Page:CAB Accident Report, United Airlines Flight 21.pdf/12

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.

- 10 -

He also reported that he had tested the switch in flight between LaGuardia and Cleveland and that while the engine was a little rough at times, this trouble did not re-appear.[1] Inasmuch as an additional ship was available, the Acting Crew Chief in Charge of Maintenance at Cleveland decided to hold NC 25678 for a more complete inspection of the right engine. Accordingly, the passengers and cargo were transferred to the substitute aircraft and the trip departed from the ramp at 2:13 p.m.

Captain Scott, however, did not take off but returned to the hanger and reported that the right engine of the substitute airplane was also cutting out on one magneto. Upon examination by the ground crew and also by Mr. Donald W. Tyler, Superintendent by Mechanical Operations of the Eastern Division of United, who was on the field at the time, it was determined that in order to remedy the condition it would be necessary to replace some of the wiring, which would take at least an hour. Since the right engine of the original airplane had not cut out during the trip from LaGuardia Field to Cleveland, it was decided by Captain Scott, Mr. Tyler, and the ground crew to use the original plane if, after inspection, no trouble was indicated. Accordingly, the ground crew thoroughly checked the engines of this ship and Mr. Tyler personally checked over the right engine and they were unable to find anything wrong with the engine. After running it up to take-off power and testing all of the switches they "found the operation of the engine perfectly normal and smooth, and no signs of misfiring". The

  1. Further discussed on page 69.