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to about 1240 feet. Several timepieces, including a number of watches and one alarm clock, were found among the wreckage. They were all badly damaged, and only three were in such condition as to show the time at which they had stopped. One of these had stopped at 2:39, one at 2:40 and the other at 2:42.
Condition of the Wreckage
Aircraft Structure and Controls
Following the inspection of the wreckage at the scene of the accident, the remains of the airplane structure were moved to the Washington-Hoover Airport where a more complete inspection of all parts was made. All major component parts of the airplane were accounted for but because of the large area over which numerous small pieces of the wreckage were scattered, it was impossible, under the circumstances, to prevent souvenir hunters from carrying some of the smaller fragments away. A number of pieces taken away were subsequently recovered.
The right and left landing wheels and landing gear were in a badly broken condition, both tires had been blown out by impact, end the right tire was partially burned.
The left elevator and the rear portion of the left stabilizer were badly damaged and a small portion of the fabric on the elevator was butted just forward of the center hinge. The forward portion of the left stabilizer, the right stabilizer, vertical fin, rudder, and the extreme rear portion of the fuselage were still attached. The stabilizers and vertical fin had apparently been damaged by contact with the ground following impact. These parts had been thrown forward about 200 feet from the point of impact. The rudder showed very little damage except that part of the fabric had been burned away. The trim tabs on the elevators were in cruise position, taking into consideration the distribution of the load carried on the airplane.
