KLM Flight 607-E

KLM Flight 607-E

A KLM L-1049 similar to the one involved in the crash.
Accident summary
Date 14 August 1958
Summary Undetermined
Site the Atlantic Ocean 110 mi NNW of Ireland
Passengers 91
Crew 8
Injuries (non-fatal) 0
Fatalities 99
Survivors 0
Aircraft type Lockheed L-1049H-01-06-162 Super Constellation
Aircraft name Hugo de Groot
Operator KLM
Registration PH-LKM
Flight origin Amsterdam
1st stopover Shannon Airport, Ireland
Last stopover Gander, Newfoundland
Destination New York City

KLM Flight 607-E, flown by Lockheed L-1049H-01-06-162 Super Constellation Hugo de Groot registered as PH-LKM, was an international scheduled flight that crashed 180 kilometres (110 mi) west of Shannon, County Clare on 14 August 1958. All of the 91 passengers and eight crew died in the accident, including six members of the Egyptian fencing team.[1] The "E" in the flight number stood for the designation of being an extra economy class flight to match the increased seasonal tourist demand.[2]

Flight 607-E departed Shannon at 3:05 GMT on the second leg of a transatlantic trip from Amsterdam to New York City with intermediate stops in Shannon and Gander, Newfoundland. Radio contact with the aircraft was lost at approximately 3:40 GMT; a rescue operation was launched which found light debris on the surface of the ocean approximately 180 km west of Shannon. The remains of 34 of those on board were also recovered.

Due to the lack of evidence, Irish and Dutch investigators could not pinpoint a probable cause for the accident. They examined the possibility of a bomb, electrical failure or pilot error, but believed that the most likely possibility was a catastrophic mechanical failure. The cause of the accident is believed to be a malfunctioning overspeeding outboard propeller caused by metal particles obstructing oil feed line regulator valves. The particles may have been formed by a gear that was damaged when the supercharger of the corresponding engine was accelerated (gear ratio shifted). The malfunctions of the propeller pitch might have provoked a flight disturbance and as a consequence the propeller may have sheared off.

Burial

Many victims of the disaster were buried in Bohermore Cemetery in Galway.

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20061012/news_1s12crshlist.html
  2. ↑ "Tragedy for Homeward-Bound Vacationers". LIFE. Time Inc. August 25, 1958. Volume 45, No. 8. Page 28. ISSN 0024-3019. Accessed on Google Books. Retrieved on 6 November 2009.

External links

Coordinates: 53°12′30″N 11°53′00″W / 53.20833°N 11.88333°W