- ACCIDENT DETAILS
Date: June 17, 1948
Time: 1241
Location: Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania
Operator: United Air Lines
Flight #: 624
Route: Chicago - New York City
AC Type: Douglas DC-6
Registration: NC37506
cn / ln: 42871/12
Aboard: 43   (passengers:39  crew:4)
Fatalities: 43   (passengers:39  crew:4)
Ground: 0
Summary: The plane crashed after an in-flight fire in cargo hold. The crew discharged carbon dioxide extinguishers into the cargo hold in response to the fire warning. When the plane's nose was lowered for an emergency descent, the carbon dioxide, being heavier than air, accumulated in the cockpit and asphyxiated the crew. The aircraft crashed through high voltage lines and exploded on a hillside. After the crashes of 10/24/47 and 11/11/47, were a design flaw allowed vented fuel to enter the intake for the cabin heating system, the CAA also ordered carbon dioxide extinguishers installed. Earl Carroll, U.S. theatrical impresario killed. Douglas aircraft company knew of the carbon dioxide danger after two of its test pilots were almost overcome during test flights. They suppressed reports to the CAA which resulted in only a warning being added to the flight manual. The aircraft was named Mainliner Utah.
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