Page:CAB Accident Report, Flying Tiger Line Flight 282.pdf/7

 There were five departures from San Francisco International Airport within approximately one-half hour after Flight 282 departed. Most of the captains of these flights submitted written statements, all of which indicated the winds were strong and gusty on takeoff; there were low clouds and intermittent rain; and the turbulence was light to moderate until reaching at least 1,000 feet altitude.

The meteorologist stationed at the San Francisco International Airport at the time of the accident, testified that there would have been moderate to severe turbulence in the area of Sweeney's Ridge with moderate downdrafts as one approached the ridge.

The Flying Tiger Flight Operations Agents on duty prior to the departure of Flight 282 indicated that the flight crew was provided with the 400-150 mb. significant weather prognostic chart, the winds from the 500 mb. prognostic chart, as well as terminal weather information.

1.3

All radar and NAVAID equipment operated within prescribed tolerances when checked following the accident. The captain certified on the flight clearance that he considered conditions were satisfactory for flight in accordance with his analysis, and current Flying Tiger Line and Civil Air Regulations, including Secs. 42.303 and 42.357.

1.9

All four communications frequencies utilized by ATC to communicate with Flight 282 were recorded on the same tape. Timing of these transmissions revealed an elapsed time of 4 minutes and 30 seconds from the time the crew stated: "Nine one five rolling," until the controller's time hack of 0032:30.

During the brief pause in the 0031:05 transmission following the word "toward," a background voice could be heard to say two, one-syllable words. The best determination that could be made of these words was "flaps up," but they could not be definitely associated with a specific crewmember aboard the aircraft.

During the investigation, the departure controller testified that he observed the aircraft's radar return as it departed from runway 28. However, communications were not established with departure control at this time. The aircraft was more than two miles from the end of the runway when the flight was