Page:CAB Accident Report, Eastern Air Lines Flight 609.pdf/1

 File No. 1-0042

ADOPTED: August 19, 1959

At 1809, May 6, 1959, during final approach for landing on runway 18 at the Washington National Airport, Washington, D. C., Eastern Air Lines Flight 609 struck the localizer shack with the main landing gear. The impact badly damaged the right main gear. A short distance down the runway the right wheel assembly and strut piston separated. The aircraft then rolled on the left main and nose gears and slid on the remaining portion of the right gear. It gradually moved off the runway to the right and before it stopped the remaining portion of the right main gear collapsed. None of the 6 crew members or 63 passengers received serious injury. The aircraft, a DC-7B, N 824D, received major damage.

This accident, which occurred in nearly perfect weather conditions, was caused by Captain Smith's faulty judgment of altitude during final approach just prior to landing. It is the Board's opinion that the misjudgment resulted from a lack of the attention and concentration required to judge height accurately during a critical phase of flight. Captain Smith, a veteran pilot, stated there were no extenuating circumstances and the Board found none.

As corrective measures, the Board recommends that the company re-emphasize that the highest degree of concentration is necessary to produce the most accurate sensory responses. The company should also warn its operational personnel against apathy which can be engendered unknowingly in an ideal and nonstimulating flight environment.

At 1657, following routine preparations, Eastern Air Lines Flight 609 originated at Newark, New Jersey, as scheduled. Its destination was Jacksonville, Florida, with three intermediate steps, one of which was Washington, D. G. A flight crew of six, under the command of Captain C. J. Smith, and 63 passengers were aboard the DC-7B, N 824D.

Captain Smith, in the left seat, flew the entire ﬂight segment to Washington. The flight operated at 10,000 feet in clear weather and in accordance with an IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) flight plan and clearance. Approaching Washington, the flight was assisted by radar vectoring and was advised that Georgetown approaches were in effect for landing on runway 18. The weather

USCOMM-DC-25071