA to New York-Idlewild International Airport, NY as the crow flies is 298 km (186 miles).
Distance from Boston Airport, MA to New York-Idlewild International Airport, NY as the crow flies is 298 km (186 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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Douglas DC-6
- 704 built
- 21st loss
- 16th fatal accident
- 11th worst accident (at the time)
- 37th worst accident (currently)
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