The report presents the National Transportation Safety Board's investigation of a crash landing involving the Trans World Airlines, Inc., Flight 514, a Boeing 727-231, N54328, which crashed about 25 nautical miles northwest of Dulles International Airport, Washington, D.C. The accident occurred while the flight was descending for a VOR/DME approach to runway 12 at Dulles in instrument meteorological conditions. The 92 occupants -- 85 passengers and 7 crewmembers were killed, and the aircraft was destroyed. The Board determines that the probable cause of the accident was the crew's decision to descend to 1,800 feet before the aircraft had reached the approach segment where that minimum altitude applied. Contributing factors were: (1) The failure of the FAA to take timely action to resolve the confusion and misinterpretation of air traffic terminology although the Agency had been aware of the problem for several years; (2) the issuance of the approach clearance when the flight was 44 miles from the airport on an unpublished route without clearly defined minimum altitudes; and (3) inadequate depiction of altitude restrictions on the profile view of the approach chart for the VOR/DME approach to runway 12 at Dulles International Airport.
Trans World Airlines, Inc. Boeing 727-231, N54328, Berryville, Virginia, December 1, 1974
1975
121 pages
Report
No indication
English