Capital Airlines Flight 20: A Tragic Aviation Accident in Virginia

On January 18, 1960, Capital Airlines Flight 20, a scheduled U.S. passenger service from Washington, D.C., to Norfolk, Virginia, met a tragic end. Its Vickers Viscount, a British-manufactured turboprop airliner, crashed into a rural farm in Charles City County, Virginia. This devastating incident marked the fourth fatal crash involving a Capital Airlines Viscount in less than two years, prompting significant concerns about the fleet's operational safety and maintenance protocols during that period.

A Troubling Precedent: Prior Vickers Viscount Incidents

The crash of Flight 20 was not an isolated event for Capital Airlines' Vickers Viscount fleet. It followed a series of equally devastating accidents within a remarkably short timeframe, highlighting a concerning pattern that underscored a critical need for thorough investigations into the operational procedures and environmental factors affecting the Viscount aircraft:

• Capital Airlines Flight 67 in April 1958
• Capital Airlines Flight 300 in May 1958
• Capital Airlines Flight 75 in May 1959

The Fatal Sequence: Icing, Engine Failure, and a Desperate Descent

Capital Airlines Flight 20, carrying 44 passengers and a crew of four, was operating a segment of a longer journey originating from Chicago, with a planned stop in Washington D.C. before continuing to Norfolk. The aircraft departed Washington at 9:40 p.m. EST. Approximately 70 minutes later, at 11:00 p.m., while cruising at an altitude of 8,000 feet, the Vickers Viscount encountered severe atmospheric icing conditions.

The rapid accumulation of ice quickly led to the failure of two of the aircraft's four Rolls-Royce Dart turboprop engines. As the Viscount began its uncontrolled descent, the remaining two engines also ceased to function, causing their propellers to automatically feather, minimizing drag but eliminating thrust. The flight crew valiantly attempted to restart the engines and unfeather the propellers through standard procedures, but these efforts proved unsuccessful.

In a desperate bid to restore power and control, the crew initiated a steep dive, hoping the increased airspeed would force the propellers from their feathered position. This daring maneuver eventually allowed them to successfully restart engine number four. With only one operational engine, the crew applied full power, which regrettably caused the aircraft to enter a circling descent rather than achieving controlled flight. The flight ultimately culminated in a violent impact with trees, tragically bringing the plane down with almost no forward velocity at the moment of collision. Remarkably, despite five trees penetrating the fuselage, their trunks remained intact, speaking to the unique nature of the impact.

Post-Crash Scene: Fire and Formidable Obstacles for Rescuers

The impact site, located on swampland near Sandy Gut, a tributary of the Chickahominy River about 30 miles southeast of Richmond, was immediately engulfed in flames. Police reports from the time indicated that the aircraft burned for many hours after the crash. The intense blaze, combined with treacherous underfooting and dense fog that had blanketed much of eastern Virginia, rendered the use of firefighting equipment exceedingly difficult and prevented immediate access for body recovery efforts. Many regional airports had been closed due to the heavy fog, though Norfolk International Airport, the flight's destination, remained open.

The Dedicated Crew of Capital Airlines Flight 20

Capital Airlines officials in Washington confirmed the identities of the four dedicated crew members aboard the ill-fated turboprop aircraft:

• Captain James B. Fornasero (Pilot)
• First Officer Philip Henry Cullom
• Hostess Diane Margaret O'Donnell
• Hostess Brigitte Friede Helene Jordt

Investigation Findings and Crucial Policy Adjustments

The official investigation into the crash of Capital Airlines Flight 20 attributed the accident primarily to the pilots' decision to delay arming the engine ice protection systems. This delay, which was unfortunately consistent with the airline's policy at the time, resulted in a critical loss of engine power due to severe icing conditions at 8,000 feet. The findings highlighted a significant flaw in the existing operational protocols concerning flight in known or anticipated icing environments.

In response to this devastating incident and the critical lessons learned, Capital Airlines swiftly revised its emergency checklist. A key change involved the deletion of the instruction that previously required pilots to descend to a warmer climate to restart engines after an icing event. The updated policy emphasized that, provided correct procedures were followed, engines could be safely restarted at any altitude. This crucial amendment aimed to prevent similar tragedies by ensuring pilots had clearer, safer, and more effective guidelines for managing in-flight icing and engine malfunctions.

Frequently Asked Questions about Capital Airlines Flight 20

When and where did Capital Airlines Flight 20 crash?

Capital Airlines Flight 20 crashed on January 18, 1960, into a farm in Charles City County, Virginia, specifically in swampland near Sandy Gut, a tributary of the Chickahominy River, approximately 30 miles southeast of Richmond.

What type of aircraft was involved in the accident?

The aircraft involved was a Vickers Viscount, a British-manufactured four-engine turboprop airliner.

What was the primary cause of the Capital Airlines Flight 20 crash?

The crash was primarily attributed to the flight crew delaying the activation of engine ice protection systems, a practice then aligned with airline policy, which led to a critical loss of engine power due to severe icing conditions at 8,000 feet.

How did Capital Airlines respond to the investigation's findings?

Following the crash, Capital Airlines modified its emergency checklist, specifically removing the instruction for pilots to descend to warmer climates to restart engines. The revised policy clarified that engines could be restarted at any height if proper procedures were followed, aiming to improve safety protocols for managing in-flight icing incidents.

Was this the only fatal Vickers Viscount crash for Capital Airlines?

No, Capital Airlines Flight 20 was the fourth fatal crash involving a Capital Airlines Vickers Viscount in less than two years. The previous incidents included Flight 67 (April 1958), Flight 300 (May 1958), and Flight 75 (May 1959).