CIVIL AERONAUTICS BOARD
AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT REPORT
STANDARD AIRWAYS, INC. LOCKHEED CONSTELLATION, L-1049G
N 189S, MANHATTAN MUNICIPAL AIRPORT
MANHATTAN, KANSAS, MAY 28, 1963
SYNOPSIS
On May 28, 1963, at 1746 c.s.t., a Standard Airways, Inc., Lockheed Constellation L-1049G, N 189S, operating as Civil Air Movement (CAM) Flight 388C, crashed and burned during the final stages of a VFR landing approach to runway 21 at Manhattan Municipal Airport, Manhattan, Kansas.
The aircraft was substantially damaged by impact and was destroyed in the resultant fire. None of the six crew members were injured and only one of the 64 military passengers sustained serious injury.
The Board determines the probable cause of this accident was the inflight reversal of the No. 3 propeller due to a propeller power unit malfunction resulting from improper maintenance practices and inspection procedures.
Investlgatlon
A Standard Airways Lockheed Constellation, L-1049G, N 189S operating under a military contract as Civil Air Movement (CAM} Flight 388C, crashed and burned during a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) landing approach to Manhattan Municipal Airport, Manhattan, Kansas, on May 28, 1963, at 1746 c.s.t.[1] There were 64 military passengers and a crew of six. There were no fatalities and only one passenger was seriously injured.
Fllght 388C was scheduled nonstop from Daggett, California, to Manhattan, Kansas. The crew consisted of Captain David R Brown, First Officer Joseph A Merlo, Flight Engineer Peter H Raymen, Stewardesses Sandra R. Wise. and Ann H. Allen, and Pilot/Observer Penrod Rideout who was assigned to this flight to observe operating procedures preparatory to transitioning to L-1049 type aircraft.
The aircraft was serviced with fuel and oil at the company's maintenance base in Long Beach, California, and departed for Daggett at 1210. The only maintenance required prior to departure was the replacement of the Y-lead, high tension ignition leads, and spark plugs of cylinders Nos. 12 and 13 on the No. 3 engine.
Upon arrival at Daggett at 1245, Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) and Military Air Transport Service (MATS) inspectors conducted a visual ramp inspection of the aircraft and interrogation of the crew. The only discrepancy noted was a small area of corrosion on the underside of the aft fuselage in the vicinity of the lavatory service area.
- ↑ All times herein are central standard based on the 24-hour clock
