Incident Overview
An Electra operating as scheduled Flight 361 departed Boston at 0716 local time, en route to St Louis, Missouri, with a planned intermediate stop at LaGuardia Airport. Approximately ten minutes before departure, a crew change occurred when a check pilot boarded to flight-check the flight engineer. By mutual agreement and in accordance with established company policy, the check pilot took the left (pilot-in-command) seat, while the previously assigned captain moved to the jump seat.
Sequence of Events
The flight proceeded routinely until final approach at LaGuardia. On final approach, the aircraft was positioned too low and struck a dyke with its main landing gear, leading to a crash landing.
Injuries and Damage
Of the 76 persons on board, approximately half suffered minor injuries or shock; no one was killed. The aircraft was severely damaged by impact forces and subsequent fire.
Probable Cause
The probable cause of the accident was the failure of the pilot to properly plan and execute the approach to a landing. Factors that may have contributed were the shortened runway and the unmarked upper portion of the dike.