Departure and Flight Details
The aircraft arrived at New York International Airport (Idlewild) at 2233 on February 10, 1952, as Flight 402 from Miami, Florida, with stops at West Palm Beach and Washington, D.C. A turn-around inspection at Idlewild was performed, and 1911 gallons of 100/130 grade fuel were added, bringing the total fuel aboard to 2700 gallons. Sufficient oil was added to bring the quantity of each tank to 30 gallons. At 2322, the aircraft departed Idlewild on a ferry flight to Newark with a new crew: Captain W. G. Foster, First Officer C. E. St. Clair, Flight Engineer I. R. Shea, and Stewardess Nancy J. Taylor. The aircraft arrived at Newark Airport at 2335, scheduled to depart at 2359 as Flight 101, non-stop to Miami. A second inspection at Newark was accomplished, and the aircraft was loaded with 2953 pounds of mail, baggage, air express, air freight, and 59 passengers (including one infant). The computed take-off gross weight was 83,437 pounds, 6463 pounds less than the allowable gross of 89,900 pounds, and the center of gravity was within approved limits. No fuel was added at Newark.
Clearance and Takeoff
The flight received an instrument clearance from Newark to Miami, with West Palm Beach as alternate. Weather reports indicated a ceiling of 20,000 feet at Newark (thin overcast), and generally clear en route with ceilings of 30,000 feet at Palm Beach and Miami. At 0013 on February 11, the Newark Control Tower cleared the flight to taxi to Runway 24, reporting wind south, variable at 6 mph, altimeter 29.92. At approximately 0017, the flight advised it was ready for takeoff. Take-off clearance was issued, and the controller observed the aircraft taxi into position and proceed down the runway normally, becoming airborne at 0018 after a roll of about 3200 feet.
Climb and Emergency
The climb-out appeared normal until the aircraft passed the vicinity of the Newark Range Station. Control Tower personnel observed a sudden loss of altitude and a slight veer to the right. This was supported by statements of surviving passengers and ground witnesses. The controller asked if everything was all right, and received the reply: "I lost an engine and am returning to the field." The time was 0019. The flight was cleared to land on Runway 6, then amended to any runway desired. No further radio contacts were made. During the last transmission, the controller observed the aircraft continue to veer right at low altitude and then disappear. At 0020, tower personnel observed a fire in the vicinity of Elizabeth, New Jersey.
Crash and Casualties
Flight 101 crashed in Elizabeth near the intersection of Scotland Road and Westminster Avenue. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces. Three crew members, 26 passengers, and four people on the ground were killed.
Probable Cause
The Board determined that the probable cause of this accident was the reversal in flight of No. 3 propeller with relatively high power and the subsequent feathering of No. 4 propeller, resulting in a descent at an altitude too low to effect recovery. Findings noted: mechanical difficulty developed during climb shortly after takeoff; No. 3 propeller reversed in flight; No. 4 propeller was feathered; under these conditions the aircraft did not maintain altitude and settled rapidly.