Douglas DC-7

San Juan-Luis Muñoz Marín (Isla Verde)

Operator:

American Express Leasing

Registration:

N500AE

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Humanitarian

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Miami - San Juan - Managua

MSN:

45130

YOM:

1957

Location:

All Puerto Rico

Country:

Puerto Rico

Region:

Central America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

12400

Captain / Total hours on type:

3000.00

Circumstances:

The four engine airplane was engaged in a humanitarian flight from Miami to Managua with an intermediate stop in San Juan, carrying three crew members, two passengers (among them the famous American Baseball player Roberto Clemente aged 38) and various goods for the victims of the recent earthquake in Nicaragua. The crew was cleared to takeoff from runway 08 at 1920LT. After rotation, the crew was instructed to turn to left according to departure procedures. Three minutes after takeoff, while in initial climb by night, the airplane suffered various technical problems, lost height, stalled and crashed into the sea few hundred meters offshore. Some debris were found floating on water and all five occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the loss of control was caused by the failure of the engine n°2 and a loss of power on engine n°3. The failure of the engine n°2 was caused by engine structure problems with master and connecting rods, cylinder assembly and piston rings. Investigations also determined that the aircraft was not properly maintained and inspected in accordance with the rules in force. Also, the flight engineer was not qualified for this type of aircraft. The following factors were reported:
- The aircraft was overloaded by 4,193 pounds (1,902 kg),
- Improperly loaded aircraft,
- Powerplant structure,
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection,
- Deficiency in the company maintenance program, violating services regulation,
- Previous damages.

Ground accident of a Douglas DC-7 in Madrid

Date & Time: Oct 2, 1970

Type of aircraft:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Operator:

Registration:

EC-ATQ

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

45162

YOM:

1957

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Suffered a ground accident at Madrid-Barajas Airport. No casualties.

Crash of a Douglas DC-7CF in Abidjan

Date & Time: Jul 26, 1970 at 1445 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

ARCO Bermuda

Registration:

VR-BCT

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Ferry

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Kinshasa – Abidjan – Dakar – Agadir – Basel – Liverpool

MSN:

44875/668

YOM:

1956

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was completing a ferry flight from Kinshasa to Liverpool with several intermediate stops in Abidjan, Dakar, Agadir and Basel. The purpose of the flight was for maintenance as the n°4 engine was inoperative. En route, while cruising on the three remaining engines, the crew informed ATC that the engine n°3 caught fire. While descending to an altitude of 6,000 feet, the engine n°3 exploded and detached. The crew continued the approach but was unable to lower the undercarriage. A belly landing was completed at Abidjan Airport and the airplane slid on several dozen meters before coming to rest. All four crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Fire and explosion on engine n°3 which detached in flight.

Crash of a Douglas DC-7B in Eket: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jun 5, 1969

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

SE-ERP

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Humanitarian

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Fernando Po - Uli

MSN:

45401/872

YOM:

1957

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The aircraft departed Fernando Po (Equatorial Guinea) on a humanitarian flight to Uli, carrying various goods on behalf of the International Red Cross Committee of the Red Cross. While in cruising altitude, the four engine aircraft was shot down by the pilot of a Nigerian Air Force MiG-17 and crashed. All four crew members were killed.

Crash of a Douglas DC-7C in Uli: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 7, 1968

Type of aircraft:

North American Aircraft Trading

Operator:

Registration:

VR-BCY

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

São Tomé – Uli

MSN:

45545

YOM:

1958

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was completing a cargo flight from São Tomé to Uli on behalf of Caritas. On final approach, the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances few km short of runway and was destroyed. All four occupants were killed. It is believed that one of the engine was inoperative at the time of the accident for unknown reason.

Crash of a Douglas DC-7CF at Cherry Point MCAS

Date & Time: Sep 27, 1968 at 0241 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N7466

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Cherry Point MCAS (Cunningham Field)

MSN:

45090

YOM:

1956

Location:

North Carolina

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

14549

Captain / Total hours on type:

2461.00

Circumstances:

The crew was performing a cargo flight to Cherry Point MCAS on behalf of the US Air Force. On final approach by night, the visibility was limited due to foggy conditions. The crew continued the approach below the glide until the airplane struck trees and crashed in flames. All three crew members were injured while the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

The accident was probably caused by the combination of the following factors:
- Improper IFR operation,
- The pilot-in-command failed to follow the approved procedures,
- Limited visibility due to low ceiling and fog,
- The pilot did not initiate a go-around when runway was not in sight,
- The copilot did not warn the pilot about weather minimus.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-7BF in Philadelphia

Date & Time: Jul 2, 1968 at 1811 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N762Z

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Norfolk – Philadelphia

MSN:

44922

YOM:

1956

Location:

Philadelphia

Pennsylvania

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

19616

Captain / Total hours on type:

7095.00

Circumstances:

The crew was completing a cargo flight from Norfolk to Philadelphia on behalf of the US Air Force. After touchdown on wet runway 09/27 at Philadelphia-Intl Airport, the crew encountered difficulties to decelerate properly. The four engine aircraft suffered hydroplaning then went out of control and veered off runway to the right. While contacting soft ground, the undercarriage collapsed and the right wing was torn off. The airplane came to rest in flames and was destroyed by a post crash fire while all three crew members escaped uninjured.

Probable cause:

The accident was the consequence of the following factors:
- The crew failed to maintain directional control,
- Improper operation of powerplant,
- Asymmetrical thrust reversal,
- Wet runway,
- Hydroplaning,
- Overload failure,
- Asymmetrical power applied during reversing phase of landing due to n° 1 prop circuit breaker deactivated.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-7B in Munich

Date & Time: Jan 20, 1968

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

SE-ERC

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Ankara - Munich

MSN:

45088/723

YOM:

1956

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Upon landing at Munich-Riem Airport, the nose gear collapsed. The airplane slid for several yards before coming to rest. None of the 36 occupants was injured while the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Nose gear collapsed on landing.

Crash of a Douglas DC-7CF in Saigon

Date & Time: Dec 30, 1966 at 1719 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N4059K

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site: