Capital Airlines Flight 20 facts for kids
Capital Airlines Flight 20 was a regular airplane flight in the United States. It flew from Washington, D.C. to Norfolk, Virginia. The plane used for this flight was a Vickers Viscount, a type of aircraft known for its four powerful engines.
What Happened to Flight 20?
On January 18, 1960, Capital Airlines Flight 20 took off. The weather that day was very cold. As the plane flew, ice began to form on its wings and engines. This is called icing. Icing can be very dangerous for airplanes.
The Flight and the Ice
The Vickers Viscount had four engines. These engines help the plane fly. Because of the extreme cold, ice started to build up. This ice caused two of the plane's engines to stop working. Soon after, the other two engines also failed. Without engine power, the plane could not stay in the air.
The Sad Outcome
The plane crashed in Charles City County, Virginia. It was a very sad event. Sadly, no one on board survived the accident. Investigations later showed that severe icing was the main cause. This accident helped experts learn more about how to prevent icing. It also led to new safety rules for airplanes flying in cold weather.
