Investigation Summary
Flight 307 was operating a multi-stop route from Washington D.C. to Winnipeg. During the final leg from Madison to Minneapolis, the flight encountered deteriorating weather including freezing rain and blowing snow. Upon arrival at Minneapolis, the crew was informed of a 900 foot ceiling and variable visibility between 0.5 and 0.75 miles. The tower specifically informed the flight that the ILS was serviceable but had not been flight-checked. While attempting an ILS approach to Runway 35, the aircraft descended below the glide path and drifted west of the centerline. The left wing struck a 70 foot tall steel flagpole at the entrance of Fort Snelling National Cemetery, shearing off the top of the pole and the aircraft's left wing tip. At the time of impact, the aircraft was 128 feet below the ILS glide path and 126 feet below the low limit line. Captain Jones attempted to abort the landing and advised the tower he would climb to 2,400 feet, but the structural integrity of the wing was compromised. The aircraft never reached the intended altitude; approximately 3.8 miles northwest of the airport, the outboard section of the left wing completely separated near the Washburn Park Water Tower while the aircraft was at approximately 300 feet. The resulting loss of lift caused the aircraft to enter an uncontrollable dive, crashing into a residence at 1116 West Minnehaha Parkway.
Final Conclusions
The Civil Aeronautics Board determined the probable cause was the pilot's attempt to complete a landing approach after losing visual reference to the ground. The investigation noted the aircraft was 128 feet below the ILS glide path (and 126 feet below the low limit line) and 650 feet west of the runway centerline at the time of the initial impact. A contributing factor may have been the 'prop wash' and blown snow from a Boeing 377 that had just taken off, which likely further obscured the runway environment for the following Flight 307.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Crew Experience
Captain
Qualified as captain Feb 1, 1943; also served as a check pilot.
First Officer
Received airline transport pilot rating in December 1949.
Systems & Failure Modes
ILS (Instrument Landing System)
The crew was using the ILS for Runway 35; however, the tower noted it had not been recently flight-checked and the aircraft descended significantly below the glide path.
Left Wing Structure
The impact with the flagpole caused structural failure of the front spar, leading to the eventual separation of the outboard wing section during the go-around maneuver.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft struck the flagpole while 128 feet below the ILS glide path.
- 02Two children sleeping in the Doughty family home were killed on the ground.
- 03The flagpole was marked by functioning red neon lights at the time of the accident.
- 04The accident was one of five fatal crashes involving Northwest's Martin 2-0-2 fleet between 1948 and 1951.
- 05Northwest Orient Airlines retired its entire Martin 2-0-2 fleet ten days after the first anniversary of this crash.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Fleet Retirement
Following a series of five fatal accidents involving the Martin 2-0-2, Northwest Orient Airlines withdrew the type from service on March 17, 1951.