Northeast Airlines Flight 823 was a scheduled flight operating from New York City to Boston, onboard a Douglas DC-6. On the fateful day, the aircraft encountered foul weather conditions, specifically heavy snow and low visibility, as it approached LaGuardia Airport. Afterward, the plane was unable to gain altitude and ultimately crashed on Rikers Island, which is located just off the coast of Queens, New York City. The crash site revealed a severely damaged fuselage, leading to the fatalities of 20 people and injuries to 78 others among the flight's 62 passengers and crew members.

The crash prompted a swift emergency response, with firefighting teams and medical personnel arriving on the scene to rescue survivors and contain the wreckage. Investigations led by the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) followed the incident, focusing on the aircraft's failure to rise above the storm and the pilots' decisions under pressure. The conditions at the time included poor visibility and challenging terrain, raising concerns regarding the safety measures and technology in place for navigating such conditions.

As the investigation unfolded, it became clear that the combination of human factors and inclement weather played a critical role in the disaster. The findings would contribute to subsequent changes in aviation regulations and safety protocols to better equip pilots to handle similar situations in the future, emphasizing the importance of improved weather forecasting and communication.