Page:CAB Accident Report, Pan Am Flight 102.pdf/7



The Civil Aeronautics Board was modified of this accident at 2045 e.s.t., July 11, 1959. Investigators were on the scene during the emergency and immediately initiated an investigation in accordance with the provisions of Title VII of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958. A public hearing was held in New York City on July 30 and 31, 1959.

Pan American World Airways, Inc., is a New York corporation with its main offices in New York, New York. The corporation operates as an air carrier under a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by the Civil Aeronautics Board and an air carrier operating certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Agency (formerly Civil Aeronautics Administration). These certificates authorize the carrier to engage in air transportation between various points in the United States and foreign countries, including the route involve din this instance.

Captain Edward F. Sommers, age 44, was employed by Pan American World Airways on November 29, 1939. He holds a valid FAA airline transport pilot certificate with a rating for the Boeing 707. He had a total of 17,100 flying hours, of which 170 were in the Boeing 707. He completed his latest emergency class and ground refresher course May 11, 1959. His latest FAA (formerly CAA) physical examination was passed April 8, 1959.

Flight Officer William H. Riester, age 42, was employed by Pan American World Airways on March 16, 1942. He holds a valid FAA airline transport pilot certificate with a rating in the Boeing 707. He had a total of 11,270 flying hours, of which 144 were in the Boeing 707. He completed his latest ground refresher course May 20, 1959, and his last emergency class April 14, 1959. His last FAA physical examination was passed March 21, 1959.

Navigator Walter E. Hoffman, age 37, was employed by Pan American World Airways on December 26, 1951. He holds a valid FAA commercial pilot certificate and navigation certificate. He had a total of 3,424 flying hours, of which 249 were in the Boeing 707. His last physical examination was passed October 4, 1958. His latest emergency class and periodic refresher courses were taken April 5, 1959.

Flight Engineer August G. McKinney, age 47, was employed by Pan American World Airways May 11, 1936. He holds a valid flight engineer certificate with airplane and engine ratings. He had a total of 14,090 flying hours, of which 733 were in the Boeing 707. His latest FAA physical examination was passed December 1, 1958. He completed his latest emergency class July 21, 1958.

The flight service crew, consisting of Pursers Edmund Trudelle and Mario De Minices; Stewardesses Muriel Orvidson, Mona Nordby, and Ursula Kempin; and Steward John Treadwell, were all properly qualified in the Boeing 707.

N 707PA, a Boeing 707, serial number 17587, was owned and operated by Pan American World Airways, Inc. The aircraft was equipped with Pratt & Whitney JT3C turbo-jet engines.