Aircraft accident

“ According to statements of witnesses, the pilot had made about two-thirds of a turn necessary to get the plane in a direction for landing on the airport when he throttled his engine to complete his landing approach in a glide. At this time the nose of the plane was seen to drop and the plane continued into the ground from an altitude of about 250 feet in what appeared to be a spiral. The plane was equipped with dual controls which had not been removed. It is possible that the passenger interfered with the controls during the glide for a landing but it is not thought probable. ”

“ 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. ”

“ A review of the available evidence has eliminated all causal areas other than those involving the operation of the aircraft. No evidence was found that would indicate other than normal operation of the powerplants and systems at the time of impact. There is no evidence that will support a finding of sabotage, flight crew incapacitation, or any malfunction of the aircraft. ”

“ Mrs. Margaret Caldwell, who witnessed the accident from approximately the same point, and Raymond W. Martin, who as previously stated, had served as an airplane spotter, saw the collision from a closer point of observation. Both testified that just before the impact the Bomber was maneuvering above and behind the Airliner and the latter, after the impact, fell off to the left, then turned or spun slowly several times until it disappeared beyond obstructions to their view. ”

“ In at least one of these cases the speed of the airplane at which failure occurred was in excess of normal. In each instance the pilot was able to control the airplane sufficiently to effect a safe landing. From these experiences and from analysis it appears that such failure of the structure in this type aircraft may result either from air loads occasioned in encouraging gusts of extraordinary intensity, or from violent use of the controls. In one of these three instances, the stabilizer also sustained slight damage, insufficient however to render the surfaces inoperative. ”

“ The A-26 had for a distance of several miles been in an attitude so that its pilot could not see other aircraft to his right, i.e., "give way" side. On the basis of the evidence available at this time the Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the failure of each pilot to see the other aircraft in time to avoid collision. Contributing factors were the DC3 pilot's deviation from the airway in the proximity of an active USAAF base and his lack of vigilance, and the Army pilot's continuing a maneuver which restricted his vision in an area not set aside for such maneuvers. ”

“ Forces created by the speed of the plane on its contact with the water in the excessive nose-down attitude caused failure of the hull bottom and its structure, resulting in rapid submersion of the aircraft. ”

“ Serious consequences may result if the airplane happens to be turning or if it has any leeway or side motion relative to the water.
We are forced to the conclusion, therefore, first, that the subject aircraft was landed in an unduly nose—low attitude, and second, that at the time of first contact while in that attitude, it was moving sideways relative to the water. It appears from the record that there were no extraneous turning forces which might have been caused by non—uniform application of power or by faulty rudder tab setting. ”

“ The pilot and two passengers were killed, and the airplane was destroyed. According to MSAW data retrieved from the Washington National TRACON, the accident airplane generated four general terrain warning MSAW alerts during the approach to the airport. A controller-in-training and a fully certified instructor were providing ATC services to the accident airplane from the TRACON's F-2 radar position. ”

“ Aircraft, while on final approach to land, or while landing, have the right-of—way over other aircraft in flight or operating on the surface. When two or more aircraft are approaching an airport for the purpose of landing, the aircraft at the lower altitude has the right—of-way, but it shall not take advantage of this rule to out in in front of another which is on final approach to land, or to overtake that aircraft. ”

“ For the Bomber to have been in such close proximity to the Airliner that a deviation of the tail of the Airliner of 10 or 15 feet from its path would have caused a collision, would in itself have been inexcusable.
The testimony of Private West cannot be considered reliable. He was observing airplane that were flying at an altitude of 6,000 feet above an area on the ground approximately three miles distant from the tennis court on which he was standing. ”

“ The carrier shall be liable for damage sustained in the event of the death or wounding of a passenger or any other bodily injury suffered by a passenger, if the accident which caused the damage so sustained took place on board the aircraft or in the course of any of the operations of embarking or disembarking. ”

“ MR. HAMMACK: After you were notified of the accident, what did you do?
THE WITNESS: After I got the message I notified my shift leader from the tactical operation command to dispatch police officers to the scene where it's possible that the -- the aircraft went down and then to give me a feedback as to actually whether it's a down aircraft or what. About 20 minutes later I got a phone call again from my command that it is confirmed that it's aircraft crashed, and my two police officers that were assigned to the southern district was the ones that confirmed the -- the aircraft crash. ”

“ After an examination of the wreckage at the scene of the accident the right engine and the right engine mount were removed from the aircraft under the supervision of investigators of the Board and were transported by them to the National Bureau of Standards, Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C., for a tear-down inspection. The airplane, the right engine, and the right engine mount were released to PCA upon conclusion of the investigation. ”

“ It is considered possible under a similar occurrence that Captain Paddack attempted to maneuver out of such a situation and placed the aircraft in a turning configuration in which the aircraft could more easily be placed in an unusual attitude and in which control techniques would be more critical. Under any penetration are important factors. In its considerations the Board was also unable to rule out with complete definitiveness the possibility of a cockpit distraction or instrument failure at a critical moment. ”

“ The pilot, in an effort to effect a short landing and thereby minimize the chances of collision with the Army aircraft, brought his plane in under power at a relatively low speed. As the aircraft neared the east end of the usable portion of the runway, a sudden shock was felt. This was followed immediately by the sound of the landing gear warning horn. Power was applied and the ship was placed in a climbing attitude. On checking, the crew found that the right landing gear was not fully extended and that the landing gear latch was not functioning. ”

“ This had been built especially for the movements of troops.
So far they had made no use of the aeroplane which had been seen by Carruthers, and we did not wish them to know of ours, until necessary. Then an accident took place which might have upset our plans considerably: my two trained aeronauts were standing together talking, when a shell burst near them; killing one, wounding the other, and completely smashing one of the aircraft. ”

“ A Douglas DC-3 aircraft, NC 17332, owned and operated by American Airlines, Inc., received minor damage in an accident which occurred at about 9:17 p.m. on February 5, 1942, at the Municipal Airport, Little Rock, Arkansas. No injuries were sustained by any of the seven passengers or the crew of three. ”

“ It involved a collision between an aircraft of U. S. registry NC 16017 and a U.S. Army Bomber B-34, at an altitude of about 9000 feet, on Civil Green Airway Number 5. At the time of the accident Douglas Aircraft NC 16017 was operating in scheduled air carrier service from Burbank, California, to Phoenix, Arizona, as part of Trip 28 of American Airlines, Inc. [2] The B-34 was being operated by the Ferrying Command of the U.S. Army Air Forces [3] on a ferrying flight from Long Beach, California, to Palm Springs, California. ”

“ As far as could be determined from an examination of the damaged airframe components, there was no evidence to indicate that the aircraft was not airworthy prior to the crash.
Impact forces were of such magnitude that the four engines were widely separated in the wreckage area. Molten masses of aluminum were evidence of the intense fire after impact. All propeller blades were found and from propeller domes, hubs, and blade positions examined, it was determined that they were set at blade angles between 29 degrees and 37 degrees at impact. ”

“ The carrier, aircraft and pilots were properly certificated. Captain Cramer, having very limited flight time in the aircraft, was at the controls with Captain Goyette acting in a supervisory capacity. Conditions of weather and water surface within the vicinity of Port of Spain were satisfactory for a safe approach and landing. The plane first contacted the water at more than normal landing speed and in a nose-low attitude. The crash occurred at a point 11⁄4 miles short of the intended landing area. ”

“ The Civil Aeronautics Board was notified of this accident January 7, 1960, by the Federal Aviation Agency and an investigation was immediately initiated in accordance with the authority of Title VII of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958. ”

“ Smaller parts of the plane were scattered some distance from the main wreckage and the body of the pilot, who had been thrown out of the ship, was lying 125 feet away. It could not be determined whether there had been an explosion. The pilot's hair had been singed, his right knee burned and his right glove, which had been thrown clear of the body, was charred.
A farmer living 3/4 mile from where the accident occurred stated that there were low clouds near the scene and at the time of the accident visibility was from 300 yards to two miles. The air was misty and light snow was falling. ”

“ Though the casualties in the air force were small as compared with the total strength, the casualty rate of the flying personnel at the front was somewhat above the artillery and infantry rates. The reported battle fatalities up to October 24 were 128 and accident fatalities overseas 244. The results of Allied and American experience at the front indicate that two aviators lose their lives in accidents for each aviator killed in battle. The fatalities at training fields in the United States to October 24th were 262. ”

“ PAGE AIRWAYS, INC. — WASHINGTON — APRIL 27, 1945 [1]
Summary
Power interruption during a take-off climb induced a forced landing resulting in death to six passengers and injury to five others and to the crew of two at the National Airport, Washington, D. C., at approximately 1240 EWT on April 27, 1945. The aircraft was completely destroyed by impact and resultant fire. ”

“ The Board knows of no evidence in this accident from which it can determine the sequence of events and factors immediately attending the situation in which loss of control of the aircraft occurred at 14,000 feet. Such factors may be numerous and varied. The Board recognizes the possibility that Captain Paddack may have been attempting to cross the line of thunderstorms to reestablish the flight on V-3 airway. In doing so he may have selected an opening in the thunderstorms which closed causing loss of visual reference and then entered a thunderstorm which was obscured. ”

“ In seeking to determine the course of events that led to this accident, in the absence of any direct testimony from any actual observer on board the aircraft and in view of the circumstantial evidence of record, we are obliged to look for the extraordinary, and to examine into the possibility and probability of occurrences that are so rare in practical operating experience as to be highly obscure, if not virtually unknown. ”

“ From the appearance of the rocks and the broken portions of the aircraft's right wing tip, it appears that the right wing contacted the mountain first, followed by the violent contact of the propellers and engines, with the complete mass of the aircraft cartwheeling up the mountain and coming to rest in an inverted position at a point approximately 450 feet beyond the point of first impact.
The engine gear assemblies were torn from each engine due to impact with the mountain. ”

“ 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. ”

“ We are very sure to be informed of the fact when an aviator is killed. Comparatively little stir is made nowadays over an automobile fatality, and the ordinary railroad accident receives bare mention. For instruction and warning, accidents to air craft cannot be given too much publicity; but if we wish any accurate conception of the danger we must pay regard to factors of proportion. There are perhaps a thousand aeroplanes and about sixty dirigible balloons in the world. About 500 men—amateurs and professionals—are continuously engaged in aviation. ”

“ It can move through the air at forty miles an hour, but high speed will cause it to buckle in the nose.
Bump—A rising or falling column of air which may be met while flying. A machine will be bumped up or bumped down on a bumpy day. A hot day over flat country, at noon, will generally be exceedingly bumpy.
Crash—Any airplane accident. It may be a complete wreck or the plane may only be slightly injured by a careless landing. Crashes are often classified by the extent of damage. A class A crash, for instance, is a complete washout. A class D crash is an undercarriage and propeller broken. ”