TWA Flight 513, registration NC86513, Star of Lisbon, was a Lockheed L-049 Constellation operated by Transcontinental and Western Air on a training flight on July 11, 1946 near Reading, Pennsylvania. Electrical wiring in the baggage compartment arced, starting a fire. The smoke and intense fire created made it impossible for the pilots to maintain control of the aircraft. Of the six crewmembers aboard, five were killed. This accident is memorable for grounding all Lockheed Constellations from July 12 until August 23, 1946 when cargo fire detection equipment could be installed.
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![]() A TWA L-049, similar to Flight 513. | |
Accident | |
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Date | July 11, 1946 |
Summary | In-flight fire |
Site | Bern Township, Berks County, near Reading, Pennsylvania 40°24′58″N 75°59′29″W |
Aircraft | |
Aircraft type | Lockheed L-049 Constellation |
Aircraft name | Star of Lisbon |
Operator | Transcontinental & Western Air |
Registration | NC86513 |
Passengers | 0 |
Crew | 6 |
Fatalities | 5 |
Injuries | 1 |
Survivors | 1[1] |
Aviation accidents and incidents in 1946 (1946) | |
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1945 ◀ ▶ 1947 |
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History |
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