Page:CAB Accident Report, Flying Tiger Line Flight 282.pdf/3

 The crew acknowledged, "Right 287 to (Victor) 150, thanks," at 0021.

At 0027:45, the flight advised the Local Controller that they were ready for takeoff. At 0028 the flight advised: "915 rolling."

The Local Controller, who was also assuming the position of Tower Supervisor, noted the time of 0030 on his clock as the aircraft became airborne and passed the tower. An eyewitness observed the landing lights retracting as Flight 282 crossed the end of the runway. However, several witnesses along the flightpath, including some located at points just prior to the crash, saw both landing lights on. Landing lights of the L-1049H may be retracted flush with the lower wing surface and remain on until switched off.

After takeoff witnesses stated the aircraft made a slight turn to the right, then a steeper turn to the left, and then was observed returning to a wings-level attitude as it entered the clouds.

At 0030:22, the flight was advised to contact Departure Control.

At 0030:52, the crew established radio communication with the Departure Controller by asking: "Departure, Tiger nine one five, you got us—ah—over?"

The Departure Controller acknowledged with the reply at 0300:57: "Flying Tiger nine one five, San Francisco Departure Control radar contact, report leaving thousand-foot altitudes, over."

At 0031:05, the crew responded: "Roger, how do you have us tracking toward the—ah—Gap?" At this point in time, the Departure controller switched his radar scope from the 30 to the 10-mile setting and requested the flight's altitude.

At 0031:16, the crew replied: "Nine Hundred."

At 0031:20, the Departure Controller acknowledged with the following advisory: "Nine Hundred, Roger, it shows you are going directly out on the, well, you're left of course of the San Francisco two eight seven (radial)." When the Departure Controller received no acknowledgement for this advisory, it was repeated. The Departure Controller stated: " within seconds after the second transmission, the target stopped, bloomed, and disappeared from the radar scope." Repeated attempts to communicate with the flight after its disappearance from the scope were unsuccessful. At this time, 0032:30, the controller placed a time hack on the communications tape. Ground impact was computed to have occurred at approximately 0031:30. Main impact occurred 860 feet above sea level on Sweeney's Ridge, at approximately 4.3 miles on the 257° radial of the SFO TVOR.