Incident Overview
American Airlines Flight 383, operated by a Boeing 727 with registration N1996, departed New York-LaGuardia Airport at 17:38 for Greater Cincinnati Airport. The flight was conducted under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) with a planned cruising altitude of 35,000 feet. The en route phase proceeded without incident until the aircraft entered the approach segment.
Approach and Descent
At approximately 18:55, while positioned 27 miles southeast of the destination, Cincinnati Approach Control assumed radar traffic control duties. The crew requested a visual approach after reporting they had the airport in sight. The controller cleared them for a visual approach to Runway 18, noting precipitation near the airport's western and southern boundaries. At 18:58, the aircraft was six miles from the airport, and the crew transferred to the tower frequency.
Final Moments
Visibility deteriorated as rain began at the airport. The tower controller informed the crew of the changing conditions. At 19:01:14, the tower queried if the runway was still visible; the crew responded that they could barely see it and intended to capture the Instrument Landing System (ILS). Thirteen seconds before impact, the aircraft was descending at 2,100 feet per minute at an altitude of approximately 725 feet. In the final ten seconds, the descent rate slowed to about 625 feet per minute, and airspeed decreased to 147 knots.
Impact and Aftermath
The right wing struck a tree at 665 feet mean sea level, which was roughly 225 feet below the published field elevation. The aircraft slid through scrub trees for 340 feet before coming to rest among larger trees. A subsequent ground fire destroyed the cabin forward of the tail section. One flight attendant and three passengers survived; 58 other occupants were killed.