Flight and Diversion
Pan American World Airways Clipper Flight 160 was a scheduled cargo flight from New York-JFK to Frankfurt, Germany, with a scheduled stop at Prestwick, Scotland. The aircraft departed JFK at 08:25 carrying 52,912 lb of cargo, including 15,360 lb of chemicals. After departure, the flight climbed to FL330, then was cleared to FL310 as final cruising altitude. At about 09:04, while approaching Sherbrooke VORTAC 100 miles east of Montreal, Canada, the crew advised Pan American Operations (PANOP) in New York that smoke had accumulated in the "lower 41" electrical compartment and that the flight was diverting to Boston.
At 09:08, the crew told Montreal Center they were level at FL310 and wanted to return to JFK. Montreal cleared a right turn to heading 180. At 09:10, the crew reported to PANOP that the smoke seemed to be "getting a little thicker." One minute later, they stated they were now going to Boston and that "this smoke is getting too thick," requesting emergency equipment at Boston. The crew also noted that the "cockpit's full back there."
Descent and Approach
The flight received preferential air traffic control treatment but did not declare an emergency. Descent clearances were issued to burn off fuel. At 09:26:30, Boston Center advised that the flight was at 2,000 feet. At 09:29, the crew asked for distance to Boston, adding that the DMEs were not working. The controller responded that they were abeam Pease Air Force Base, about 40 to 45 miles northwest of Boston.
At 09:31:21, the arrival radar controller cleared the flight direct Boston, maintain 2,000 feet, and asked if they were declaring an emergency. The crew replied "negative on the emergency" and requested runway 33 left. Around this time, the captain instructed the crew to "shut down everything you don't need." At 09:34:20, the controller asked for compass heading; the crew replied 205. The controller offered a vector for a visual approach to a 5-mile final for runway 33L, but the crew requested to land as soon as possible. At 09:35:46, the controller asked the crew to advise when they had the airport in sight. No reply was received.
At 09:37:04, the controller transmitted that the transponder had become inoperative and instructed the flight to continue inbound for runway 33L, advising of a Lufthansa 747 on a 3-mile final for runway 27. There was no reply.
Loss of Control
With flaps and spoilers extended for speed reduction, the airplane approached runway 33L. The yaw damper had been rendered inoperative by the uncoordinated execution of emergency procedures earlier, making the 707 extremely difficult to control at low speeds. Control was lost, and the airplane struck the ground nose-down about 262 feet from the right edge of the approach end of runway 33. The aircraft was totally destroyed, and all three crew members were killed.