What happened
United Air Lines Flight 227, operating a Boeing 727-22 registered as N7030U, was en route from New York City to San Francisco with intermediate stops. After departing Denver, the aircraft entered the Salt Lake City approach phase under visual conditions. The flight crew, consisting of Captain Gale C. Kehmeier and First Officer Philip E. Spicer, initiated a descent that deviated significantly from standard procedures.
During the final approach, the aircraft descended at a rate of approximately 2,300 feet per minute, which was nearly triple the recommended limit. At one point, the first officer attempted to increase engine thrust, but the captain dismissed the action. Despite being well above the normal glideslope, the plane continued its steep descent toward the runway threshold.
Approximately ten seconds before impact, power was added, but it was too late to arrest the descent. The aircraft struck the ground 335 feet short of the runway at high speed. The impact caused structural failure of the landing gear and fuel lines, leading to a massive fire. All 43 people on board perished in the blaze rather than from the initial collision.
Investigation
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigated the crash, focusing on the flight data recorder information and crew testimonies. The investigation revealed that the aircraft was flying significantly above the intended glide path during the final approach segment. The descent rate was excessive for the altitude and distance to the runway.
Findings
The primary cause of the accident was determined to be the captain's poor judgment in conducting a visual approach from an unsafe altitude and position. By maintaining a descent rate that was three times the normal limit, the crew placed the aircraft in a situation where recovery was impossible before impact. The failure to recognize and correct this high-energy state led directly to the fatal crash.