Crash of a Boeing 707-124 in Kansas City

Date & Time: Jul 1, 1965 at 0529 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N70773
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Los Angeles – Kansas City – Chicago
MSN:
17609
YOM:
1959
Flight number:
CO012
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
60
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
18729
Captain / Total hours on type:
850.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
3178
Copilot / Total hours on type:
428
Aircraft flight hours:
25263
Circumstances:
The aircraft made a "firm" landing, in heavy rain, about 1,050 feet past the approach end of runway 18. When the crew's efforts to stop the aircraft were ineffective, and the captain was convinced that they were going off the end of the runway, he used differential power and rudder to cock the aircraft to the left. The aircraft slid off the end of the runway, went through the US localizer antenna building, struck a dirt blast mound, slid up over the mound, and came to rest with the nose section in the perimeter road between the blast mound and a river levee. Of the 60 passengers and 6 crew members aboard, three passengers and two crew members received minor injuries. The aircraft received substantial damage although no major fire occurred. The passengers and crew evacuated the aircraft without major difficulty.
Probable cause:
The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was hydroplaning of the landing gear wheels that precluded braking effectiveness.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing 707-331 in Rome: 49 killed

Date & Time: Nov 23, 1964 at 1409 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N769TW
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Kansas City – Chicago – New York – Paris – Milan – Rome – Athens – Cairo
MSN:
17685/123
YOM:
1960
Flight number:
TW800
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
62
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
49
Captain / Total flying hours:
17408
Captain / Total hours on type:
2617.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
17419
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1269
Circumstances:
Flight 800 was a scheduled international flight from Rome, Italy to Athens, Greece. It departed the parking area at 1300 hours GMT with the copilot at the controls and the take-off run on runway 25 started at 1307 hours. The aircraft bad reached a speed above 80 kt when the pilot-in-command noticed that the No. 4 engine pressure ratio gauge was reading 1 (zero thrust) and, immediately thereafter, the amber light indicating thrust reversal of No. 2 engine came on. Since the speed was still below V1 for the weights and runway conditions, he decided to abort take-off and took over the controls to carry out the required manoeuvre. The tower was advised of this decision when the aircraft had reached a point 800 to 900 m after the threshold. The aircraft started to decelerate but at a much slower rate than expected, and at the same time veered strongly to the right with the result that the right landing gear was grazing the runway edge. Reverse thrust on the two right engines was reduced in an attempt to bring the aircraft back to the centre Line. The aircraft continued travelling beyond the declared runway limit and struck with No. 4 engine a pavement roller which was being used for maintenance work on taxiway 16/34 in an authorized area. After travelling a further 260 m, the aircraft came to a stop with fire on board. After a series of explosions, it was engulfed in flames and completely destroyed. The accident occurred at 1309 hours GMT. Five crew members and 44 passengers were killed, 24 others occupants were injured, some of them seriously.
Probable cause:
Damage to the reverse thrust system of No. 2 engine, not discernible by means of cockpit instruments, and consisting in the disconnection of a duct with resulting lack of pressure in the pneumatic clamshell door actuating mechanism. This malfunction allowed the development of considerable forward thrust by No. 2 engine even though the four levers were in the 'reverse' position. Rupture of fuel feed tube to No. 4 engine by impact with a power roller, and resulting ignition of spilled fuel. Failure of surge tank drainage because of a blocked valve, forcing the fuel out through the vent scoop and permitting access of fire to the wing. Presence of fuel-air vapor, formed in the tanks in explosive proportions, which caused the explosions when ignited.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing 707-139 in New York

Date & Time: Apr 7, 1964 at 2302 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N779PA
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
San Juan – New York
MSN:
17904
YOM:
1960
Flight number:
PA212
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
136
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
14629
Captain / Total hours on type:
711.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
10433
Copilot / Total hours on type:
141
Aircraft flight hours:
11094
Circumstances:
PAA 212 departed Dulles Airport at 2221 with the same crew of 9 and 136 passengers. The flight was conducted under instrument conditions and was routine until arrival in the New York area. At 2239 the New York Center controller transmitted the JFK weather to PAA 212. The runway visual range (RVR) on runway 4R at JFK was reported to be 1,600 feet. At 2250 JFK Approach Control established radar and radio contact with PAA 212 and advised: "Depart Colts Neck heading zero nine zero for vectors to the final approach course, Kennedy weather is three hundred thin broken, measured ceiling one thousand five hundred overcast, visibility one and one-half miles fog, and the runway visual range runway four right more than one thousand feet, standby." FAA 212 acknowledged the transmission. N779PA was restricted to landing Minimums of 300-foot ceiling and 3/4 mile visibility. The flight reported over the Colts Neck VOR at 2253 35 and was cleared to descend from 6,000 to 1,500 feet. Several vectors were given to position FAA 212 on the inbound heading to the Outer Marker (OM). At 2256.15 while on a heading of 040 degree, the crew reported reaching 1,500 feet, airspeed 180. Several delaying vectors were given to position the aircraft three and one-half miles behind a DC-8 which was landing ahead. At 2259.45 the JFK local controller transmitted to FAA 212: "Clipper two one two this is Kennedy Tower, report passing outer marker, straight in four right, wind calm, runway visual range, all aircraft copy, four right is more than six thousand." Prevailing visibility at the JFK Airport was less than three miles, therefore the Precision Approach Radar (PAR) Controller was monitoring all ILS approaches to runway 4R as prescribed by procedures. At 2301.10 the PAR controller advised, "Clipper two twelve, Kennedy radar on localizer one mile from outer marker course and glidepath OK." At 2301:40, PAA 212 reported passing the outer marker and the PAR controller advised, "Clipper two twelve two miles from touchdown." The local controller transmitted at 2301 45 "Clipper two one two, Kennedy Tower cleared to land four right, traffic will be clear in five seconds." PAR at 2302-10 advised "Clipper two twelve, Kennedy radar, execute a missed approach if you do not have the runway in sight." Immediately following this transmission, PAA 212 acknowledged "Uh. . . Roger two one two." The next radio transmission was at 2303:10 when the local controller called the flight but was unable to establish radio contact. After touchdown the aircraft continued down and off the runway across the asphalt overrun and through a sandy area before coming to rest in the shallow water of Thurston Basin approximately 800 feet from the far end of runway 4R. When the aircraft came to rest the crew proceeded aft to assist the passengers. The main forward (left) cabin door was opened and the passengers in this section of the aircraft left through this door. The passengers in the aft section left through the overwing exits onto the wings; and others left through the two rear doors and got into two life rafts that had been launched. Evacuation of the aft section of the aircraft was completed in approximately five minutes. After seats and debris had been removed from the first-class compartment aisle, some of the persons who had been in the aft section of the aircraft reentered the aircraft and left through the main forward cabin door. The aircraft broke in two and was written off. Among the 145 occupants, 40 were injured, seven of them seriously, and 105 other occupants were unhurt.
Probable cause:
The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the captain's deviation from the glide slope during an ILS approach resulting in a touchdown on the rim-way at a point and speed which precluded stopping the aircraft on the remaining runway.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing 707-121 in Elkton: 81 killed

Date & Time: Dec 8, 1963 at 2059 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N709PA
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
San Juan – Baltimore – Philadelphia
MSN:
17588
YOM:
1958
Flight number:
PA214
Location:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
73
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
81
Captain / Total flying hours:
17049
Captain / Total hours on type:
2890.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
13963
Copilot / Total hours on type:
2681
Aircraft flight hours:
14609
Circumstances:
Pan American Flight 214, a Boeing 707-121, N709PA, departed Friendship International Airport, Baltimore, Maryland, for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at 2024 1 December 8, 1963. The aircraft, with 73 passengers and a crew of eight, was on an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) clearance. Flight 214 reported over the New Castle, Delaware VOR at 2042 and was instructed to hold at 5,000 feet, west of the VOR. At 2058 a "MAYDAY" 2 transmission was heard from the flight. Shortly thereafter, the pilot of another aircraft broadcasted that "Clipper 214 is going down in flames". Flight 214 crashed two miles east of Elkton, Maryland, at 2059. All persons aboard the aircraft were killed instantly. The aircraft was destroyed by explosion, impact, and fire.
Probable cause:
The Board determines the probable cause of this accident was lightning induced ignition of the fuel/air mixture in the No. 1 reserve fuel tank with resultant explosive disintegration of the left outer wing and loss of control.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing 707-441 near Lima: 97 killed

Date & Time: Nov 27, 1962 at 0340 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PP-VJB
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Rio de Janeiro – Porto Alegre – Lima – Bogotá – Panama City – Mexico City – Los Angeles
MSN:
17906
YOM:
1960
Flight number:
RG810
Country:
Crew on board:
17
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
80
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
97
Captain / Total flying hours:
13640
Captain / Total hours on type:
1641.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
16304
Copilot / Total hours on type:
642
Aircraft flight hours:
6326
Circumstances:
A Boeing 707-441 passenger jet, operated by Varig, was destroyed when it crashed into the side of La Cruz Peak, near Lima, Peru. All 80 passengers and 17 crew members were killed. Flight RG810 departed Rio de Janeiro-Galeão Airport at 03:53 hours UTC on a scheduled flight to Los Angeles (LAX) with en route stops at Lima (LIM), Peru , Bogotá (BOG), Colombia, Panama City (PTY), Panama and Mexico City (MEX), Mexico. At 08:09 the flight reported to Air Traffic Control, Lima, at 36 000 feet, estimating Pisco at 08:13 and Lima-Callao Airport at 08:36 and requested permission to descend. Lima ATC advised of a DC-6, which had departed Lima at 07:35 and was also estimating Pisco at 08:13 when it would be cruising at 13500 feet. After passing Pisco at 08:13, the crew started their descent. At 08:19 hours RG-810 reached 26000 feet. Authorization was granted to continue descending for a straight-in approach to runway 33. At 08:24 it reported to Approach Control ten minutes from the station, at 15 000 feet, still in descent. By 08:30 hours it had reached 12000 feet over Las Palmas. As it was too high for a straight-in approach to runway 33, Approach Control suggested that it make a 360-degree turn over Las Palmas and report again overhead Las Palmas. The aircraft continued descending. It turned slightly right of its 330 degree heading, passing east of Lima Airport, then made a left turn and passed over Lima-Callao Airport. It continued turning until it was headed south, passing west of Las Palmas in order to initiate the outbound procedure from the ILS back course, and then made a 180 degree turn to intercept the ILS back course (327 degrees). However, it kept to the normal intercept course for almost three minutes before starting its turn to the north. Its heading was 333 degrees when it hit La Cruz Peak, about 8 miles east of the approach track of the Morro Solar ILS back course.
Probable cause:
A deviation, for reasons unknown, from the track prescribed for the instrument approach along the ILS back course of Lima-Callao Airport.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing 707 in Pointe-à-Pitre: 113 killed

Date & Time: Jun 22, 1962 at 0403 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
F-BHST
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Paris – Lisbon – Santa Maria – Pointe-à-Pitre – Caracas – Bogotá – Lima – Santiago de Chile
MSN:
18247
YOM:
1962
Flight number:
AF117
Country:
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
103
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
113
Aircraft flight hours:
963
Circumstances:
While descending to Pointe-à-Pitre on a flight from Paris to Santiago de Chile, the crew encountered poor weather conditions at destination, worse than forecast. On approach by night, the four engine aircraft struck the slope of a hill (427 m) located 25 km northwest of Le Raizet Airport. The aircraft crashed in flames in a dense wooded area and was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. All 113 occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, the VOR was unserviceable and the approach was possible via an NDB only. Weather conditions were poor with low visibility due to thunderstorm activity in the area. Also, the aircraft was off course by 15 km due to interference on the ADF systems caused by the thunderstorm activity.
Crew:
Mr. Lesieur, pilot,
Mr. Farret, copilot,
Mr. Hurlimann, navigator,
Mr. Pruvost, mechanic,
Mrs. Micoud, stewaradess,
Mrs. D’Horne, stewardess,
Mrs. Page, stewardess,
Mr. Epper, steward,
Mr. Gassler, steward,
Mr. Cage, steward.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of the combination of the following factors:
- Poor weather conditions at destination, worse than forecast,
- Lack of visibility due to weather combined with the night,
- The VOR of Pointe-à-Pitre was unserviceable at the time of the accident,
- The approach was possible via an NDB only,
- The ADF indications were incorrect due to thunderstorm activity (atmospheric effects), causing the aircraft to be off course by 15 km.

Crash of a Boeing 707-328 in Paris: 130 killed

Date & Time: Jun 3, 1962 at 1234 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
F-BHSM
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Paris – New York – Atlanta – Houston
MSN:
17920
YOM:
1960
Flight number:
AF007
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
122
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
130
Captain / Total flying hours:
14225
Captain / Total hours on type:
743.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
15194
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1407
Aircraft flight hours:
4491
Circumstances:
The Boeing 707 aircraft, named "Chateau de Sully", was on a non-scheduled (charter) international flight from Paris (ORY) to Atlanta (ATL) and Houston via New York (JFK). Ten crew and 122 passengers were on the flight when, after a considerable delay to await the arrival of passengers, it was cleared to take off from runway 08 at Orly Airport at 11:32 UTC. It aligned itself for takeoff and waited 6 seconds, which permitted the setting and checking of takeoff parameters on the four engines. Full thrust was applied, and the aircraft accelerated normally. From testimony and flight recorder data, the takeoff was reconstructed as follows. Between 20 to 40 seconds after the start of the roll, the rate of acceleration was steady at 1.80 m/s2. The aircraft rolled along the runway centre line without showing any tendency to veer to either side. V1, determined as 147 kt IAS, was attained after a ground roll of 1500 m. This was followed by VR, 158 kt IAS. Forty-eight seconds after the beginning of the takeoff run and approximately when passing the 1800 m mark, the aircraft reached the rotation speed (VR), and the pilot-in-command initiated the takeoff manoeuvre by pulling backwards on the control column. According to witnesses, the aircraft made an incomplete rotational movement about 2100 m from the threshold. It remained for 4 to 6 seconds with its nose slightly raised. Then the nose dropped when the brakes were applied. Thick smoke streamed from the wheels. The aircraft was 2600 m from its starting point and had reached a maximum speed of 179 kt IAS. It braked for the last 680 m of the runway with an average deceleration of 1.2 to 1.3 m/s After 250 m of braking the aircraft veered slightly to the left, and 50deg of flap were selected. Then after another 250 m the aircraft listed heavily to starboard. Its path then curved right, which suggests a possible attempt to ground loop. However, the aircraft's speed precluded the success of this manoeuvre, and it left the runway while still on the centre line. It rolled for a while on the grass extension of the runway but, because of the unevenness of the terrain and the high speed of the aircraft (160 kt), the port gear broke off 110 m from the end of the runway and was wrenched away. The aircraft pivoted left, and engines No. 1 and 2 scraped the ground. Fire broke out in the port wing at the level of the landing gear. About 300 m beyond the end of the runway the aircraft crossed the encircling road. The starboard gear collapsed, and No. 2 engine broke loose. It then struck the approach lights, which represented a considerable obstacle. It started to disintegrate when reaching the hollow at the end of the runway extension, which descends at a steep angle towards the Seine. The front part of the fuselage struck a house and garage. The nose of the aircraft broke away, and the rest of the fuselage came to a stop 100 m further on. The site of the accident was 550 m beyond the end of runway 08 on its extended centre line, at an elevation of 89 m. The airplane was completely destroyed by a post crash fire. Two stewardess who seated in the rear were slightly injured while all 130 other occupants were killed.
Crew members who were killed:
Roland-Paul Hoche, pilot,
Jacques-Marcel Pitoiset, copilot,
Raymond Gautrand, navigator,
Robert-Gaston Barres, mechanic,
Marie-Geneviève Barot, stewardess,
Robert Mancel, cabin chief,
François Gutrupi, steward,
Robert Lugon, steward.
Probable cause:
The accident was due to the concurrence of: 1) a considerable out-of-trim condition producing major loads on the control column at VR and VLOF which may have seemed prohibitive to the pilot-in-command; and 2) a failure of the trim servo motor control system which prevented the pilot-in-command from rectifying the faulty setting of the stabilizer and, consequently, from reducing the reaction at the control column. These factors led the pilot-in-command to discontinue take-off, but it was too late to stop the aircraft on the runway or slow it down sufficiently before the end of the runway.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing 707-124 near Unionville: 45 killed

Date & Time: May 22, 1962 at 2117 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N70775
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Chicago – Kansas City – Los Angeles
MSN:
17611
YOM:
1959
Flight number:
CO011
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
37
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
45
Captain / Total flying hours:
25000
Captain / Total hours on type:
2600.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
14500
Copilot / Total hours on type:
600
Aircraft flight hours:
11945
Circumstances:
On the night of May 22, 1962, a Continental Air Lines Boeing 707-124, N70775, operating as Flight 11 en route from O’Hare Airport, Chicago, Illinois, to Kansas City, Missouri, was flying via Jet Route 26V at an altitude of 39,000 feet. A few minutes after Flight 11 had made a northerly deviation from course to circumnavigate a thunderstorm, in the vicinity of Centerville, Iowa, the radar image of the aircraft disappeared from the scope of the Waverly, Iowa, Flight Following Service. At approximately 2117 an explosion occurred in the right rear lavatory resulting in separation of the tail section from the fuselage. The aircraft broke up and the main part of the fuselage struck the ground about 6 miles north-northwest of Unionville, Missouri. All 37 passengers and crew of 8 sustained fatal injuries. The aircraft was totally destroyed.
Probable cause:
The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the disintegrating force of a dynamite explosion which occurred in the right rear lavatory resulting in destruction of the aircraft.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing 707-123B in New York: 95 killed

Date & Time: Mar 1, 1962 at 1008 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N7506A
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
New York – Los Angeles
MSN:
17633
YOM:
1959
Flight number:
AA001
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
87
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
95
Captain / Total flying hours:
18300
Captain / Total hours on type:
1600.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
8800
Copilot / Total hours on type:
900
Aircraft flight hours:
8147
Circumstances:
Flight One was cleared for takeoff from Runway 31L on a regularly scheduled nonstop flight to Los Angeles, California, and became airborne at 1007 e.s.t. The takeoff and initial climb appeared to be normal and a gentle turn to the left was started about 8,000 feet down the runway near taxiway AA, at an altitude of about 100 feet. Straightening out from this turn the aircraft continued to climb for several seconds on a magnetic heading of 290 degrees, and started a second turn to the left, apparently in compliance with radar vector directions given by Departure Control. In the second turn the airplane continued to climb. After initiation of the second turn the angle of bank increased until the airplane rolled through 90 degrees of bank at a peak altitude of about 1,600 feet m.s.1. It then entered an inverted, nose-low attitude and plunged earthward in a nearly vertical dive. The airplane struck the shallow waters of Pumpkin Patch Channel of Jamaica Bay approximately three miles southwest of the Idlewild Control Tower at 1008:49 Floating debris and fuel ignited a few minutes later and burned fiercely. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and there were no survivors among the 95 occupants.
Probable cause:
The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was a rudder control system malfunction producing yaw, sideslip and roll leading to a loss of control from which recovery action was not effective.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing 707-328 in Hamburg

Date & Time: Jul 27, 1961 at 1620 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
F-BHSA
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Paris – Hambourg – Anchorage – Tokyo
MSN:
17613
YOM:
1959
Flight number:
AF272
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
15
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
26
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
14000
Captain / Total hours on type:
401.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
8000
Copilot / Total hours on type:
960
Aircraft flight hours:
3978
Aircraft flight cycles:
1080
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll on runway 23, at a speed of 120 knots, the captain noted the aircraft was turning slightly to the left and was unable to counteract. As a result, he decided to abandon the takeoff procedure and attempted an emergency braking maneuver. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran, lost its undercarriage and came to rest in a field located 140 meters the runway end, broken in three. Four crew members and six passengers were seriously injured while 31 other occupants were unhurt. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, it was reported that a valve on the engine number two remained closed, causing the reverse system to deploy on that engine and the deviation of path during the takeoff procedure.
Final Report: