Page:Aviation Accident Report, United Air Lines Flight 4.pdf/18

- 17 -  The north leg of Salt Lake Radio Range, on which Trip 4 had been proceeding, has a magnetic bearing of 150 degrees toward the station. The marks on the ground at the scene of the accident showed that the airplane was following a course of about 124 degrees magnetic at the time.

The weather conditions in the area the time were satisfactory for the flight, although visibility was restricted by light to moderate rain.

The available radio range facilities were operating normally at the time of the accident.

There was no evidence of failure of the airplane or any of its parts.

There were no icing conditions which would affect the flight during its approach from Ogden to Salt Lake.

The crew of Trip 4 carried on at normal radio conversation with the Salt Lake control tower at 10:57, about one or two minutes prior to the crash. At the time of that radio contact the trip was considerably off course. 

PROBABLE CAUSE

Upon the basis of the foregoing findings and of the entire record available at this time, we find that the probable cause of the accident to aircraft NC 18146 on May 1, 1942, was deviation from the proper course, for reasons undetermined, after the trip had become contact within ten miles of the airport.