What happened
On the afternoon of the accident, a Douglas DC-6, registration N37512, departed New York International Airport for a routine instrument proficiency check flight. The crew, consisting of the pilot and two other experienced pilots, completed their maneuvers near Hempstead before requesting an approach to MacArthur Field. After landing on runway 32, the aircraft taxied to the intersection of runways 28 and 32 to prepare for a subsequent takeoff.
At approximately 15:48, air traffic control cleared the aircraft for takeoff. The flight crew positioned the aircraft on the runway, and following a second clearance at 15:50, the plane began its takeoff roll. The aircraft reached rotation speed roughly 1,500 to 1,800 feet down the runway. While the initial climb appeared stable, the aircraft reached an altitude of approximately 50 feet when the right wing dipped and a right-hand turn commenced. As the landing gear was retracting, the bank angle increased significantly, reaching nearly vertical at an altitude of 150 feet. The nose then pitched down sharply, causing the aircraft to strike the ground on its nose and right wing. The impact triggered a large fire that destroyed much of the wreckage.
There were 0 fatalities and 0 injuries reported among the crew members.
Findings
Investigation into the crash revealed that the primary cause was the unintentional movement of the number four engine throttle into the reverse range just prior to liftoff. While the other three engines were producing high power, this sudden reverse thrust on an outboard engine created asymmetric forces that made the aircraft uncontrollable almost immediately after leaving the ground.
- The crew attempted to correct the error by moving the throttle back to the forward position, but the reverse warning flag did not clear, which actually increased the reverse thrust.
- No mechanical failures were found in the airframe, engines, or electrical systems.
- The altitude and airspeed at the time of the malfunction provided insufficient time for the crew to implement effective corrective maneuvers.