Aviation Accident Report: United Airlines Flight 21/Conduct of Investigation
CONDUCT OF INVESTIGATION
Aircraft NC 35678, while operating between New York and Chicago as Trip 12 of United Airlines Transport Corporation, crashed within two blocks of the Chicago Municipal Airport about 5:48 p.m. (CST[1]) on the afternoon of December 4, 1940. As a result of the accident the aircraft was almost completely destroyed and the operating crew of three and seven of the thirteen passengers were fatally injured. The Civil Aeronautics Board (hereinafter referred to as the "Board") was notified of the accident at 6:10 p.m. of the same day.
Inspection and Preservation of Wreckage
Pursuant to section 702 (a)(2) of the Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938, as amended, the Board initiated an investigation at once. The Chief of the Investigation Division of the Safety Bureau of the Board immediately left for Chicago. Pending his arrival, the Chicago representatives of the Board took custody of the wreckage and arranged for a continuous guard. After a preliminary examination of the wreckage at the scene of the crash, the Safety Bureau authorized the removal of the aircraft to the United Air Lines hangar at the Chicago Municipal Airport for disassembly and inspection. Until the close of the public hearing, when the aircraft was released by the Board to United Air Lines, the wreckage was under continuous guard by the Chicago Police Department and all inspections, including the dismantling and tear-down of the engines and accessories, were completed under careful observation of staff experts of the Board.
Public Hearing
A public hearing was held in the City of Chicago beginning on December 11, 1940, and continuing through December 14, 1940, at which 48 witnesses were heard and 99 exhibits introduced. The Board designated G. Grant Mason, Jr., one of the five members of the Board, as Presiding Examiner, and S. G. Tipton, Assistant General Counsel of the Board, as Associate Examiner. Also participating in the hearing were Jerome Lederer, Director of the Safety Bureau; Robert D. Hoyt, Assistant Director; Frank E. Caldwell, Chief of the Investigation Division; Paul Gareau, Aerologist of the Safety Bureau; and Phil C. Salzman, Investigator in charge of the branch office of the Board in Chicago, Illinois.
In accordance with the policy of the Board, the Examiner at the opening of the hearing stated that any person who had any evidence, questions, or suggestions to present for consideration in the proceeding might submit them in writing to the Examiners. Pursuant to this announcement, 81 written questions were submitted to the Examiners by the audience and were asked of the witnesses during the hearing. Although the public hearing was indefinitely recessed on December 14 by the Presiding Examiner, the investigation of this accident continues and will not be closed until all possibility of further evidence has been foreclosed.
On the basis of all the evidence available at this time, the Board now makes its report in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938, as amended.
- ↑ All times hereinafter mentioned will be Central Standard Time unless the contrary is indicated.