Lockheed L-1649 Starliner crash, Jun 26, 1959 (68 killed)
Lockheed L-1649 Starliner accident on June 26, 1959 near Milan Lombardy, Italy with 68 fatalities. Cause: Fuel vapor explosion in a fuel tank, probably...
- Date: June 26, 1959
- Aircraft: Lockheed L-1649 Starliner
- Location: Milan Lombardy, Italy
- Fatalities: 68
- Phase of flight: En route
- Cause: Fuel vapor explosion in a fuel tank, probably ignited by a lightning strike during a thunderstorm, caused the in flight breakup.
Shortly after leaving Milan Malpensa, the Starliner flew into a thunderstorm at about 10,000 feet. It is believed lightning struck the aircraft and a wing separated in flight. The aircraft crashed northwest of Milan and all 68 people on board died.