Accident Description
At approximately 2356 local time, an aircraft crashed into the East River while attempting an instrument approach to runway 22 at LaGuardia Airport. The aircraft carried 73 persons, including one infant. The crew employed an autopilot in heading mode during the approach. The captain's altimeter had been erroneously set. Weather conditions in the approach area were described as marginal. The crew had limited experience with the aircraft type.
Injuries and Survivors
The captain and one stewardess were killed. The first officer, flight engineer, and the remaining stewardess survived. Among the 68 passengers, 5 survived.
Investigation and Findings
The investigation determined that the crew descended below the established landing minimums prematurely. This premature descent was attributed to the crew's preoccupation with specific aspects of the aircraft and its environment, leading them to neglect essential flight instrument references for attitude and height above the approach surface. Several contributing factors were identified: the crew's limited experience with the aircraft type, a faulty approach technique that used the autopilot in heading mode to or almost to the surface, the erroneous setting of the captain's altimeter, marginal weather in the approach area, possible misinterpretation of the altimeter and rate of descent indicator, and a sensory illusion regarding height and attitude caused by visual reference to the few lights present in the approach area.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause of the accident was premature descent below landing minimums, resulting from the crew's preoccupation with particular aspects of the aircraft and its environment to the neglect of essential flight instrument references for attitude and height above the approach surface. Contributing factors included: limited experience of the crew with the aircraft type, faulty approach technique using autopilot heading mode to or almost to the surface, erroneous setting of the captain's altimeter, marginal weather in the approach area, possible misinterpretation of altimeter and rate of descent indicator, and sensory illusion with respect to height and attitude from visual reference to the few lights in the approach area.