Page:CAB Accident Report, Northwest Airlines Flight 5.pdf/3

 Upon the basis of all the evidence accumulated in the investigation and hearing, the Board now makes its report in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

Northwest, a Minnesota corporation, was operating at the time of the accident as an air carrier under currently effective certificates of public convenience and necessity and air carrier operating certificates theretofore issued to it pursuant to the Act, authorizing it to engage in air transportation with respect to persons, property and mail on various routes, among them being the route between Chicago and Seattle via numerous intermediate points including Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Fargo, North Dakota.

On the flight in question the crew consisted of Captain Clarence F. Bates, First Officer Alden Onsgard, and Stewardess Bernice Blowers.

Captain Bates, who is 41 years of age, had, at the time of the accident, accumulated a total of approximately 7000 hours of flying time, of which about 6000 hours had been with Northwest. He had served as a first officer for Northwest from June 1, 1932, until November 17, 1935, when he was advanced to captain. Of his total time as captain, 2275 hours had been on DC-3's. Company records do not show the amount of Captain Bates' instrument time and since his personal log books were burned in the accident it is necessary to rely upon an estimate on that point. Captain Bates estimated that he had approximately 1500 hours of instrument flight time and company records show that he had about 21 hours of Link Trainer time. He had undergone an instrument check by the company check pilot on April 23, 1941, and a line check under contact conditions on October 21, 1941, from Minneapolis to Billings and in both cases he was reported as satisfactory. Captain Bates' last physical examination required by the Civil Air Regulations was taken on July 19, 1941, and showed him to be in a satisfactory physical condition.

First Officer Onsgard, who was 25 years of age, had, at the time of the accident, accumulated approximately 1300 hours. He had begun flying for Northwest on May 25, 1941, and his total time with that company was approximately 407 hours, of which 367 hours had been in DC-3 equipment. His personal log book also having been destroyed at the time of the accident, it is impossible to determine definitely the amount of his instrument time, but he had received an instrument rating from the Administrator of Civil Aeronautics on March 24, 1941, after successfully completing the required written and flight tests, and had passed an instrument flight test given by Northwest prior to his employment. He had accumulated 22 hours and 35 minutes of Link Trainer time. First Officer Onsgard's last physical examination required by the Civil Air Regulations was taken on June 25, 1941, and showed him to be in satisfactory physical condition.

Captain Bates had a rest period of more than 89 hours, and First Officer Onsgard more than 30 hours, prior to going on duty October 29, 1941. 20635