Braniff International Airways Flight 352

Braniff International Airways Flight 352
N9707C, the Lockheed L-188 Electra involved in the accident
Accident
DateMay 3, 1968
SummaryFlight into thunderstorm leading to in-flight breakup
SiteNavarro County, near Dawson, Texas
31°53′55″N 96°41′50″W / 31.89861°N 96.69722°W / 31.89861; -96.69722
Aircraft
Aircraft typeLockheed L-188A Electra
OperatorBraniff International Airways
RegistrationN9707C
Flight originWilliam P. Hobby Airport, Houston, Texas
DestinationDallas Love Field, Dallas, Texas
Occupants85
Passengers80
Crew5
Fatalities85
Survivors0

Braniff International Airways Flight 352 was a scheduled domestic flight from William P. Hobby Airport in Houston, Texas, United States, to Dallas Love Field in Dallas; on May 3, 1968, a Lockheed L-188A Electra flying on the route, registration N9707C, broke up in midair and crashed near Dawson, Texas, after flying into a severe thunderstorm. It was carrying five crew and 80 passengers; there were no survivors. Among those killed was Texas state representative Joseph Lockridge, the first black man to represent Dallas County in the Texas Legislature. Investigation revealed that the accident was caused by the captain's decision to penetrate an area of heavy weather followed by a structural over-stress and failure of the airframe while attempting recovery from loss of control during a steep 180-degree turn executed in an attempt to escape the weather.[1]

  1. ^ Accident description at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 2006-10-14.