[1] On the morning of 26 February 1960, Flight 618 arrived at its first stopover at Shannon Airport for refueling to continue its journey across the Atlantic, while under the supervision of a check pilot.

The flight had been permitted to take off from runway 05 with a clear but still dark and partially overcast sky just 45 minutes after its initial arrival.

Takeoff proceeded without issue and the crew retracted the gear before making a left turn when the aircraft had climbed to a height of 165 ft (50 m) with the landing lights still on.

[2] The post-crash fire quickly engulfed the aircraft and badly burned most of the survivors, as locals and rescue workers arrived at the scene.

The fire gutted the wreckage, leaving the tail section as the only recognizable part left of the aircraft.