On February 17, 1956, Eastern Air Lines Flight 156, a Martin 404 N 445A, flipped at the Owensboro Airport on its way from Evansville. The flight, under the command of Captain Robert L. Johnson, was making a landing attempt in challenging weather conditions, characterized by a low cloud ceiling and poor visibility due to rain and fog.
During its final approach, the aircraft was improperly handled, leading to a stall during a steep left turn at an altitude that was too low to allow for recovery. This miscalculation resulted in the aircraft crashing at approximately 14:58. Despite the circumstances, all 23 individuals onboard, comprising three crew members and 20 passengers, miraculously escaped serious injury. However, the aircraft suffered damages beyond economical repair.
The investigation concluded that the primary cause of the accident was the improperly executed final approach, which did not adhere to standard procedures, resulting in a loss of control at a critical moment. This incident highlighted the importance of strict adherence to flight operation procedures, especially under adverse weather conditions, to ensure the safety of both passengers and crew.
Eck Miller transported the fuselage from the airport and down Parrish Avenue to the load it on a railcar for transportation.
Read the full report here.
