March 23, 1954

TO:

Messrs. George, Denny, Ryan, Lee, Adams, The Executive Director

FROM:

Director, Bureau of Safety investigation

SUBJECT:

Accident Notification – Trans World Airlines, Martin 404, Midway Airport, Chicago, Illinois, March 25, 1954

An accident occurred at the Chicago Midway Airport, Chicago, Illinois at 0315C, March 25, 1954, Involving Trans World Airlines Flight 411, a non-stop operation from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Chicago. The equipment was a Martin 404, N 40416. On board were four passengers and a crew of three consisting of Captain Clifford V. Sparrow, Copilot Raymond B. Fowler and Stewardess Donna Whitmore. No injuries were sustained by crew or passengers; however, there was considerable damage to the aircraft.

An its approach and landing was made from the southeast over the Kedzie compass locator which is the reverse course of the facility at Chicago Midway Airport. The crew reported that all of the airport system was seen prior to crossing the threshold of runway 311.

The control power operator and the crew reported that the aircraft made a normal touchdown on runway 311 insofar as altitude and position to concerned. The crew started that the aircraft made a mile skip after the main landing gear had contracted the runway. This was followed by at least three cycles of the nose-wheel leaving the runway surface even though the control column was held forward.

According to the captain, the propeller pitch contract could not be actuated. The nose-wheel fork shared and the aircraft slid on its nose and main landing gear, turning ninety degrees to its left are coming to rest about 100 feet to the left of runway 311 and approximately 1000 feet from the far end of the runway.

Damage reported was to the propeller blades, entirely nose-steel assembly and forward belly of the fuselage. The gross load was within 40 pounds of the allowable 43,650 at the time of department from Pittsburgh, and moderate turbulence was encountered en route.

Reported weather at Chicago at 0314C was: ceiling estimated 2000 feet, overcast; visibility one miles' heavy thunderstorm, heavy rain, and moderate smoke; wind east 10 miles per hour; altimeter setting 29.53.

Investigations Powell, Stillwagon, and Hedlund of the Board's Chicago office are at the scene.

W. K. Andrews