The L-188 Electra is an airliner built and manufactured by Lockheed. The L-188 s was designed by Lockheed in 1954 and its maiden flight was on December 6 1957. It is a low-wing monoplane with retractable tricycle landing gear powered by four Allison 501D turboprops. Many airlines in the US flew the L-188. The primary users and operators of the L-188 are American Airlines Eastern Airlines Braniff and Airways KLM. The L-188 flew in commercial service until the mid-1970s. A total of 144 L-188s were built with 57 destroyed in accidents. The L-188 has a crew of six with a seating capacity of 99 to 127 passengers. It has a cruising speed of 362 knots.