KLM Flight 633
Encyclopedia
KLM Flight 633 was a passenger flight from Amsterdam
to New York City
. On September 5, 1954, immediately after takeoff from Shannon Airport
, the plane ditched on a mudbank in the River Shannon
. 28 people were killed in the accident.
Super Constellation
Triton (registration PH-LKY) was piloted by Adriaan Viruly, one of the airline's most senior pilots. After a refueling stop at Shannon, the plane took off for the transatlantic leg of the flight at about 02:30. There were 46 passengers and 10 crew on board.
Less than a minute after takeoff, the aircraft crashed into a mudbank of the river. Although the crash site was only about 2500 metres from the airport, no one was aware of the disaster. Rescue operations were only started after the plane's navigator escaped the wreck, got back to the shore and managed to reach the airport.
The aircraft was partially submerged, and at least one of the fuel tanks had ruptured during the crash. The fuel fumes rendered many passengers and crew unconscious, who then drowned in the rising tide. In the end, 3 crewmembers and 25 passengers perished.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. On September 5, 1954, immediately after takeoff from Shannon Airport
Shannon Airport
Shannon Airport, is one of the Republic of Ireland's three primary airports along with Dublin and Cork. In 2010 around 1,750,000 passengers passed through the airport, making it the third busiest airport in the Republic of Ireland after Dublin and Cork, and the fifth busiest airport on the island...
, the plane ditched on a mudbank in the River Shannon
River Shannon
The River Shannon is the longest river in Ireland at . It divides the west of Ireland from the east and south . County Clare, being west of the Shannon but part of the province of Munster, is the major exception...
. 28 people were killed in the accident.
Triton disaster
The LockheedLockheed Corporation
The Lockheed Corporation was an American aerospace company. Lockheed was founded in 1912 and later merged with Martin Marietta to form Lockheed Martin in 1995.-Origins:...
Super Constellation
Lockheed Constellation
The Lockheed Constellation was a propeller-driven airliner powered by four 18-cylinder radial Wright R-3350 engines. It was built by Lockheed between 1943 and 1958 at its Burbank, California, USA, facility. A total of 856 aircraft were produced in numerous models, all distinguished by a...
Triton (registration PH-LKY) was piloted by Adriaan Viruly, one of the airline's most senior pilots. After a refueling stop at Shannon, the plane took off for the transatlantic leg of the flight at about 02:30. There were 46 passengers and 10 crew on board.
Less than a minute after takeoff, the aircraft crashed into a mudbank of the river. Although the crash site was only about 2500 metres from the airport, no one was aware of the disaster. Rescue operations were only started after the plane's navigator escaped the wreck, got back to the shore and managed to reach the airport.
The aircraft was partially submerged, and at least one of the fuel tanks had ruptured during the crash. The fuel fumes rendered many passengers and crew unconscious, who then drowned in the rising tide. In the end, 3 crewmembers and 25 passengers perished.