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Posted by: J. Ritter (ritter@interserf.net) on 12/04/1997@22:32hrs:
Posting a question as morbid as this was misfortunate during such as festive holiday season. I was aware of this as soon as I saw the first response (Carol). On the other hand this may well help remember the day and those who were lost. Our overall aviation safety record, even with recent high interest is outstanding. During the next few years the FAA will spend enormous amounts of money to upgrade systems designed to prevent accidents such as these from happening in the next century. Staten Island’s involvement in this incident was caused by both pilot heroism and pilot failure! In 1960 there were 93 reportable incidents of this type, in the last year with full records (1993) there were only 60 crashes reported and much less loss of life. Event facts follow:
16.12.60 (10.33) McDonnell Douglas DC- 8-11
N8013U (45290/22) United Air Lines
occupants : 7 crew + 77 passengers = 84.
fatalities: 7 crew + 77 passengers = 84.
3rd party fatalities: 49
location: New York (USA)
nature: Scheduled Passenger phase: Initial Approa
flight UA826 -
16.12.60 (10.33) Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation
N9607C (4021) Trans World Airlines - TWA
occupants : 5 crew + 39 passengers = 44.
fatalities: 5 crew + 39 passengers = 44.
3rd party fatalities: 89
location: Miller Army Air Station (USA)
nature: Scheduled Passenger phase: Initial Approa
flight TW266 - New York-La Guardia APT
United flight 826 was approaching New York IAP after a flight
from Chicago. At the same time TWA 266 approached New
York-LaGuardia in IFR. The DC-8 proceeded beyond it's clearing
limit, which resulted in crossing the flightpath of the TWA plane. At
5000ft the right side (no.4 engine) sliced open the top of the
fuselage of the Constellation. The Connie broke in three pieces and
crashed in flames on Staten Island, Miller Army Air Station. The
DC-8 continued for another 13,5km before crashing in a residential
area of Brooklyn, killing 5 people on the ground.
Source: http://www.pongnet.nl/avnsafety/1960list.htm