ASN Aircraft accident Lockheed L-049 Constellation NC86505 Shannon Airport (SNN)
ASN logo
 
 
Status:Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Date:Saturday 28 December 1946
Time:02:09 UTC
Type:Silhouette image of generic CONI model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different
Lockheed L-049 Constellation
Operator:Transcontinental & Western Air - TWA
Registration: NC86505
MSN: 2026
First flight: 1945
Total airframe hrs:1098
Engines: 4 Wright R-3350 (745C18BA3) Cyclone
Crew:Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 9
Passengers:Fatalities: 5 / Occupants: 14
Total:Fatalities: 9 / Occupants: 23
Aircraft damage: Damaged beyond repair
Location:1,5 km (0.9 mls) WNW of Shannon Airport (SNN) (   Ireland)
Phase: Approach (APR)
Nature:International Scheduled Passenger
Departure airport:Paris-Orly Airport (ORY/LFPO), France
Destination airport:Shannon Airport (SNN/EINN), Ireland
Flightnumber:6963
Narrative:
TWA's Constellation "Cairo Skychief" departed Paris-Orly at 23:16 on a flight to New York via Shannon and Gander. The en route portion of the flight was uneventful and at 02:00 Shannon control tower cleared the aircraft for approach to runway 14. At 02:06 the flight reported over the range station at 1,200 feet at which time Shannon Tower advised it that Shannon was reporting 10/10 cloud cover at 400 feet, 4/10 at 250 feet, visibility 1 mile, wind 120 degrees, 5 knots. While turning to the left for final approach to runway 14, the aircraft passed behind a low hill which blocked the airport lights from the pilot's vision.
At the end of a left hand turn to final. During this turn the aircraft lost at least 150 feet of altitude and the left wing tip struck the ground. The plane crashed and caught fire.

Probable Cause:

PROBABLE CAUSE: "An error in altimeter indication, the primary reason for which was the reversal of the primary and alternative static source lines which led the pilot to conduct his approach to the airport at a dangerously low altitude. A contributing factor was the negligence of maintenance personnel in certifying to the satisfactory functioning of the static system although the tests required to determine such a condition were not accomplished. A further contributing factor was the restriction of vision from the cockpit resulting from fogging of the unheated windshield panels."

Accident investigation:

Investigating agency: CAB
Status: Investigation completed
Accident number: final report
Download report: Final report

Classification:
Wrong installation of parts

Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) - Ground

Sources:
» Air Britain Casualty compendium (pt. 45)
» CAB File No. 6127-46


Photos

Add your photo of this accident or aircraft

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 Paris-Orly Airport to Shannon Airport as the crow flies is 901 km (563 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.
languages: languages

Share

The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:

CONNECT WITH US: FSF on social media FSF Facebook FSF Twitter FSF Youtube FSF LinkedIn FSF Instagram

©2024 Flight Safety Foundation

1920 Ballenger Av, 4th Fl.
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
www.FlightSafety.org