What happened
The aircraft departed Cleveland at approximately 5:42 p.m. Eastern European Time, bound for Memphis with scheduled stops at Columbus, Dayton, Cincinnati, Louisville, and Nashville. During the leg from Dayton to Cincinnati, adverse weather conditions and unreported military traffic prompted a temporary return to Dayton. After a delay of 30 to 40 minutes, the flight proceeded to Cincinnati and then to Louisville, arriving at 9:42 p.m. Central War Time.
Following refueling in Louisville, the crew received clearance for takeoff at 9:54 p.m., initially planned for an altitude of 4,000 feet with an estimated arrival in Nashville by 10:54 p.m. Shortly before departure, the pilot requested a flight plan amendment to proceed via Smiths Grove, Kentucky, at 2,500 feet before descending to 2,000 feet for the final approach to Nashville. This request was approved and relayed by the Smiths Grove Airways Communications Station.
At approximately 10:22 p.m., while positioned about 15 miles northeast of Smiths Grove, the crew reported their position at 2,500 feet. Static interference prevented direct radio contact with Nashville or Louisville, so communications were relayed via interphone. At 10:28 p.m., the crew advised the Smiths Grove station of an aircraft approximately three miles south of the station, flying at roughly 5,000 feet. The operator identified this as a military plane practicing on the local range. This exchange was the last communication received from the flight.
When the aircraft failed to report as expected, an intensive search involving at least twenty radio stations was launched. At approximately 1:00 a.m. on July 29, police in Trammel notified American Airlines Nashville of the crash site. Trammel is located on the same airway, about 21 miles southeast of Smiths Grove.
Findings
Examination of the wreckage indicated no mechanical or structural failures prior to impact. Both engines were functioning normally, and adequate fuel remained aboard. Propeller settings suggested the aircraft was in a specific configuration immediately before the crash. The debris field was located less than two miles from the Smiths Grove Radio Range signal.
Analysis of ground marks and tree damage revealed that the aircraft was level laterally but descending at an angle of approximately 11 degrees from horizontal. It initially struck a small grove of trees, cutting a path through them before impacting the ground about 85 feet further along its trajectory. The aircraft continued on a nearly straight course through another clump of trees and across an open field, coming to rest upright among larger trees roughly 1,000 feet from the initial impact point. During the final moments, the right wing was sheared off by contact with a large tree.
The official investigation attributed the accident to loss of control resulting from unusually severe turbulence and violent downdrafts generated by a thunderstorm of unknown and unpredictable intensity.