Eastern Air Lines Flight 66

Eastern Air Lines Flight 66
View of the accident site
Accident
DateJune 24, 1975 (1975-06-24)
SummaryCrash on approach as a result of microburst-induced wind shear
SiteJohn F. Kennedy International Airport, Jamaica, Queens, New York, United States
40°38′58.8″N 73°45′7.5″W / 40.649667°N 73.752083°W / 40.649667; -73.752083
Aircraft

N8846E, sister aircraft to the one involved in the accident
Aircraft typeBoeing 727-225
OperatorEastern Air Lines
IATA flight No.EA66
ICAO flight No.EAL66
Call signEASTERN 66
RegistrationN8845E
Flight originNew Orleans International Airport, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
DestinationJohn F. Kennedy International Airport, Jamaica, Queens, New York, United States
Occupants124
Passengers116
Crew8
Fatalities113
Injuries11
Survivors11

Eastern Air Lines Flight 66 was a regularly scheduled flight from New Orleans to New York City that crashed on June 24, 1975, while on approach to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, killing 113 of the 124 people on board.:1 The accident was determined to be caused by wind shear caused by a microburst, but the failure of the airport and the flight crew to recognize the severe weather hazard was also a contributing factor.:1