On September 16 , 1953 , American Airlines Flight 723 flew between the northeast and center towers of the station 's 3 tower array . The plane was cleared for a contact approach to Albany Airport 's Runway 10 . On final approach , while still miles west of the airport , the Convair descended too low , and , at an altitude of 308 feet ( 94 m ) , struck two of the set of three 365-foot ( 111 m ) - tall radio masts arrayed northeast to southwest . The right wing struck the center tower of the three , then the left wing struck the northeast tower . Seven feet of the outer panel of the right wing including the right aileron and control mechanism from the center hinge outboard together with 15 feet of the left outer wing panel and aileron separated from the aircraft
American Airlines Flight 723
American Airlines Flight 723
WDCD (AM)