Evening star., 1962-03-01
Crash Of New York Jet Kills Q5
Plane FIips Over
After ukeoff and
Falls Into Water
By WILLIAM HINES
Star Staff M,ritnr

NEW YORK, Mar. Am American Airlines
AStro-Jet crashed about 2a miles southwest of Idle
wlld airport this morning killing all 95 persons
aboard.
The crash-apparenty the result of engine failure
occurred only about 80 seconds after the huge Los Angeles
bound Boeing TOT jet liner took off from runway 31-L.
Eyewnesses quoted saying the plane went into
turn then fpped over into the shallow waters of Jamaica
The crash occurred at 1918 am according to American
Airlines officials. Il
Hometown Identification of the victims was not mmed
aely available The airline listed 81 passengers and
members.
formed president and board chairman of the Cities Service
OIL Co, and gofng and quail shooting companion Of
former President Eisenhower ,'I
The airline later added the of Admiral and Mrs.
R. L. Connolly" 1t is understood that Admiral Connolly
Worst Disaster of Its Kind
Todays crash the Nations largest disaster involving
a single civilian plane.
highest previous toll a single plane lives
lost in the crash of Trans World Arways Constellation in
corned near Chicago's Midway Airport last September
twopane collision New York cost 1874 lives in 960
Policemen and firemen wading in hip boots rowing in
small boats searched Long Island in search for
wreckage.
Investigators said there unquestiOnaby explosion
but they did not know whether occurred before after the
The plane of the most advanced aircraft in
service in American commercial aviation designated Amer
lean Arlines flight No. the first jet flight Of the day to Los
Angeles.
1t scheduled nonstop flight due to leave Idewild
at GAS The S2 minute lapse between scheduled depar
tre time and actual wheels up not unusual in jet aviation
The weather at Idlewid excellent and ceiling and
visibility unlimited There clouds in the sky and
only light breeze.
| Trouble Developed Suddenly
Airline officials would no guess the reason
for the tragedy Whatever the trouble apparently developed
very suddenly.
R. g. (Red Sutherland public relations representative
for the arnes happened to be in the main control tower
which is operated by the Federal Aviation Agency Mr. Suher
emergency from the plane There distress
gency signals" he said
early report from the New York City Fire Department
said the crashed arpane "engulfed flames Later
reports, however, said there very little flame"
airline official flew over the scene the crash
seemed flames after the plane
entered the water possibly reaction to the cold water Of the
bay coming in contact with the hot part of the engine
Catholic priest the Rev. Dooley said he had
the plane down and that flame in evidence before
the crash.
Bodies Being Extricated
Bodies being extricaed from the twisted wreckage
of sunk the shallow waters of the Men boats
in hip boots struggled to the bodies while hell
copers swed overhead pong wreckage where other
bodies might be trapped
Police ambulances took bodies to Bellevue Hospital
Manhattan about 20 miles from the Police and fire
sealed off roads to the curious from inter-
fering with rescue operations
The sharp turn which eyewtnesses Immediately after
the plane took off said by airline officials to be normal
procedure.