What happened
Late in the evening, an aircraft was conducting an instrument approach toward runway 22 at LaGuardia Airport. During this phase of flight, the plane struck the East River. The flight carried a total of 73 people, including one infant. Among the crew, the captain and one flight attendant lost their lives, while the first officer, the flight engineer, and another flight attendant survived. Of the 68 passengers on board, only 5 individuals survived the impact.
Findings
Investigations determined that the aircraft descended below established landing minimums prematurely. This descent occurred because the crew became distracted by specific elements of the aircraft's environment, leading them to lose focus on critical flight instruments regarding altitude and attitude. Several contributing factors were identified during the inquiry:
- The crew possessed limited experience operating this specific aircraft type.
- An improper approach technique was utilized, involving the use of autopilot in heading mode nearly down to the water's surface.
- There was an incorrect setting on the captain's altimeter.
- Weather conditions in the vicinity of the approach were marginal.
- The crew may have misinterpreted the rate of descent indicator and the altimeter.
- Sensory illusions regarding height and attitude occurred due to the crew's visual reliance on sparse lights available in the approach area.