Flight 6001 and from which point a normal right climbing turn was made the simulated flight been continued to a climax the plane would have struck the hill at the position of the wreckage at an approximately heading of 110 magnetic.
THE BOARD'S INVESTIGATION
The Santa Monica Office of the Civil Aeronautics Board received notification about 0450 PTI that the aircraft had missed its approach to the Burbank Airport on its scheduled arrival at about 0406 and had not been heard from since. Upon being notified at 1000 that the wreckage had been sighted an investigation was immediately initiated in accordance with the provisions of Section 702 (a) (2) of the Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938, as amended. Frank K. McKlveen, Air Safety Investigator of the Santa Monica Office of the Board, arrived at the scene of the accident it about 1130. The wreckage was first placed under the temporary Army guard. This guard was later relieved by a police guard which remained at the scene until an examination of the wreckage had been completed by the Board's investigators.
Hearing
The Board ordered a public hearing in connection with the investigated and John M. Chamberlain Assistant Director, Safety Bureau of the Board, was designated as the presiding officer The hearing was held is Los Angeles, California, on January 17 and 18, 1945, and the following personnel of the Safety Bureau staff participated; Jesse K. Fenno, Chief, Investigation Division; Ralph A. Reed, Senior Air Safety Investigator in charge of the Santa Monica Office; Frank K. McKlveen, Air Safety Investigator; and Kenneth C. Sonner, Air Safety Specialist (Powerplants).
OPERATIONAL DATA
Air Carrier
At the time of the accident American Airlines was operating as an air carrier under a certificate of public convenience and necessity and an air carrier operating certificate, both issued pursuant to the Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938, as amended. These certificates authorized the corporation to engage in air transportation with respect to persons, property and mail between various points in the United States including New York, El Paso, Phoenix and Burbank.
Flight Personnel
The crew of Flight 6001 consisted of Joseph Russell McCauley, captain; Robert Gaylord Eitner, first officer; and Lila Agnes Docken, stewardess.
Captain McCauley, age 38, held an airline transport pilot certificate. Although his copies of the certificate and ratings were destroyed by fire and no duplicates shoving that he had the required horsepower rating could be found in Civil Aeronautics Administration files, various records such as medical certificates and airline and CAA air carrier forms indicator that he
