Page:Aviation Accident Report, United Air Lines Flight 4.pdf/2

 I.

CONDUCT OF INVESTIGATION

An airplane accident occurred in the vicinity of Salt Lake City, Utah, on May 1, 1942, about 11:00 pm. (MWT). The airplane involved, NC 18146, was being operated at the time in scheduled air carrier service between San Francisco, California, and New York, New York, as Trip 4 of United Air Lines Transport Corporation (hereinafter referred to as "United"). All of the thirteen adult passengers and the one infant on board, and the crew of three, were fatally injured. The airplane was completely demolished.

The Washington office of the Civil Aeronautics Board (hereinafter referred to as the "Board") was notified of the accident about 2:00 a.m. (EWT). The Board immediately initiated an investigation in accordance with the provisions of Section 702(e)(2) of the Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938, as amended (hereinafter referred to as the "Act"). Air Safety Investigators of the Board were sent to the scene of the accident, the first of whom arrived about 9:00 o'clock on the morning following the accident. In accordance with the instructions of the Board, the wreckage had been placed under guard. This guard was maintained until the wreckage was officially released to the company on May 15, 1942.

A public hearing was held Salt Lake City, Utah, on May 14 and 15, 1942. Robert B. Bins, an attorney for the Board, acted presiding examiner, and the following personnel of the Safety Bureau the Board participated in the hearing: R. D. Hoyt, Assistant Director; Ralph A. Reed, Senior Air Safety Investigator; and Perry Hodgden, Air Safety