What happened
On the day of the accident, Flight 451 was operating an instrument flight without specific Air Route Traffic Control routing. At 11:22, the crew notified Idlewild Approach Control that they were passing over the Mitchell Radio Range Station at 7,000 feet. The aircraft was subsequently directed to enter a holding pattern near Scotland.
Between 11:47 and 11:59, weather conditions dropped below the required landing minimums for runway 22. Although conditions briefly improved, allowing for an ILS approach, the crew aborted the attempt at 12:18 and returned to the holding pattern as visibility and ceilings declined again. Due to a tailwind component on runway 22, the flight accepted an approach for runway 4 at 13:07. This approach was also missed, leading the crew to attempt a Ground Controlled Approach (GCA), which they abandoned at 13:24.
At 13:27, following a suggestion from the airline's station manager regarding fuel reserves and potential diversion to Washington, D.C., the flight continued its operations. At 13:49, the aircraft began its third approach to runway 4. At approximately 14:00, the aircraft type struck a pier on the left side of the airfield. The collision triggered a massive explosion and fire. The accident resulted in 26 fatalities (comprising 10 crew members and 1/6 passengers) and 6 injuries.
Findings
Investigation into the crash revealed that the aircraft was flying in low visibility with an overcast ceiling of 200 feet and light rain. The investigation determined that the primary cause was an erratic approach that led to a descent at an altitude insufficient to clear the pier.
- The crew attempted four total approaches to the airport.
- Radar controllers had provided warnings during the final approach that the aircraft was flying below standard ILS altitudes.
- It appeared the final approach did not utilize the ILS glide path.
- There were no mechanical or structural failures identified in the engines, propellers, or airframe prior to the impact.
- Pilot fatigue, brought on by the difficult and repetitive nature of the weather conditions and multiple approaches, was noted as a contributing factor.