File No 2-0545 CIVIL AERONAUTICS BOARD
AIRCRAFT ACCEDENT REPORT
EDOFFED: October 11, 1960 RELEASED, October 14, 1960
cONTINENTAL CAN comm, 1150., 3—260, N 1502, NEAR MARION, OHIO, JULY 1, 1959
wxmww ’“W
SYNOPSIS
. A Martin B—26C, N 1502, owned and operated by the Continental Can Company, Inc. , crashed near Marion, Ohio, July 1, 1959, about 1752. A11 occupants, company pilots «John R. Dunham and Donald Martin and eight company executives, were killed.
The purpose of this flight was to transport the executives from Midway Airport, tblcago, Illumis, to Baltimore, Maryland. Departure from Midway was at 1645. is When the flight was near Marlon, Ohio. and shortly after it had traversed an area of pronounced thunderstorm actiylty, 1t dived Violently and nearly vertically to the ground. Destruction was of such extent that it could not be determined if a ffiuctural failure occurred in flight and consequently the probable cause of this incident could not be established.
Almost igation
«1
, Pilot Dunham filed an lFR flight plan for the proposed flight as follows. “Hidw Airport to Baltimore v13. Peotone, V 144., V 44, estimated departure tme 16301 requesting 9,000 feet, proposmg 225 knots TAS, with 2:30 hours ETE, and 5:30 hours of fuel on board."
Personnel of the Weather Bureau office at Midway Airport were busy during the afternoon of July 1 and cannot state definitely that they briefed the crew of this particular flight prior to departure However, mowing the normal practices of Continental Can Company crews, they believe that a weather briefing was supplied to this crew. All eastbound briefings that afternoon called attention to the extensiveness and frequency of severe thunderstorm activ1ty expected. Attention ‘was drawn to all pertinent forecasts and flash advisories available. The 3-260 Jaircraft used on this flight was equipped with weather radar, which was operable as far as Can be determined.
N 1502 departed Midway Airport, Chicago, Illinost, at 1644. Tan, takeoff, and climbout, as recalled by tower Operators on duty, were routine in all respects. R 1502 was issued a clearance from Midway to the Baltimore Airport Via Peotone, V141,, V 44,, to mamtain 5,000 feet.
- 3:” 1,7 All times herein are eastern daylight, unless otherwise indicated, and
- based on the 24-hour clock.
USU OHM-DC —2 7112
