Accident Overview
A brand-new twin-engine airplane, on a delivery flight from Kansas City to Colombo for the Government of Ceylon, crashed while approaching Naples-Capodichino Airport. The aircraft struck a hill located at Camaldoli, approximately 7 kilometers short of the runway 06 threshold. The impact destroyed the airplane, and all three occupants sustained fatal injuries.
Aircraft and Flight Details
The airplane was being ferried from Kansas City, Missouri, United States, to Colombo, Ceylon (present-day Sri Lanka), with several intermediate stops planned. The purpose of the flight was delivery to the Government of Ceylon. The aircraft was new at the time of the accident.
Accident Sequence
While on approach to Naples-Capodichino Airport, the aircraft descended into terrain. It struck a hill in the Camaldoli area, 7 km from the threshold of runway 06. The flight was being conducted under unknown weather and ATC conditions; the source does not specify any other contributing circumstances.
Occupants and Outcome
The pilot, William Palmer, was accompanied by his wife and a technician. All three occupants were killed in the crash. The source states that, for an undetermined reason, the pilot was completing the approach at an insufficient altitude. No further information about the occupants or the reason for the low altitude is provided.