aircraft was loaded within its allowable limits with respect to both and c.g. location. The evidence indicates that the airplane and equipment had received the overhauls, periodic inspections, and checks which are required by company practice and approved by the Civil Aeronautics Administration, and that the aircraft was in an airworthy condition at the time of its departure from Seattle, Washington, on the day of the accident.
Flight Personnel
The crew of the flight in question consisted of Captain Leon S. DeLong, First Officer Theodore M. Finholt, and Stewardess Bernice N. Bertelson.
Captain DeLong, age 48, had been employed by Northwest and its predecessors as a captain since December 5, 1928. He had had approximately 24 years of flying experience. He held an airline transport pilot certificate with multi—engine 1050–3150 h.p. rating, and had total of 12,801 hours flying time, of which approximately 2,700 hour had been on Douglas DC-3 equipment. DeLong had a total instrument time of approximately 553 hours. His last physical examination, required by the Civil Air Regulations, was taken on may 27, 1942. His rest period prior to departure from Billings on August 29, 1942, was approximately 21 hours.
First Officer Theodore M. Finholt, age 29, held a commercial pilot
