Southern Airways Flight 242

Southern Airways Flight 242
The overhead view of the debris field of Southern Airways Flight 242
Accident
DateApril 4, 1977 (1977-04-04)
SummaryDual engine failure in severe weather, pilot error
SiteNew Hope, Paulding County, Georgia, United States
33°57′45″N 84°47′13″W / 33.96250°N 84.78694°W / 33.96250; -84.78694
Total fatalities72[a]
Aircraft

N1335U, the aircraft involved in the accident
Aircraft typeMcDonnell Douglas DC-9-31
OperatorSouthern Airways
IATA flight No.SO242
ICAO flight No.SOU242
Call signSOUTHERN 242
RegistrationN1335U[2]
Flight originNorthwest Alabama Regional Airport, Muscle Shoals[3]
StopoverHuntsville-Madison County Jetport
DestinationHartsfield Atlanta International Airport
Occupants85
Passengers81
Crew4
Fatalities63
Injuries22
Survivors22
Ground casualties
Ground fatalities9

Southern Airways Flight 242 was a flight from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, to Atlanta, Georgia, with a stop in Huntsville, Alabama. On April 4, 1977, it executed a forced landing on Georgia State Route 381 in New Hope, Paulding County, Georgia, United States, after suffering hail damage and losing thrust on both engines in a severe thunderstorm.[1]: 1 [4]

At the time of the accident, the Southern Airways aircraft was flying from Huntsville-Madison County Jetport to Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport.[1]: 2  Sixty-three people on the aircraft (including both pilots) and nine people on the ground died; twenty passengers survived, as well as two flight attendants.

  1. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference AAR-78-03 Final Report was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference ASA Accident Description was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference aopa3 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference nyt770406 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).


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