Page:CAB Accident Report, Eastern Air Lines Flight 42.pdf/4

 continuing through smaller trees. With the left wing dropped until it was almost vertical, the airplane struck the-ground, the left wing taking the brunt of the impact. At about this time the vertical tail surfaces were sheared off by two medium size trees and the fuselage broke near the main cabin door, the forward part whipping over to the left. Ignited gasoline spread fire consuming most of the forward part of the aircraft and its contents.

Examination of objects which fell from the aircraft the points of and contacts (495 feet apart) indicated most of them were from the general region of the lavatory, buffet and rear baggage compartment. All of the objects from this part of airplane were either severer burned or showed signs of fire. Along the probable flight path took of the point of initial contact were numerous pieces of burned soundproofing, partially burned paper napkins, a few partially burned letters and a piece of material from personal luggage. These items where scattered over area about 400 feet wide and at least a mile long, and are conclusive evidence that the aircraft was afire prior to the crash. (Attached sketch shows their distribution.}

A detailed study of the notes and of from the prior to impact with the ground indicates definitely that the concentration of fire in flight was in the rear of the fuselage The great number of pieces of burned paper napkins indicates the presence of one within the buffet compartment. Burned soundproofing and various items from the lavatory compartment which were found almost completely consumed by fire prior to final impact indicate a strong possibility that the lavatory was the location of the initial fire. However the presence off burned mail and the piece of luggage suggests the possibility - 3 -