Narrative:
At 00:13 Newark Control Tower gave the flight taxi clearance to runway 24, stating the wind was south, variable at six mph, and altimeter 29.92. At approximately 00:17 the flight advised the tower that it was ready for takeoff. Takeoff clearance was issued, and the controller observed the aircraft taxi into takeoff position and proceed down the runway in a normal manner, becoming airborne at 00:18 after a roll of approximately 3,200 feet. The climb-out appeared normal until the aircraft passed the vicinity of the Newark Range Station. At that point the no. 3 propeller reversed in flight. The plane veered to the right. Since it occurred at low altitude end low airspeed the crew did not have much time to make a correct analysis of the difficulty. Their attention might well have been directed to the outboard (no. 4) engine which in the event of loss of power would produce a more severe yaw than would an inboard engine. The pilot then decided to feather the no. 4 propeller and the copilot radioed: "I lost an engine and am returning to the field." The flight was immediately cleared to land on runway 06, which clearance was at once amended to land on any runway desired. The DC-4 lost altitude and crashed in Elizabeth near the intersection of Scotland Road and Westminster Avenue.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The reversal in flight of no.3 propeller with relatively high power and the subsequent feathering of no.4 propeller resulting in a descent at an altitude too low to effect recovery."
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Monday 11 February 1952 |
| Time: | 00:20 |
| Type: |  Douglas DC-6 |
| Operator: | National Airlines |
| Registration: | N90891 |
| MSN: | 43055/37 |
| First flight: | 1947 |
| Engines: | 4 Pratt & Whitney R-2800-CA15 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 4 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 26 / Occupants: 59 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 29 / Occupants: 63 |
| Ground casualties: | Fatalities: 4 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | Newark International Airport, NJ (EWR) ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Domestic Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Newark International Airport, NJ (EWR/KEWR), United States of America |
| Miami International Airport, FL (MIA/KMIA), United States of America | |
| Flightnumber: | 101 |
At 00:13 Newark Control Tower gave the flight taxi clearance to runway 24, stating the wind was south, variable at six mph, and altimeter 29.92. At approximately 00:17 the flight advised the tower that it was ready for takeoff. Takeoff clearance was issued, and the controller observed the aircraft taxi into takeoff position and proceed down the runway in a normal manner, becoming airborne at 00:18 after a roll of approximately 3,200 feet. The climb-out appeared normal until the aircraft passed the vicinity of the Newark Range Station. At that point the no. 3 propeller reversed in flight. The plane veered to the right. Since it occurred at low altitude end low airspeed the crew did not have much time to make a correct analysis of the difficulty. Their attention might well have been directed to the outboard (no. 4) engine which in the event of loss of power would produce a more severe yaw than would an inboard engine. The pilot then decided to feather the no. 4 propeller and the copilot radioed: "I lost an engine and am returning to the field." The flight was immediately cleared to land on runway 06, which clearance was at once amended to land on any runway desired. The DC-4 lost altitude and crashed in Elizabeth near the intersection of Scotland Road and Westminster Avenue.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The reversal in flight of no.3 propeller with relatively high power and the subsequent feathering of no.4 propeller resulting in a descent at an altitude too low to effect recovery."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
» CAB File No. 1 0015Photos
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 Miami International Airport, FL as the crow flies is 1739 km (1087 miles).
Accident location: Exact; deduced from official accident report.
Distance from Newark International Airport, NJ to Miami International Airport, FL as the crow flies is 1739 km (1087 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.
languages: 
Share
Douglas DC-6
- 704 built
- 11th loss
- 7th fatal accident
- 5th worst accident (at the time)
- 31st worst accident (currently)
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
