Page:CAB Accident Report, Alaska Airlines Flight 779.pdf/10



The Civil Aeronautics Board was notified of the occurrence of the accident at 0350 Alaska Daylight Time July 21, 1961. An investigation was immediately initiated in accordance with the provisions of Title VII of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958. Depositions ordered by the Board were taken in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 4, 1961, and in Seattle, Washington, on August 8, 1961.

Alaska Airlines, Inc., is an Alaska Corporation with principal offices at 2320 6th Avenue, Seattle, Washington. The corporation is the holder of air carrier operating certificate No. 802 issued on September 23, 1946, and revised February 12, 1958. The corporation holds air carrier operating certificate No. 802 authorizing its charter and special service operation conducted under Part 42 of the Civil Air Regulations. The corporation holds a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by the Civil Aeronautics Board.

The aircraft was a Douglas DC-6A, manufactured as a cargo aircraft for Alaska Airlines under serial No. 45243 on October 20, 1957. The total time on the air frame at the time of the accident was 10,600:30 hours. The last major inspection was conducted l46:ll hours prior to the accident.

The powerplants consisted of four Pratt & Whitney R2800 CB 17 engines with propeller model No. 43E60-483-P9/6895 E-8. The time since overhaul on the engines was as follows: No. 1: 601:47 hours; No. 2: 601:47 hours; No. 3: 1,481:26 hours; and No. 4: 1,028:34 hours. Time since overhaul of the propellers was as follows: No. 1: 3,248:03 hours; No. 2: 1,280:37 hours; No. 3: 107:46 hours; and No. 4.: 1,597:39 hours.

Captain Edward F. Bowman, age 44, had been employed with Alaska Airlines since November 17, 1946. He had 13,019:31 total flying hours, 1,117:34 hours in DC-6 equipment, 4,219:00 hours night time, and 2,051:00 hours actual instrument time, 28:00 hours of which were flown in the last month preceding the accident. Captain Bowman possessed ATR No. 54701 showing certification in DC-3, DC-4, DC-6, DC-7, and C-46 aircraft. His last route proficiency and instrument checks were conducted March 14, 1961. No route checks had been conducted over the particular route involved in the accident since the flight was conducted under the provisions of Part 42 of the Civil Air Regulations. Captain Bowman's first-class medical certificate was dated May 3, 1961.

Cocaptain Galvin W. Sargent, age 41, was hired by Alaska Airlines on June 16, 1961. He had a total of over 13,000 hours on four-engine equipment, including the DC-6. He had 714:12 hours of actual instrument time. He was given a DC-6 captain's proficiency and instrument check on June 21, 1961. Captain Sargent possessed ATR No. 35549-40 with ratings in Martin 202-424, DC-4, DC-6, DC-7, C-46 and Boeing 377; single and multiengine land and commercial privileges. The date of his last