Eastern Air Lines Flight 512 Crash (N815D)

Incident Overview and Casualties On November 30, 1962, Eastern Air Lines Flight 512, operating a Douglas DD-7B with registration N815D, crashed while attempting a go-around after an instrument approach to runway 4R at New York International Airport. The accident occurred at 2145 e.s.t. The aircraft was on a regularly scheduled non-stop flight from Charlotte, North Carolina. Of the 51 persons aboard, 21 passengers, 3 crew members, and an additional crew member in the jump seat did not survive. ## Operational Sequence The aircraft entered a fog condition near the threshold of runway 4R. A go-around was initiated, but the aircraft struck the ground in a slightly nose-high attitude. The impact and subsequent fire virtually destroyed the aircraft. ## Official Findings The Board determined the probable cause of the accident was the technique employed by the crew during abandonment of the approach under fog conditions not adequately reported.