Investigation Summary
TWA Flight 513, named the 'Star of Lisbon', was conducting a routine training flight near Reading, Pennsylvania, when an electrical fault occurred. Investigators determined that electrical wiring in the baggage compartment arced, igniting nearby materials and starting a fire. The design of the aircraft allowed smoke and heat from the baggage area to quickly penetrate the cockpit and cabin. The resulting smoke was so dense that the pilots were unable to see their instruments or out of the windshield, leading to a loss of control. The sole survivor was the instructor pilot, Captain Richard F. Brown, who was thrown from the aircraft during the breakup. This crash followed a series of other engine and cabin fires in the newly introduced Constellation, prompting the Civil Aeronautics Administration to take the drastic step of grounding the type.
Final Conclusions
The probable cause was an in-flight fire originating from electrical arcing in the baggage compartment, which resulted in the loss of aircraft control due to smoke incapacitation of the crew. The investigation highlighted critical vulnerabilities in the L-049's electrical insulation and fire detection systems.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Systems & Failure Modes
Baggage Compartment Wiring
Electrical wiring located in the cargo area arced, serving as the ignition source for the fatal fire.
Fire Detection and Suppression
At the time of the accident, the aircraft lacked adequate fire detection and suppression equipment in the cargo holds, a deficiency addressed during the subsequent grounding.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was a Lockheed L-049 Constellation named 'Star of Lisbon'.
- 02The flight was a training mission with six crew members and no passengers.
- 03Five crew members were killed; one survived with injuries.
- 04The accident resulted in a 42-day grounding of all Lockheed Constellations.
- 05The crash site was located at 40°24′58″N 75°59′29″W in Bern Township.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Constellation Fleet Grounding
All Lockheed Constellations were grounded from July 12 to August 23, 1946, to allow for the installation of improved cargo fire detection and suppression equipment and the replacement of hazardous electrical insulation.