Page:CAB Accident Report, Pan Am Flight 115.pdf/10



The Civil Aeronautics Board was notified of this acc1dent the morning of February 14., 1959. An investigation was 1med1ately begun in accordance with the provisions of Section 701 (a) (2) of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958. Depositions of pertinent witnesses were taken in New York, New York, March 11 and 12; in Seattle, Washington, April 1; and in 105 Angeles, California, April 6 and 7, 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. These certificates authorize the carrier to engage in air transportation between various points in the United States and foreign countries, including the route involved in this instance.

Captain N. Waldo Lynch, age 46, held a valid airman certificate with an airline transport rating and ratings for DC-3, DC-4, DC-6, DC-7, and B-707 aircraft. He had a total of 11,185 flying hours, of which 350 were in B-707 aircraft.

Copilot Samuel Peters, age 49, held a valid airman certificate with an air- line transport rating, multi-engine land, and aircraft rating on the B-707 aircraft. He had a total of 14,952 flying hours, of which 269 were in B-707 aircraft.

Flight Engineer George Sineki, age 44, held a valid flight engineer certificate. He had approximately 11,012 hours, of which 194 were in B-707 aircraft. He was employed by the company September 23, 1942.

Navigator John Laird, age 14.1, held a valid flight nav1gator Certificate. He had a total of 1,376 hours, of which 211 were in B-707 aircraft. He was employed by the company May 13, 1946.

Pursers A. Leibner and R. Barton, and Stewardesses T. Clark, J. McComack, J. Descoteaux, and P. Jones were all properly qualified.

N 712, a Boeing 707-121, serial number 17591, owned by Pan American world Airways, Inc., had a total of 705 flying hours. At the time of the accident it had accumulated 39 flying hours Since the last maintenance phase check. The aircraft was powered by four Pratt and Whitney JT3C6 engines.