What happened
On July 2, 1963, at approximately 16:49 EDT, a Martin 404, registration N449A, was performing a scheduled flight from Rochester, New York, to Newark, New Jersey. The aircraft, operated by Mohawk Airlines, Inc., began its takeoff roll on runway 28 at the Rochester-Monroe County Airport.
At the time of departure, a thunderstorm was moving from the west-northwest directly over the active runway. Shortly after the aircraft became airborne, it encountered intense rainfall and turbulent wind shifts. During this period, the left wing of the plane struck the ground. The impact caused the aircraft to cartwheel across the terrain, resulting in its total destruction by fire and structural failure. Of the forty-three people on board, there were seven fatalities, which included both members of the flight crew.
Findings
Investigations into the accident concluded that the primary factor was a loss of control occurring as the crew attempted to execute a takeoff maneuver into the midst of a severe thunderstorm.