Overview
A scheduled passenger flight operating as Flight 535 departed Boston, Massachusetts, on March 1 en route to New York, New York, with planned stops at New Haven and Bridgeport, Connecticut. The crew consisted of Captain Edward W. Johnson, First Officer Norman A. Paquette, and Stewardess Marian Sullivan. The aircraft departed Boston on time at 0927 with a TFR clearance to cruise at 6,000 feet via airways to New Haven. The flight was routine and arrived at New Haven on schedule. The aircraft was not refueled during the five-minute stop, and both engines were stopped. The flight departed New Haven with five passengers and 1,460 gallons of fuel, with a gross weight well under the maximum allowable and center of gravity within prescribed limits.
Sequence of Events
At New Haven, the wind was calm, and runway 14 (4,116 feet long, macadam surface) was selected for takeoff. There was no air traffic control tower at the airport. After the takeoff checklist was completed, the aircraft moved onto the runway and takeoff was initiated without delay. First Officer Paquette, in the right seat, was flying this segment, while Captain Johnson, in the left seat, maintained directional control during initial acceleration. Before the aircraft reached the intersection of runways 14 and 19, the landing gear was retracted. The aircraft skidded along runway 14 near its center and came to rest 1,050 feet from the far end. Captain Johnson, Stewardess Sullivan, and three passengers exited through the right emergency escape hatch over the wing. First Officer Paquette and the two remaining passengers left through the partially opened front entrance door. Fire developed around the left engine and the left outboard wing area, causing considerable damage, and was extinguished by the local fire department.
Probable Cause and Findings
The Board determined that the probable cause of this accident was the improper technique of the captain resulting in the unintentional retraction of the landing gear prior to V1 speed, which was made possible by a malfunctioning left gear safety switch. A contributing factor was inadequate inspection by the carrier. The following findings were reported:
- The first officer made the takeoff with the captain performing the duties of copilot from his left seat.
- The aircraft operated normally up to 85 knots in the takeoff roll.
- The captain prematurely applied upward pressure on the landing gear selector handle.
- A defective landing gear safety switch allowed the landing gear selector handle to be unlocked during ground operation of the aircraft, and permitted the landing gear to retract.
- Fire did not develop in the left nacelle and fuel tank area until the aircraft skidded to a stop on the runway.
- The company’s inspection of the safety switch was inadequate.