Initial contact with the runway occurred well down the runway at an airspeed considerably above the stalling speed of the aircraft. The aircraft bounced approximately 20 feet in the air and remained airborne for several hundred feet before again contacting the runway. After another shorter bounce the aircraft remained on the runway and brakes were applied in an attempt to stop. However, due to the airspeed, which was still relatively high, and the snow and slush which covered the runway, little deceleration was accomplished. The aircraft continued off the end of the runway, demolished a small wooden building which housed the localizer transmtter, and came to rest in Flushing Bay approximately 200 feet beyond the field boundary.
Subsequent rescue efforts by personnel of the Cost Guard, the Pan American Airways, and the New York City Police Department, succeeded in the removal of the occupants of the aircraft. However, one passenger did not respond to artificial respiration and comprised the only fatality.
Investigation
Witnesses to the second approach of Flight 14 testified that the aircraft was seen to descend to an altitude of about 300 feet approximately one mile southwest of the airport boundary. While banking slightly in both directions as it maneuvered to align with runway, the aircraft maintained a fairly constant altitude until past the edge or the runway. An abrupt change in flight path was then observed and the aircraft descended rapidly. Testimony of witnesses indicated that initial contact was made at a point approximately 3500 feet from the approach end of the runway and that the aircraft bounced noticeably and remained airborne for a considerable distance before a second contact was made.
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