On December 18, 1954, a Douglas DC-6 (registration I-LINE) operated by Linee Aeree Italiane - LAI was involved in an aviation accident near New York-Idlewild, United States of America during landing or approach. 26 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: An erratic approach which resulted in a descent to an altitude too low to avoid striking the pier, with pilot fatigue due to the particular and difficult circumstances as a contributing factor. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 7 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
Italian Airlines Flight 451 struck a pier at Idlewild Airport after multiple missed approaches in poor weather, killing all 26 people on board and injuring six others.
Flight Progression and Weather Conditions Italian Airlines Flight 451 conducted an instrument flight without Air Route Traffic Control routing or control. At 1122, the flight reported to Idlewild Approach Control over the Mitchell Radio Range Station at 7,000 feet. The aircraft was cleared into the Scotland holding pattern, located approximately 13 nautical miles southwest of the airport, and was subsequently laddered down to the number one position for approach. Between 1147 and 1159, weather conditions deteriorated below the 400-foot ceiling minimum for landing on runway 22, the runway then in use. The flight continued to hold. At 1159, reported weather conditions improved, and the flight was cleared for an approach to runway 22 using the back course of the Instrument Landing System (ILS). At 1218, the flight reported discontinuing the approach. Missed-approach instructions were issued, and the aircraft returned to the Scotland holding pattern. Shortly thereafter, weather conditions were again reported below minimums for runway 22. Conditions were reported as: ceiling 300 feet broken, 2,500 feet overcast; visibility 2-1/2 miles, light rain and fog; wind south-southeast 20 knots. While holding, Approach Control asked the flight if it could make an approach to runway 4, the ILS runway, considering the tailwind component. The flight accepted runway 4 and was cleared at 1307 for an ILS approach. At 1313, the tower was advised by Flight 451 that the approach had been missed. ## Subsequent Approaches and Fuel Status The flight was next offered and accepted a Ground Controlled Approach (GCA). This approach was abandoned at 1324, a missed-approach procedure was followed, and the flight returned to Scotland. At 1327, the Italian Airlines Station Manager, in a message relayed by the tower, asked the flight its remaining fuel and received the reply that there was three hours of holding fuel. The Station Manager then suggested that the flight hold for 1-1/2 hours and, if unable to land, proceed to Washington, D.C. At 1329, the flight acknowledged this message. At 1349, the flight was again cleared for an ILS approach, the third approach to runway 4 and its fourth to the airport. At approximately 1400, the aircraft struck the left pier. The impact was accompanied by a violent explosion and followed by an intense fire. Tower personnel immediately sounded the crash alarm and initiated emergency procedures. ## Accident Conditions and Findings At the time of the accident, weather conditions were reported as: ceiling 200 overcast; visibility 2-1/2 miles, light rain and fog; wind south-southeast 16 knots. Italian Airlines' minimums for ILS approaches to runway 4 were ceiling 200 feet and visibility 1/2 mile. The aircraft was destroyed, and all 10 crew members and 16 passengers were killed, while six others were injured. The Board determined that the probable cause of the accident was an erratic approach which resulted in a descent to an altitude too low to avoid striking the pier. A contributing factor was pilot fatigue due to the particular and difficult circumstances. The following findings were reported: - The flight made four instrument approaches to Idlewild Airport, one to runway 22 and three to runway 4. - The three approaches to runway 4 were made with a downwind component of approximately 8 knots. - There were no language difficulties between the flight crew and control personnel. - Prior to the last approach, weather and altimeter information was given to the flight. - The weather information was adequate for the normal ILS breakout area. - Radar advisories were given to the flight during the ILS approaches, and during the last approach, the flight was repeatedly advised that it was low with respect to normal ILS altitudes. - The last approach was apparently made without using the ILS glide path. - The radio navigational and landing facilities for the airport were functioning normally. - When the aircraft struck the pier, it was nearly level laterally, slightly nose-high, and without appreciable descent. - Approximately 80 percent of the wreckage was recovered, and examination revealed no structural or mechanical failure of the power units, propellers, airframe, controls, or instruments prior to impact. - The crew reported no mechanical or other difficulty.