Page:CAB Accident Report, Capital Airlines Trip 587.pdf/7



Investigation and Taking of Depositions

The Civil Aeronautics Board was notified of this accident at 2230 e.s.t., August 26, 1959. 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 at the Kanawha County Airport, Charleston, West Virginia, on September 1, 1959, and in the CAB offices in Washington, D. C., on September 22, and December 11, 1959.

Air Carrier

Capital Airlines, Inc., is a Delaware corporation and maintains its principal offices in Washington, D. C. The corporation holds a current certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by the Civil Aeronautics Board to engage in the transportation of persons, property, and mail. It also possesses a valid air carrier operating certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Agency (formerly Civil Aeronautics Administration).

Flight Personnel

Captain Merle W. Black, age 37, was employed by Capital Airlines October 16, 1950. He held a valid FAA airline transport pilot certificate and ratings for the DC-3, DC-3S, and DC-4. He had a total flying time of 7,813 hours, of which 4,815 were in DC-3 equipment. His last line check was accomplished satisfactorily January 26, 1959, and his last semiannual proficiency check was passed on March 3, 1959. Captain Black was qualified as captain on the Dc-3 July 19, 1956. He had made nine landings at the Kanawha County Airport in the 30 days preceding the accident, the last being made August 25, 1959. He passed his latest FAA first-class physical examination with no waivers on July 22, 1959.

Copilot David C. Walchli, age 28, was employed by Capital Airlines on September 20, 1957. He held a valid FAA commercial pilot certificate with airplane single-engine land and instrument ratings. Mr. Walchli had a total of 2,787 flying hours, of which 741 were in the DC-3. He completed his qualification and checkout as co-pilot on the DC-3 October 16, 1957. He had made six landings at the Kanawha County Airport in the 30 days preceding the accident. His last copilot proficiency check and instrument certification was accomplished satisfactorily June 3, 1959. His latest FAA first-class physical examination was passed September 11, 1958, with no waivers.

Hostess Irmgard Hams, age 24, was Employed by Capital Airlines February 18, 1959. She had received the Capital indoctrination course for all Capital aircraft. She had also received general emergency procedure training on all Capital aircraft February 12, 1959, and a general emergency procedure refresher training on May 20, 1959.

The Aircraft

N44993, a Douglas DC-3, serial number 6260, was manufactured December 22, 1942. It was purchased October 25, 1945, by Capital Airlines and had accumulated a total of 40,861 flying hours. It had flown 148 hours since the last number 4 inspection and 50 hours since the last number 2 inspection. The aircraft was equipped with two right cyclone engines, model G-202, and Hamilton Standard propellers, model 23E50.