1955 MacArthur Airport United Air Lines crash

Tragedy at Long Island MacArthur Airport: The United Airlines DC-6 Crash

Imagine a clear day in April 1955, with the sun shining brightly over Long Island MacArthur Airport. A Douglas DC-6 named Mainliner Idaho was about to take off, carrying three crew members on an important mission for instrument rating checks.

The Unexpected Twist

But what happened next? The plane began banking sharply to the right and continued to roll through 90 degrees before striking the ground. It was as if the aircraft had been struck by a sudden, unseen force. Could it have been something so simple that no one saw coming?

The Investigation Begins

The Civil Aeronautics Board (now known as the Federal Aviation Administration) launched an investigation to uncover the truth behind this tragic event. They found that a simulated engine failure procedure had gone wrong, causing the propeller on one side of the aircraft to reverse. This reversed thrust created an uncontrollable situation for the pilots.

Understanding the Mechanics

The DC-6 was designed with an automatic system to prevent accidental reversal of propeller blades while in flight. However, this system failed during takeoff. Imagine a safety net that should have caught you but didn’t—leaving you vulnerable and exposed.

Airworthiness Directive

In the aftermath, the CAA issued an Airworthiness Directive for DC-6 aircraft to be fitted with a device preventing accidental propeller blade reversal. United Airlines also began installing reverse thrust indicator lights in their DC-6 aircraft. These measures were aimed at ensuring that such incidents would not happen again.

Lessons Learned

The incident involved:

• A United Airlines check captain, Stanley C. Hoyt, age 45
• Two pilots being trained by Hoyt: Henry M. Dozier and Vernis H. Webb
• The aircraft was a Douglas DC-6 (registration N37512)
• Weather conditions were clear with strong winds
• The takeoff weight was around 61,000 pounds, below the maximum permissible weight

The propellers on one side of the aircraft had reversed, and when power was applied to that engine after take-off, it created more reverse thrust. This made the situation worse rather than better for the pilots.

Aftermath and Innovations

The accident led to significant changes in aviation safety protocols. The Airworthiness Directive required DC-6 and DC-6B aircraft with a sequence gate latch, which is a metal bar that manually prevents reverse thrust levers from being retarded into the reverse position. This device was intended to make propeller reversal more reliable and safer than existing systems.

United Airlines had installed this device on some of its DC-6 aircraft just one week before the accident, citing successful use in service on their DC-7 fleet. They were also installing reverse thrust indicator lights to warn pilots if they accidentally reversed engines during landing roll.

Other Accidents

The incident at Long Island MacArthur Airport was not an isolated case. Since then, there have been several other accidents involving reverse thrust, including crashes of Douglas DC-8s, Japan Airlines Flight 350, Lauda Air Flight 004, and TAM Airlines Fokker 100.

These events serve as a stark reminder that even the most advanced technology can fail if not properly managed. The key lesson is to always be vigilant and prepared for unexpected situations.

The story of the United Airlines DC-6 crash at Long Island MacArthur Airport is a powerful reminder of the importance of safety in aviation. It highlights how even the smallest oversight can lead to catastrophic consequences, and it underscores the need for continuous improvement in aircraft design and operational procedures.