Investigation Summary
The approach to Runway 18 was complicated by ongoing airport construction which had disabled the glide slope, middle marker, and approach lighting system. This required the crew to perform a non-precision approach, maintaining 1,290 feet MSL until establishing visual contact with the runway. However, the crew initiated a descent below this altitude in light snow and darkness. The NTSB investigation highlighted that the irregular, partially lighted terrain likely created an optical illusion of adequate clearance. Furthermore, the crew failed to perform required altimeter cross-checks, which would have alerted them that they were nearly 400 feet below the required altitude when they struck the first trees.
Final Conclusions
The NTSB determined the probable cause was the crew's attempt to conduct a night, visual, no-glide-slope approach during deteriorating weather without adequate altimeter cross-reference. The board noted that the visual reference to irregular terrain likely produced an illusion of sufficient altitude. Contributing factors included the inoperative status of critical approach aids (glide slope and approach lights) due to runway construction.
Video Analysis
Crash of TWA Flight 128 on approach to Greater Cincinnati Airport — A retrospective on the 1967 crash of TWA Flight 128, featuring survivor accounts and an overview of the NTSB findings regarding the approach to Runway 18.
If playback is blocked, the owner has disabled embedding — use the link above.
Airframe & Maintenance
Crew Experience
Captain
Charles L. Cochran, aged 45.
First Officer
Robert P. Moyers, aged 33.
Flight Engineer
Jerry L. Roades, aged 29. Had 288 hours as a flight engineer on type but 0 as a pilot on type.
Systems & Failure Modes
Instrument Landing System (ILS)
The glide slope component was inoperative due to construction, forcing the crew to rely on a non-precision visual approach.
Altimeters
The crew failed to perform required cross-references between the captain's and first officer's altimeters during the descent.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was a Convair 880 manufactured in 1960 and had accumulated 18,850 flight hours.
- 02The ILS glide slope, middle marker, and approach lights were all inoperative at the time of the accident.
- 03The minimum approach altitude for the conditions was 1,290 feet MSL; the aircraft struck trees at 875 feet MSL.
- 04Of the 82 people on board, 12 survived (10 passengers and 2 crew members).
- 05The accident remains the deadliest aviation disaster in Kentucky history.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Infrastructure Improvements
Following the accident, high-intensity approach lights and glide-slope equipment were installed on the hillside for Runway 18, completed in July 1969.