– 2 –
was routine except for light to moderate turbulence experienced during the last 30 minutes. One flight attendant also stated that the captain was flying the aircraft. The landing was made at New Orleans International (Moisant) Airport at 0051.
Following a normal U. S. Customs inspection of the aircraft and baggage, all passengers for the continuing flight boarded the aircraft. The aircraft computed takeoff gross weight of 213,871 pounds was less than the 215,000 maximum allowable for the airport, and the center of gravity (c. g.) of 25.2 percent was within the allowable limits of 16.5 to 32 percent.
At 0159.46 the local controller observed Flight 304 commence the takeoff (See Attachment A). The lift-off appeared normal, and at approximately 0201 he advised the flight to contact Departure Control, which was acknowledged. He estimated that the flight was two or three miles north of the airport when the lights disappeared into the overcast. Voice communication and radar contact were established immediately between the flight and the departure controller who advised them to "…turn right heading 030, be a vector north of J-37 (the planned route of flight)." While the flight continued on this vector, the departure controller contacted the New Orleans Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC). The radar target was identified five miles north of the New Orleans VORTAC, and a radar handoff was effected at 0202.38. Flight 304 was instructed to "…contact New Orleans Center radar, frequency 123.6 now." At 0203.15 the crew replied, "OK." This was the last transmission received from the flight. At 0205.40, when no transmissions had been received from the flight, the center controller contacted the departure controller to verify that proper instructions had been given. During this conversation both controllers confirmed that the radar target associated with the flight had disappeared from both scopes, and emergency procedures were initiated shortly thereafter. The last position noted by the controllers was approximately eight miles from the New Orleans VORTAC on the 030-degree radial. The aircraft crashed at 14.5 miles on the 034-degree radial, in Lake Pontchartrain.
Statements were obtained from 29 witnesses, 14 of whom were located on the north shore of the lake, closest to the crash site. Eleven of these reported hearing an explosive rumble, and three described a tornado-like sound or terrible scream. Three also stated they saw a fire-like glow in the vicinity of the lake.
1.2 Injuries to persons
| Injuries | Crew | Passengers | Others |
| Fatal | 7 | 51 | 0 |
| Non-Fatal | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| None | 0 | 0 | 0 |
1.3 Damage to aircraft
The aircraft was destroyed at impact.
1.4 Other damage
None.
