The Accident
On July 9, 1964, at approximately 18:15 Eastern Standard Time, United Airlines Flight 823, a scheduled service from Philadelphia International Airport, Pennsylvania, to Huntsville International Airport, Alabama, crashed 2.25 miles northeast of Parrottsville, Tennessee. The aircraft, a Vickers Viscount registered as N7405, was carrying 39 people—all of whom died in the accident.
Sequence of Events
The flight experienced an uncontrollable fire that originated in the passenger cabin. The exact cause of the fire was not determined. During the emergency, one passenger attempted to escape by exiting through the No. 4 escape window while the aircraft was still airborne. However, the individual did not survive the fall from the aircraft.
Victims
Among the 39 fatalities was Durant da Ponte, a professor of American literature and assistant dean of the University of Tennessee graduate school.
Investigation
The investigation into the accident concluded that the fire was of unknown origin. No further causal factors were identified in the official report.