Lockheed L-188 Electra crash, Feb 3, 1959 (65 killed), Ne...
Lockheed L-188 Electra accident on February 3, 1959 near New York-LaGuardia New York, United States with 65 fatalities. Cause: The Civil Aeronautics...
- Date: February 3, 1959
- Aircraft: Lockheed L-188 Electra
- Location: New York-LaGuardia New York, United States
- Fatalities: 65
- Phase of flight: Approach and landing
- Cause: The Civil Aeronautics Board found that the crew failed to monitor essential flight instruments during the descent, so the aircraft flew below the intended glide path. Contributing factors included the crew's limited experience on the Electra and poor weather.
American Airlines Flight 320, a new Electra, struck the East River short of the runway while making an instrument approach to LaGuardia at night. Of 73 aboard, 65 died. The Board found a premature descent below minimums caused by crew preoccupation.