Page:CAB Accident Report, Northeast Airlines Flight 801.pdf/1

 SA-252

C I V I LA E R O N A U T I C SB O A R D ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Adopted: November 14, 1952

NORTHEAST AIRLINES, INC. – NEAR LA GUARDIA FIELD, NEW YORK, JANUARY 14, 1952

Northeast Airlines' Flight No. 801 of January 14, 1952, crashed in Flushing Bay, New York, about 3,600 feet northeast (short) of Runway No. 22 of LaGuardia Field at about 0903. Five of the 33 passengers were seriously injured; all others and the three crew members were slightly injured. The Convair, Model CV-240, N 91238, received major damage by impact, immersion and subsequent salvage operations.

Flight 801 originated at Boston, Massachusetts, for LaGuardia Field, nonstop, with a crew of Captain A. V. R. Marsh, First Officer Austin E. Briggs, and stewardess Carolyn M. Hull. It departed Boston at 0745, as scheduled, in accordance with Instrument Flight Rules, via Airways Amber 7 and Red 3 to LaGuardia. Idlewild (New York International) Airport was the specified alternate. Upon departure from Boston the aircraft's gross weight was 38,023 pounds, with a maximum allowable weight of 39,650 pounds, and the center of gravity was prescribed limits.

The flight proceeded uneventfully at its assigned altitude of 6,000 feet MSL in instrument weather with almost continuous rain. No actual icing occurred although the aircraft's de-icing equipment was used as a precaution because of the near freezing air temperatures. All required position reports were routine. At approximately 0845, the flight contacted LaGuardia approach