Narrative:
The Super Constellation was approaching Manhattan runway 21 (VFR) with flaps at 100% and an airspeed of 120 knots. At a height of 170 feet agl the right wing dropped and the aircraft yawed right. Power was added to all four engines, but the plane didn't recover and struck the ground 546 feet short of the runway. The Constellation struck a 3,5 feet high ridge of earth, shearing off the nose- and right main gear legs.
It appeared that the no. 3 prop was in reverse pitch angle on impact; the threaded brake cage locking bolts were missing from the propeller and the cage was backed off 3 full threads from the normal setting. This excessive brake clearance thus obtained rendered the brake propeller control function incapable if normal operations.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The in-flight reversal of the no. 3 propeller due to a propeller power unit malfunction, resulting from improper maintenance practices and inspection procedures."
Engine reverse issue
Loss of control
» ICAO Accident Digest No.15 - Volume I, Circular 78-AN/66 (93-100)
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Tuesday 28 May 1963 |
| Time: | 17:46 |
| Type: |  Lockheed L-1049G Super Constellation |
| Operator: | Standard Airways |
| Registration: | N189S |
| MSN: | 4541 |
| First flight: | 1954 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 19803 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 6 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 64 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 70 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | Manhattan Municipal, KS ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Approach (APR) |
| Nature: | Domestic Non Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Daggett-Barstow-Daggett Airport, CA (DAG/KDAG), United States of America |
| Manhattan Municipal Airport, KS (MHK/KMHK), United States of America | |
| Flightnumber: | 338C |
The Super Constellation was approaching Manhattan runway 21 (VFR) with flaps at 100% and an airspeed of 120 knots. At a height of 170 feet agl the right wing dropped and the aircraft yawed right. Power was added to all four engines, but the plane didn't recover and struck the ground 546 feet short of the runway. The Constellation struck a 3,5 feet high ridge of earth, shearing off the nose- and right main gear legs.
It appeared that the no. 3 prop was in reverse pitch angle on impact; the threaded brake cage locking bolts were missing from the propeller and the cage was backed off 3 full threads from the normal setting. This excessive brake clearance thus obtained rendered the brake propeller control function incapable if normal operations.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The in-flight reversal of the no. 3 propeller due to a propeller power unit malfunction, resulting from improper maintenance practices and inspection procedures."
Accident investigation:
|
Classification:
Engine reverse issue
Loss of control
Sources:
» CAB Accident Report File no. 1-0007» ICAO Accident Digest No.15 - Volume I, Circular 78-AN/66 (93-100)
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 Daggett-Barstow-Daggett Airport, CA to Manhattan Municipal Airport, KS as the crow flies is 1832 km (1145 miles).
Distance from Daggett-Barstow-Daggett Airport, CA to Manhattan Municipal Airport, KS as the crow flies is 1832 km (1145 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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