Portal:Civil Aeronautics Board

“ The gauge for that tank then indicated between 40 and 50 gallons. The flight proceeded normally, at cruising altitude, until it reached a point about six miles west of Midway Beacon, approximately 7 minutes out of Fort Worth, when the crew first experienced trouble in synchronizing the propellers. The right engine lost power gradually, with no roughness, backfiring, or missing. The right fuel pressure began to drop and the red warning light came on. The fuel pressure continued dropping until it reached zero. ”

“ Failure of the captain to realize exhaustion of the gasoline supply as a probable cause of engine trouble, when that trouble was first experienced, and to turn the fuel selector valves to another tank in time to prevent complete failure of both engines. Low cruising altitude. Complete dependence of the operating personnel upon a fuel gauge for information as to the contents of the tanks, through failure to include in the flight-clearance routine any statement to the captain of the actual measured contents of each tank. ”

“ The aircraft bounced once, settled on the wheels, which were still retracted, and rolled about 1000 feet across the grain field into on orchard where the wings and undercarriage were damaged by trees. ”