What happened
During a flight originating from Jakarta, the crew initiated their descent toward Singapore-Kallang under favorable weather conditions. While performing the final approach to runway 06, the Lockheed Constellation, known as 'Belfast', struck a sea wall due to an insufficient altitude. Following this impact, the aircraft bounced and made contact with the ground approximately 80 yards beyond the runway threshold.
Upon touchdown, the right main landing gear failed. This caused the aircraft to veer toward the right side of the runway, leading to the separation of the right wing. The wreckage subsequently overturned and caught fire. The accident resulted in 33 fatalities, which included all 31 passengers on board, while 7 crew members sustained injuries.
Findings
Investigations into the crash focused on the flight path during the approach. While some observers noted the descent appeared standard, the aircraft failed to maintain a consistent glide path and rate of descent relative to the proximity of the sea wall hazard. The landing pattern was deemed irregular for the circumstances of the approach.
Investigators considered whether the pilot's decision-making regarding the touchdown point contributed to the event. It was noted that the actual point of impact occurred closer to the runway threshold than intended. This deviation in the flight path may have been influenced by pilot fatigue.