Narrative:
The Constellation sank back after takeoff, impacted trees and broke up. A fire erupted. The aircraft was engaged in spraying pesticides to control spruce budworm in the Quebec wilderness.
It is concluded that after takeoff the flaps were inadvertently selected up. The selection was made at a lower than normal altitude and prior to obtaining the minimum flap retraction speed. A sink rate developed, which the pilot recognized and tried to correct by rotating the aircraft. When this failed to arrest the sink rate, the pilots realized the flaps were up or coming up, and then reselected the flaps to the takeoff position. By this time, however, it was too late to avoid ground contact.
CAUSE: Deliberate or inadvertent retraction of flaps prematurely.
Crew fatigue.
» Queen of the Sky: 1973 airliner crash lures Orlèans pilot deep into Quebec bush (Ottawa Citizen, 24-4-2015)
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Saturday 9 June 1973 |
| Time: | 06:11 |
| Type: |  Lockheed L-1049H Super Constellation |
| Operator: | Aircraft Specialties |
| Registration: | N173W |
| MSN: | 4674 |
| First flight: | 1957 |
| Engines: | 4 Wright R-3350 (988TC18) |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Aircraft fate: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | 1,9 km (1.2 mls) SW of Casey Airport, QC ( Canada)
|
| Crash site elevation: | 393 m (1289 feet) amsl |
| Phase: | Initial climb (ICL) |
| Nature: | Agricultural |
| Departure airport: | Casey, QC, Canada |
| Casey, QC, Canada |
The Constellation sank back after takeoff, impacted trees and broke up. A fire erupted. The aircraft was engaged in spraying pesticides to control spruce budworm in the Quebec wilderness.
It is concluded that after takeoff the flaps were inadvertently selected up. The selection was made at a lower than normal altitude and prior to obtaining the minimum flap retraction speed. A sink rate developed, which the pilot recognized and tried to correct by rotating the aircraft. When this failed to arrest the sink rate, the pilots realized the flaps were up or coming up, and then reselected the flaps to the takeoff position. By this time, however, it was too late to avoid ground contact.
Probable Cause:
CAUSE: Deliberate or inadvertent retraction of flaps prematurely.
Crew fatigue.
Sources:
» NTSB» Queen of the Sky: 1973 airliner crash lures Orlèans pilot deep into Quebec bush (Ottawa Citizen, 24-4-2015)
Photos
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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