NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF THE FLIGHT AND ACCIDENT
American Airlines' Flight 6001 took off from New York at 0723 * EWT, January 9, 1945, on a transcontinental flight to Burbank. The last crew change was made at El Paso at about 0146 CWT. From this point the flight was cleared to Newhall, California, because of unfavorable weather conditions at Burbank. The flight proceeded normally and at 0314 the company transmitted the 0300 special weather report for Burbank. This report showed a measured ceiling of 700 feet, overcast, visibility two miles, and light fog. About six minutes later the company advised the flight that it had been recleared by the Los Angeles air Traffic Control Center to the Burbank Range Station to cross Burbank at 3500 feet with no delay expected.
At 0335 the company confirmed its previous clearances and advised the flight that if unable to establish contact to request further instructions. At 0342 the pilot was given the 0330 weather report for Burbank which was the same as the 0300 report, except that the ceiling was shorn as variable, 600 to 700 feet. At this time the company canceled the Long Beach landing as the airplane was needed at the Burbank Terminal. Following this weather report the Los Angeles Air Traffic Control approval for a standard instrument approach to Burbank was relayed to the caption and acknowledgement received. At 0355 the flight reported to the company that it was over Burbank on its initial approach at 3500 feet and was beginning a standard instrument approach. At this time the pilot was given the Burbank altimeter setting of 30.14 and advised to change to control tower frequency. This was the last communication with the flight until after the pilot had established visual contact with the ground.
At approximately 0406 the aircraft was seen to fly across the airport at the ragged base of the clouds, start what appeared to be a left turn end then disappear from view. The landing gear was retracted, position lights were on and the landing lights were off. According to the control tower operator he heard the plane go over and waited longer than usual to receive the captain's call. About 0407 the captain made his only radio contact after slang over the range station on his initial approach and stated that he was unable to maintain contact and was proceeding to Palmdale. The tower acknowledged this message and requested the flight to stand by for the Air Traffic Control Center's clearance. Later attempts by the tower, American and other radio stations to contact the flight were unsuccessful and nothing further was heard from the plane.
At approximately 0939 the control tower sighted the wreckage on a hillside about 2-3/4 miles northeast end about 1034 feet above the level of the airport. The position of the wreckage indicated that the airplane was headed at about 110 degree magnetic in a right climbing turn at the time it crashed. The accident resulted in fatal injuries to the 21 passengers and three crew members and almost total destruction of the aircraft by impact and fire.
The following are descriptions of the radio facilities, instrument approach procedure and the "missed approach" procedure for the Burbank airport. Familiarity with these facilities and procedures is essential to the understanding of the reconstructed flight path believed to have been taken by the pilot after the plane was seen to fly over the Burbank Airport.
- 24 hour clock used throughout this report.
