at this point, and beyond which is Bowery Bay. The pilot, knowing that he had only about 600 feet of the field remaining in this direction, decided to take off. Wheel marks on the field indicated that the airplane was partially airborne from this point to the bulkhead. Difficulty was experienced in controlling the aircraft because of the damaged wing and the captain closed the throttles just as the plane reached the bulkhead. The ship continued over the bulkhead and crashed in the water approximately 200 yards beyond. The aircraft came to rest with the nose submerged and the cabin clear of the water. The crew and passengers were removed in a few minutes by Pan American Airways' personnel and taken ashore in a company boat. Shortly after the occupants were removed, the aircraft sank leaving only the tail and right wing tip protruding from the water.
Inspection of the wreckage revealed that the fuselage, from the pilot's compartment forward, was badly damaged by the impact with the water. The right wing tip and aileron were bent upward approximately 10 to 15 degrees at the point of the wing tip attachment.Examination of the control section disclosed that all controls were connected and still operative. The flaps were found in the "up" position. Two employees of Pan American Airways testified that they found thin slushy ice on the wings and empennage at the time they removed the passengers and crew from the aircraft.
Conduct of the Flight
There appears to be no question that the flight was properly dispatched from Chicago and from Cleveland. The evidence indicates that it was properly conducted from the moment of departure to the time of arrival over La Guardia Field.
The United States Weather Bureau and United's forecasts proved to be accurate within reasonable limits.
