The aircraft, N401AM, was an ATR 72-212 operated by Simmons Airlines on behalf of American Eagle, the banner carrier regional airline branding program of AMR Corporation's regional system, prior to the formation of the fully certificated carrier named American Eagle Airlines. The flight was en route from Indianapolis International Airport, Indiana to O'Hare International Airport, Chicago, Illinois. Bad weather in Chicago caused delays, prompting air traffic control to hold Flight 4184 over the nearby LUCIT intersection at 10,000 ft (3,000 m).
While holding, the plane encountered freezing rain — a dangerous icing condition where supercooled droplets rapidly cause intense ice buildup. Soon after, they were cleared to descend to 8,000 ft (2,400 m). After this descent the pilots were ordered to make another hold. While in the holding pattern, a warning sound indicating an overspeed warning due to the extended flaps was heard in the cockpit. After the pilot took action by retracting the flaps, a strange noise was heard on the cockpit voice recorder, followed by an uncommanded roll excursion which disengaged the autopilot. Flight recorder data showed that the ATR subsequently went through at least one full roll with the crew able to regain control of the rapidly descending aircraft. However, another roll occurred shortly thereafter. Fewer than thirty seconds later, contact was lost as the plane crashed into a soybean field near Roselawn, Indiana (coordinates: 41.0944; -87.3222), killing all 64 passengers and 4 crew on board. The disintegration of the plane indicated an extreme velocity, and data recovered from the flight data recorder verified that the plane was traveling 375 knots (695 km/h) indicated airspeed at impact.
Flight 4184 was the first loss of an ATR 72 aircraft and was also the highest death toll of any aviation accident involving an ATR 72 anywhere in the world.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued its usual statement of "Probable Cause" of the accident:
The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable causes of this accident were the loss of control, attributed to a sudden and unexpected aileron hinge moment reversal that occurred after a ridge of ice accreted beyond the deice boots because: 1) ATR failed to completely disclose to operators, and incorporate in the ATR 72 airplane flight manual, flightcrew operating manual and flightcrew training programs, adequate information concerning previously known effects of freezing precipitation on the stability and control characteristics, autopilot and related operational procedures when the ATR 72 was operated in such conditions; 2) the French Directorate General for Civil Aviation’s (DGAC’s) inadequate oversight of the ATR 42 and 72, and its failure to take the necessary corrective action to ensure continued airworthiness in icing conditions; and 3) the DGAC’s failure to provide the FAA with timely airworthiness information developed from previous ATR incidents and accidents in icing conditions, as specified under the Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement and Annex 8 of the International Civil Aviation Organization. Contributing to the accident were: 1) the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA’s) failure to ensure that aircraft icing certification requirements, operational requirements for flight into icing conditions, and FAA published aircraft icing information adequately accounted for the hazards that can result from flight in freezing rain and other icing conditions not specified in 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 25, Appendix C; and 2) the FAA’s inadequate oversight of the ATR 42 and 72 to ensure continued airworthiness in icing conditions
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Eagle_Flight_4184
While holding, the plane encountered freezing rain — a dangerous icing condition where supercooled droplets rapidly cause intense ice buildup. Soon after, they were cleared to descend to 8,000 ft (2,400 m). After this descent the pilots were ordered to make another hold. While in the holding pattern, a warning sound indicating an overspeed warning due to the extended flaps was heard in the cockpit. After the pilot took action by retracting the flaps, a strange noise was heard on the cockpit voice recorder, followed by an uncommanded roll excursion which disengaged the autopilot. Flight recorder data showed that the ATR subsequently went through at least one full roll with the crew able to regain control of the rapidly descending aircraft. However, another roll occurred shortly thereafter. Fewer than thirty seconds later, contact was lost as the plane crashed into a soybean field near Roselawn, Indiana (coordinates: 41.0944; -87.3222), killing all 64 passengers and 4 crew on board. The disintegration of the plane indicated an extreme velocity, and data recovered from the flight data recorder verified that the plane was traveling 375 knots (695 km/h) indicated airspeed at impact.
Flight 4184 was the first loss of an ATR 72 aircraft and was also the highest death toll of any aviation accident involving an ATR 72 anywhere in the world.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued its usual statement of "Probable Cause" of the accident:
The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable causes of this accident were the loss of control, attributed to a sudden and unexpected aileron hinge moment reversal that occurred after a ridge of ice accreted beyond the deice boots because: 1) ATR failed to completely disclose to operators, and incorporate in the ATR 72 airplane flight manual, flightcrew operating manual and flightcrew training programs, adequate information concerning previously known effects of freezing precipitation on the stability and control characteristics, autopilot and related operational procedures when the ATR 72 was operated in such conditions; 2) the French Directorate General for Civil Aviation’s (DGAC’s) inadequate oversight of the ATR 42 and 72, and its failure to take the necessary corrective action to ensure continued airworthiness in icing conditions; and 3) the DGAC’s failure to provide the FAA with timely airworthiness information developed from previous ATR incidents and accidents in icing conditions, as specified under the Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement and Annex 8 of the International Civil Aviation Organization. Contributing to the accident were: 1) the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA’s) failure to ensure that aircraft icing certification requirements, operational requirements for flight into icing conditions, and FAA published aircraft icing information adequately accounted for the hazards that can result from flight in freezing rain and other icing conditions not specified in 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 25, Appendix C; and 2) the FAA’s inadequate oversight of the ATR 42 and 72 to ensure continued airworthiness in icing conditions
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Eagle_Flight_4184
The Roadside Monument | Roselawn, IN | USA
Realizing that the loved ones of those aboard had begun a long journey of grief and remembrance, the surrounding community – led by Helen Mudd, Julie Gunter and Chuck Mudd, a local family – graciously arranged a memorial service at the accident site one year following the disaster. They lovingly maintained this site for our families for a few years.
Over the years, the efforts of maintaining this site shifted to Tom Pope, Mike Guerrero and his two sons, Spencer and Nate. Today, thanks to their efforts and those of Dave Allison, Larry Albanese, Larry's son Nate, Jeff Johnson, and the Newton County Commissioners, we have a permanent monument at the roadside – a place that has allowed countless visitors to grieve and reflect in a tranquil setting that is a fitting tribute to the memory of those lost. This group of extraordinary people has given much of themselves through the years in memory of people they never knew and we are forever grateful.
A map to the roadside monument can be found here.
Over the years, the efforts of maintaining this site shifted to Tom Pope, Mike Guerrero and his two sons, Spencer and Nate. Today, thanks to their efforts and those of Dave Allison, Larry Albanese, Larry's son Nate, Jeff Johnson, and the Newton County Commissioners, we have a permanent monument at the roadside – a place that has allowed countless visitors to grieve and reflect in a tranquil setting that is a fitting tribute to the memory of those lost. This group of extraordinary people has given much of themselves through the years in memory of people they never knew and we are forever grateful.
A map to the roadside monument can be found here.
Calumet Park Cemetery | Merrillville, IN | USA
Calumet Park Cemetery became the final resting place for seventeen caskets of unidentified remains. The burial took place November of 1994 with the dedication of the monument and site occurring in August of 1995. Today, this site remains beautifully maintained and welcoming to all visitors.
Lincoln Township Volunteer Fire Department | Thayer, IN | USA
The Lincoln Township Fire Department Volunteers were the first responders on scene to Flight 4184. In 1995, they graciously erected this monument located in front of their fire house, in honor of our loved ones. We appreciate their efforts during the response in 1994 and for their continued dedication in honoring our families.
A map to this memorial and fire department can be found here.
A map to this memorial and fire department can be found here.
