TWA Flight 903 "The Star of Maryland", a Constellation 749A was flying its route Bombay-Cairo-Rome Ciampino -New York Idlewild on the night of August 31, 1950.
The flight departed Cairo at 11:35 for Rome Ciampino with 55 persons aboard (48 passengers and 7 crew members. As Flight 903 was climbing at 10,000 feet the plane reported that its number 3 engine was on fire and that they needed a priority return to Cairo. As the plane was returning to Cairo, the engine separated from the plane, forcing the crew to attempt a forced landing in the desert about 65 miles NNW of Cairo. The plane struck the desert and burned. All 55 persons aboard perished
After and intensive investigation, the probable cause of the crash was the rear master rod on the number 3 engine failing, causing an overheating of the engine, which in turn caught fire
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Last updated: 10-26-2005 08:29:06
