What happened
At 21:45, a DC-7 prepared for departure from Wake Island with a cargo load of 27,4pend484lb. After obtaining IFR clearance for its destination, the crew requested permission to utilize the paved overrun area on runway 01 during their takeoff roll. This request was granted by controllers.
During the takeoff sequence, the aircraft reached a speed of 121 knots (V2) but failed to lift its nose. The acceleration continued past 128 knots without successful rotation. In an attempt to stop the vehicle, the crew shut down the engines and engaged maximum braking. Despite these efforts, the aircraft overran the runway and crashed through a perimeter fence. The impact caused the landing gear to fail, and the plane eventually came to rest approximately 1700 feet beyond the end of the runway. The accident resulted in four injuries among the crew, and the DC-7 was a total loss.
Findings
Investigations concluded that the primary factor in the accident was improper cargo loading. This error caused the aircraft's center of gravity to shift significantly forward of the permitted operational limits, which prevented the pilot from being able to rotate the aircraft during the takeoff roll.