Page:CAB Accident Report, 1945 Page Airways Accident.pdf/1

 Docket No. SA-103

Power interruption during a take-off climb induced a forced landing resulting in death to six passengers and injury to five others and to the crew of two at the National Airport, Washington, D. C., at approximately 1240 EWT on April 27, 1945. The aircraft was completely destroyed by impact and resultant fire.

Just after take-off a loss of power occurred and the captain landed straight ahead. The aircraft bounced three times before it maintained ground contact and then rolled into a drainage ditch near the upwind end of the runway where it burned.

The probable cause of the accident was engine failure during a critical period of take-off, following which the plot executed an emergency landing under unfavorable conditions. Contributing factors were the strong gusts and ground turbulence which prevailed at the time. However, the seriousness of the accident was due to the presence of a deep ditch near the runway.