| Date: 8 December 1963 | Local time: 20:59 | Aircraft: Passenger airplane | Model: Boeing 707-121 | Registration: N709PA | Serial number: MSN 17588, LN 3 | Operator: Pan American World Airways, Flight number: PA214 | FirstFlight: 15 May 1958 |
| Description: The aircraft was on a regular flight from Baltimore/Washington International Airport, MD, USA to Philadelphia International Airport, PA, USA. The take off was normal and complete at 20:24 local time in Baltimore and about half an hour later, the plane approached destination airport. It was instructed by the ATC to carry holding pattern due to strong winds and 5 other aircraft in a queue. At 20:58 the airplane was stuck by a lightning, which ignited the flammable vapors in the left fuel tank and causing an explosion. The Boeing 707-121B with registration N709PA crashed to the ground in flames. The cause for the disaster was the fuel-ignition caused by a lightning leading to explosive disintegration in the air and ultimately loss of control. | |||||||
| Fate: Written off | Location: Elkton, MD, USA | Crew+Passengers: 8+73 | Fatalities: 8+73 | Injuries: 0+0 | Survivors: 0+0 | ||
| The crash and fatalities are confirmed by the authorities and the final investigation is complete. The final report is available in the following document. | |||||||