Page:CAB Accident Report, Capital Airlines Flight 983.pdf/6



The Civil Aeronautics Board was notified of this accident on May 12, 1959, shortly after occurrence. An Investigation vas Immediately initiated In accordance with the provisions of Title VI I of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 • The Board ordered a public hear Ing which was held at Charleston, West Virginia, June 24-25, 1959.

Capital Airlines, Inc., is a Delaware corporation with principal offices in Washington, D.C. The company holds a current certificate of public convenience and necessity Issued by the Civil Aeronautics Board to engage in the transportation by air of persons, property, and mail. It also holds an air carrier operating certificate Issued by the Federal Aviation Agency.

Captain Richard Vincent Ohm, age 32, was employed by Capital Airlines on February 15, 1957. He was properly certificated and rated for the subject flight. Captain Ohm had a total piloting time of 4,966 hours, of which 408 had been as copilot on Constellations and 293 as captain on Constellations. His last physical examination was satisfactory and his rest period during the 24 hours preceding this flight had been 17 hours and 35 minutes. During the 30 days preceding thx s accident he made six landings at the Kanawha County Airport.

First Officer Charles Victor Spoth, age 27, was employed by Capital Airlines lines in February 1957. He was properly certificated and rated for the subject flight, and had 822 hours as Constellation copilot. His total piloting time vas 2,321 hours. He also had been into Kanawha County Airport four times within the previous 30 days, and had 21 hours of rest during the 24 hours preceding this flight.

Flight Engineer John Howanski, age 39, was employed by Capital in June 1950. His total time as a flight engineer on Constellations vas 6,830 hours and he was properly certificated and rated. Mr. Howanski had had 17 hours of rest during the 24 hours preceding this flight.

Hostesses Evelyn Viera and Nancy Marshall had satisfactorily completed the training courses, including those for emergency procedures.

The aircraft was a Lockheed Constellation, model .49E—46, N 2735A, serial number 1978. It had been purchased by Capital Airlines in October 1954. At the time of the accident it had been operated a total of 29,589 hours. All overhauls and inspections were current and maintenance had been kept current. Engines were Wright Cyclone, model 3350BA-3, and propellers were Hamilton Standard, model 33E60. all powerplant maintenance was satisfactory.