Narrative:
Western Flight 636 was a scheduled flight from Los Angeles to Oakland with an intermediate stop at San Francisco. The DC-6 departed San Francisco's runway 28R at 23:05 for s short VFR flight across the bay to Oakland. The flight was to remain clear of clouds at a minimum altitude of 500 feet.
The crew were cleared to enter the traffic pattern for Oakland's runway 27R, three minutes later. On approach, the aircraft descended into the bay and crashed.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The pilot's action in continuing a descent below the 500-foot prescribed minimum altitude until the aircraft struck the water. A probable contributing factor to the aircraft striking the water was the sensory illusion experienced by the pilots."
» ICAO Accident Digest Circular 39-AN/34 (67-71)
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Monday 20 April 1953 |
| Time: | 23:08 |
| Type: |  Douglas DC-6B |
| Operator: | Western Air Lines |
| Registration: | N91303 |
| MSN: | 43823/298 |
| First flight: | 1952 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 826 |
| Engines: | 4 Pratt & Whitney R-2800-CB16 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 5 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 5 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 8 / Occupants: 10 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | San Francisco Bay, CA ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Approach (APR) |
| Nature: | Domestic Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | San Francisco International Airport, CA (SFO/KSFO), United States of America |
| Oakland International Airport, CA (OAK/KOAK), United States of America | |
| Flightnumber: | 636 |
Western Flight 636 was a scheduled flight from Los Angeles to Oakland with an intermediate stop at San Francisco. The DC-6 departed San Francisco's runway 28R at 23:05 for s short VFR flight across the bay to Oakland. The flight was to remain clear of clouds at a minimum altitude of 500 feet.
The crew were cleared to enter the traffic pattern for Oakland's runway 27R, three minutes later. On approach, the aircraft descended into the bay and crashed.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The pilot's action in continuing a descent below the 500-foot prescribed minimum altitude until the aircraft struck the water. A probable contributing factor to the aircraft striking the water was the sensory illusion experienced by the pilots."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) - Water
Sources:
» CAB File No. 1-0020» ICAO Accident Digest Circular 39-AN/34 (67-71)
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 San Francisco International Airport, CA to Oakland International Airport, CA as the crow flies is 18 km (11 miles).
Distance from San Francisco International Airport, CA to Oakland International Airport, CA as the crow flies is 18 km (11 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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