The disaster was Guam's deadliest aviation accident until Korean Air Flight 801 crashed on Nimitz Hill in 1997.

It was originally in service with American Airlines as a freighter until World Airways purchased it sometime after October 1959.

The pilot made a right turn during the climbing procedure and collided with Mount Barrigada 50 seconds after takeoff.

Most of the casualties were caused by a fire that broke out shortly before the aircraft came to a stop.

[2] The Civil Aeronautics Board determined that the crash was caused by the pilot's failure to adhere to standard departure procedures by making a right turn before the aircraft had climbed to 1,000 ft (305 m).