Page:CAB Accident Report, Allegheny Airlines Flight 604.pdf/2

- 2 - was not very high, nor was it climbing very fast. Smoke and fire were observed in the area of the right engine. An aircraft mechanic observed the aircraft at an estimated altitude of 500 feet with both propellers still turning. The flight con- tinued in a northeasterly direction, passed over a house, approximately 850.feet m.s.l. and disappeared beyond a ridge. A woman in the house stated that, "As he disappeared over (the) ridge the sound of motors quieted. I heard a few pops and then sounds like the wrinkling of paper."

Passangers reported unusual noises, Smoke, and flame emanating from the right engine within two minutes after takeoff. The propeller was quickly feathered. The stewardess, who had gone to the flight deck, returned to the cabin and announced that they were returning to Williamsport. Some felt that the left engine sound changed, others were expecting an increase in sound, but heard none. Two described an easy left turn after the engine was feathered, but the others did not notice. Impact occurred approximately one minute after the right engine was feathered.

The captain and first officer testified that they could not recall any of the events surrounding the flight. The pilot-trainee who occupied the jumpseat stated first the first officer was flying the aircraft from the left seat during the takeoff, and the captain was in the right seat. He stated that the captain retracted the landing gear four to five seconds after liftoff, but he did not observe the flap retraction. The aircraft remained in a climbing attitude, any turns were very slight, and the flight from takeoff to impact was smooth. His first indication of abnormality was when the first officer reached up to shut off the fuel, and the captain reached up and pressed the feathering button. He also recalled the first officer saying ". . . 100 knots Al . . . ." just before impact.

The aircraft_crashed at approximately 1506, during daylight, at 41° 17′ N lati- tude and 76° 49′ W longitude. The elevation was approximately 1,100 feet m.s.l.

1.2 Injuries to Persons

1.3 Damage to Aircraft

The aircraft was destroyed by impact and fire.

1.4 Other Damage

The aircraft severed an electric line pole and uprooted and burned small trees along the wreckage swath.

1.5 Crew Information

Captain Allen J. Lauber, age 36, held airline transport pilot certificate No. 562471, with ratings for DC-3, M-202/404, and CV—240/340/440 aircraft. He was hired