Incident Overview
Flight 615 was operating under an instrument flight plan from Chicago to Oakland, followed by a Visual Flight Rules segment to San Francisco. On August 24 at 0354, the aircraft was cleared to descend to 6,000 feet MSL while approaching the Oakland area. Routine radio contacts were established with Air Route Traffic Control until 0416, when the flight reported over the Altamont Intersection and transferred control to Oakland Approach.
Final Approach Sequence
Approach Control cleared the aircraft to maintain at least 500 feet above cloud tops for a straight-in range approach from the Newark fan marker. At 0422, the crew requested an ILS approach but later retracted this request, advising they were approaching Newark. At 0425, the flight received clearance for a straight-in approach on the southeast course of the Oakland radio range. The final radio contact occurred at 0427 when the pilot reported leaving Newark inbound to Oakland.
Impact and Findings
One minute after the last transmission, the four-engine aircraft struck Tolman Peak, which stands at 985 feet high, located approximately 14.6 miles southeast of Oakland Airport. The impact destroyed the aircraft and killed all 50 occupants on board. Official findings indicated the captain failed to follow approved straight-in range approach procedures by descending below minimum altitudes for the Newark area. Additionally, neither radio receiver was tuned to the Oakland radio range station as required. The aircraft impacted terrain at 983 feet MSL with substantial engine power applied.