4. The center of gravity of the aircraft could not be determined at the time of departure from either Miami or Washington due to Page's not using an accepted method of load computation and distribution.
5. The maintenance of the engines was not in accord with accepted standards.
6. The fuel used was of the proper grade.
7. The engine failure was due to a cracked valve spring washer which part had been condemned by the engine manufacturer
8. The usable part of the airport was marked by standard boundary markers, suitably conspicuous but not indicating the presence of the drainage ditch which proved to be a hazard in this instance
PROBABLE CAUSE
On the basis of all the evidence available the Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was engine failure during a critical point in the take-off following which the pilot executed an emergency landing under unfavorable conditions. Contributing factors were the strong gusts and ground turbulence which prevailed at the time. However, the seriousness of the accident was due to the presence of a deep ditch near the runway.
BY THE CIVIL AERONAUTICS BOARD.
/s/ L. Welsh Pogue
/s/ Edward Warner
/s/ Harllee Branch
/s/ Oswald Pyan
/s/ Josh Lee
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