I
CONDUCT OF INVESTIGATION
An accident involving aircraft NC 19970 occurred at the Savannah Municipal Airport, Savannah, Georgia, on October 10, 1941, about 2:10 a.m.[1] while the aircraft was operating in scheduled air carrier service between New York, New York, and Miami, Florida, as Trip 5 of Eastern Air Lines, Inc.[2] The accident resulted in substantial damage to the airplane. At the time of the accident the airplane was carrying five passengers and a crew of three. None of the passengers or members of the crew sustained any injuries.
The Washington office of the Civil Aeronautics Board[3] was officially notified of the accident about 3:03 a.m. the same day and was informed at that time that the right landing gear of the aircraft had collapsed on landing. Immediately after receiving this notification the Board initiated an investigation of the accident in accordance with the provisions of Section 702(a)(2) of the Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938, as amended. Investigators were sent to the scene of the accident, the first of whom arrived there about 9:30 a.m. the same day.
Inspection and Preservation of the Wreckage
The damaged airplane was not disturbed prior to the arrival of the first of the Board’s investigators, who immediately took custody of the airplane and placed it under guard. After an examination of the damaged airplane at the scene of the accident the right wheel and tire were forwarded to the National Bureau of Standards, Washington, D. C., for inspection and analysis. Upon conclusion of the investigation, the aircraft was released to Eastern.
Public Hearing
In connection with the investigation of the accident, a public hearing was held at Miami, Florida, on October 24, 1941. Robert W. Chrisp, an attorney for the Board, acted as Presiding Examiner. The following personnel of the Safety Bureau of the Board participated in the hearing. R. D. Royt, Assistant Director, Frank E. Caldwell, Chief, Investigation Division, Thomas J. Fowler, Air Safety Investigator, and Harold G. Crowley, Accident Reports Consultant.
All of the evidence available to the Board at the time was presented at the hearing. Twelve witnesses testified and fourteen exhibits were introduced. While the Examiner and the representatives of the Safety Bureau were the only ones designated to ask questions of the witnesses, the Examiner, acting under instructions of the Board, announced at the opening of the hearing that any person who had any evidence, questions, or suggestions to present for consideration in the proceedings might submit them in writing to the Examiner. Two written questions were so submitted and asked during the hearing.
After the close of the hearing, a deposition was taken from Earle R. Foote, United States Army Air Crops, who witnessed the accident. The deposition was made a part of the record of the investigation.
