Portal:Civil Aeronautics Board

“ It is hazardous to fly for an extended period of time in a turn where all vision to the right side of the aircraft is obscured by the structure. Lieutenant Jones testified that he had been in the final turn for a minute of a minute and a half which at 220 m.p.h, would amount to as much as 51⁄2 miles. In view of the fact that a light haze existed, which reduced the visibility at the altitude of collision to about 6 miles, Lieutenant Jones' judgment in so prolonging the turn was faulty. ”

“ Those examinations entirely substantiated the statements of the pilots, passengers and ground witnesses as to the manner of the collision. They proved that the planes collided while at approximately right angles with the A-26 to the left of and slightly lower than the DC3.
The propellers of the A-26, although badly damaged, bore no marks from the collision proper, indicating that the A-26 was a few feet below the DC3. The high fin and rudder of the A-26 made the initial impact and the nature of the subsequent damage again bears out the approximate right angle of collision. ”

“ For an instant both aircraft continued in their original directions. The right propeller of the DC3 severed the A-26 fuselage at a point forward of the empennage. The A-26 rolled to an inverted position and at an altitude of about 900 feet its pilot successfully bailed out after ordering a gunner who was ridingforward to do likewise. ”

“ An air collision between EAL's Flight 45 en route from Boston, Mass., to Miami, Fla., and a USAAF A-26 aircraft engaged in local practice flight resulted fatally to one occupant of the airliner and to two occupants of the Army plane, major damage to the first plane and demolition of the latter. ”

“ When two aircraft are on crossing courses at approximately the same altitude, the aircraft which has the other on its left shall have right-of-way, and the other aircraft shall give way."
::PLAN VIEW COLLISION BETWEEN EAL
NC 36757 AND ARMY A-26
NO. 44-35553 NEAR FLORENCE,
S. C., ON JULY 12, 1945
Flight paths assumed as drawn because: Impact was while directions were at about right angles. A-26 had been in turn more than one minute. DC3 at 170 m. p. h. in straight flight, slight descent. A-26 at 220 m. p. h. at 15° bank; r=12,000′. A-26 at 220 m. p. h. at 20° bank; r=8,900′. ”

“ EAL Flight 45 left Boston, Mass., on schedule at 0855 EWT [2] for Miami, Fla., with stops scheduled at New York, N.Y., Washington, D.C., Columbia, S.C., and Jacksonville, Fla. Arrival at New York was at 1011 where a complete crew change was made. ”