ASN Aircraft accident Martin 4-0-4 N453A Louisville-Standiford Field, KY (SDF)
ASN logo
 

Status:Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Date:Sunday 10 March 1957
Type:Silhouette image of generic M404 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different
Martin 4-0-4
Operator:Eastern Air Lines
Registration: N453A
MSN: 14144
First flight:
Crew:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3
Passengers:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 31
Total:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 34
Aircraft damage: Damaged beyond repair
Location:Louisville-Standiford Field, KY (SDF) (   United States of America)
Phase: Landing (LDG)
Nature:Domestic Scheduled Passenger
Departure airport:Indianapolis-Weir Cook Municipal Airport, IN (IND/KIND), United States of America
Destination airport:Louisville-Standiford Field, KY (SDF/KSDF), United States of America
Narrative:
The Eastern Air Lines Martin 4-0-4 took off from Indianapolis at 11:05 for a flight to Louisville. The cruising altitude of 5000 feet was maintained somewhat longer to give the stewardess more time in smooth air to remove the luncheon trays. The co-pilot then started to descend to 2000 feet. After turning for finals for runway 11 the captain saw that the aircraft was too high and reduced power further (the throttles were pulled fully back) and the co-pilot lowered the flaps to full down. At about 1000-1500 feet the captain took over control and nosed down sharply, maintaining an airspeed of about 100 knots. Over the threshold, at about 100 feet, the captain tried to flare. The aircraft attained a nose-up attitude, but continued to descend fast. The aircraft struck the runway on its main gear, causing the left wing to separate inboard of the no. 1 engine. The remainder of the aircraft half rolled to an inverted position. Just one passenger was injured seriously.

Probable Cause:

PROBABLE CAUSE: "The captain's faulty landing approach technique, resulting in an excessively high rate of sink at the instant of touchdown imposing load beyond the design strength of the wing structure."

Accident investigation:

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

Classification:
Heavy landing
Runway mishap

Sources:
» ICAO Accident Digest No.9, Circular 56-AN/51 (72-75)


Photos

photo of Martin-4-0-4-N453A
accident date: 10-03-1957
type: Martin 4-0-4
registration: N453A
 

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 Indianapolis-Weir Cook Municipal Airport, IN to Louisville-Standiford Field, KY as the crow flies is 177 km (111 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.
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