Narrative:
Western Air Lines Flight 34 departed from Salt Lake City (SLC) at 08:50. The Convair proceeded IFR to Rapid City Regional Airport, SD (RAP). The flight reported as being over the Wright intersection at 10:25, at 17,000 feet, estimating Rapid City at 10:50. Weather conditions in the area probably included moderate to heavy icing and moderate to severe turbulence. The Convair suddenly entered a rapid descent and struck the ground at high speed.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "A sudden emergency of undetermined origin under adverse weather conditions resulting in rapid descent and impact with the ground at high speed."
accident date: 26-02-1954
type: Convair CV-240-1
registration: N8407H
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Friday 26 February 1954 |
| Time: | 10:32 |
| Type: |  Convair CV-240-1 |
| Operator: | Western Air Lines |
| Registration: | N8407H |
| MSN: | 37 |
| First flight: | 1948 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 12145 |
| Engines: | 2 Pratt & Whitney R-2800-CB16 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 6 / Occupants: 6 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 9 / Occupants: 9 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | 31 km (19.4 mls) ENE of Wright, WY ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Domestic Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Salt Lake City International Airport, UT (SLC/KSLC), United States of America |
| Rapid City Regional Airport, SD (RAP/KRAP), United States of America | |
| Flightnumber: | 34 |
Western Air Lines Flight 34 departed from Salt Lake City (SLC) at 08:50. The Convair proceeded IFR to Rapid City Regional Airport, SD (RAP). The flight reported as being over the Wright intersection at 10:25, at 17,000 feet, estimating Rapid City at 10:50. Weather conditions in the area probably included moderate to heavy icing and moderate to severe turbulence. The Convair suddenly entered a rapid descent and struck the ground at high speed.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "A sudden emergency of undetermined origin under adverse weather conditions resulting in rapid descent and impact with the ground at high speed."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
Loss of control
Sources:
» ICAO Accident Digest, Circular 47-AN/42 (59-63)Photos
accident date: 26-02-1954
type: Convair CV-240-1
registration: N8407H
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 Salt Lake City International Airport, UT to Rapid City Regional Airport, SD as the crow flies is 811 km (507 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
Distance from Salt Lake City International Airport, UT to Rapid City Regional Airport, SD as the crow flies is 811 km (507 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
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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