Page:CAB Accident Report, General Airways DC-3 crash on 1 February 1959.pdf/12

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SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

Investigation and Taking of Depositions

The Civil Aeronautics Board was notified of the accident approximately two hours ,after its occurrence. An investigation was immediately initiated in accordance with the provi J.an of Section 701 (a) (2) of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958. Depositions ere taken at Portland, Oregon, on March 3, 1959, and at Pueblo, Colorado, on March 6, 1959.

Carrier

Douglas DC—3, N 17314, was owned by General Airways, Inc., an Oregon Corporation. The company is a supplemental air carrier and was issued interim authority as such by the Civil Aeronautics Board on January 16, 1956. It was subsequently awarded a five (5) year temporary certificate of convenience and necessity which became effective March 30, 1959. The company also had an air carrier operating certificate issued by the Civil Aeronautics Administration. This latter was Voluntarily surrendered to the Federal Aviation Agency shortly after this accident. The company engages in general passenger and freight transportation and at the time of this accident, owned and operated two DC—B's and one DC-4.

Flight Personnel

Captain Woodrow Orien Epps, age 42, held a currently effective airman certificate with an airline transport rating. He was rated for DC-j's and DC~4's. His last physical examination (first class) was current, as were his last equipment and instrument checks. Captain Epps had flown a total of 15,009 hours, of which 9,373 hours had been in DC-3's, and had been employed by General Airways, Inc., since April 1951.

Reserve Captain Harvey Hitt, age 38, held a currently effective airman certificate with airline transport and DEE-3 ratings. His last physical exam- ination (first class) was current as were his last equipment and instrument checks. Mr. Hitt had flown a total of 3,872 hours, of which 3,100 had been in DC—3's. He had been employed by General Airways, Inc., since August 1954.

Copilot Wilbur Wittliff, age 42, held a current airman certificate with commercial and instrument ratings. His last physical examination (first class) was current as were his: last equipment and instrument checks. Mr. Wittliff had flown a total of 2,937 hours, of which 1,062 has been in DC-j's. He had been employed by General Airways, Inc., since October 1957.

The Aircraft

Douglas DC—3, N 17314, was owned and operated by General Airways, Inc. It was certificated to operate under the transport category in accordance With a manual prepared by American Airmotive, Inc., which was approved for General Airways' use by the CAA. The aircraft had a total usage of 49,051 hours. Its last major inspection had been 6,215 operational hours prior to the accident. Its last line maintenance had been 42 Operational hours prior to the accident. The engines were Pratt and Whitney model R-1830-92, serial Nos. BP431523 and