What happened
The aircraft taxied from its parking position and entered Runway 18 without delay. The crew advanced the throttles for takeoff, and airspeed increased to over 90 miles per hour. The pilot applied back pressure to the control column but reported that the controls felt heavy and unresponsive. As the aircraft approached the end of the runway, the decision was made to abort the takeoff.
Brakes were applied approximately 1,000 feet from the south end of the runway, and the engines were cut. An attempt to induce a ground loop using the left brake failed as the aircraft continued straight ahead. Despite locking both brakes, the plane rolled off the runway, crashed through the airport perimeter fence, and crossed the Grand Central Parkway. It came to rest 800 feet beyond the runway end, near the Casey Jones School of Aeronautics, and was quickly engulfed in flames.
Five individuals, including the pilot, another crew member, and three passengers, were rescued from the wreckage. 43 other occupants lost their lives in the incident.
Findings
The investigation concluded that the accident resulted from either the pilot's failure to release the gust lock prior to takeoff or the decision to abort due to apprehension about using a short runway under potentially calm wind conditions.