LOSS OF ELECTRA

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29336, 15 October 1960, Page 16

LOSS OF ELECTRA

‘Birds Caused Crash’ (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) WASHINGTON, October 12. Investigators had unearthed solid evidence that an impact with an immense flock of birds caused the crash of an Eastern Airlines Lockheed • Electra at Boston on October 4, a United States Government aviation official, Mr E. Quesada, told United Press International. There was definite indication that two engines of the • giant prop-jet airliner failed after the plane hit a flock of up to 20,000 migrating starlings. Mr Quesada, just back from Boston, revealed these facts about that tragedy that killed 61 persons.

The Electra was airborne for only about 25sec, when it hit the birds, estimated at not less than 10,000 birds and as many as 20,000.

One engine was found with its propeller feathered, indicating a “flame-out,” or failure. There was also some evidence that a second engine failed at the same time. A stall could result if two engines on a four-engine plane failed and the aircraft was- airborne less than 30sec, he said. The engines still were being examined to determine the presence of the remains of birds in vital parts. Mr Quesada, who has been sharply criticised in Congress for not grounding all Electras, added: “There is absolutely no evidence that the Boston accident was in any way associated with the type of structural failure that caused two previous Electra crashes.”