Page:CAB Accident Report, Pan American Flight 161.pdf/12



The Atlanta Office of the Civil Aeronautics Board received notification at 2320 on January 8, 1945, and the Board initiated an investigation in accordance with the provisions of Section 702 (a) (2) of the amended Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938. The Senior Air Safety Investigator in charge of the Atlanta Office proceeded to Port of Spain, arriving there about 2045 on January 10, and started the investigation. Other members of the Board's Safety Bureau staff arrived shortly thereafter.

In connection with the investigation the Board ordered a Public Hearing in which the Chief of the Investigation Section served as Presiding Officer with others of the Board’s Safety Bureau staff participating. The hearing was held at Miami, Florida, on January 29, 30 and 31, 1945.

Pan American Airways, a New York Corporation with headquarters in New York and its Latin American Division offices in Miami, was operating at the time of the accident as an air carrier under a currently effective certificate of public convenience and necessity and an air carrier operating certificate. These certificates authorized it to transport persons, property and mail between various points, including Miami, Florida; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Port of Spain, Trinidad, B.W.I.

Aircraft NC 14716, a Martin M-130, was purchased new by Pan American in October, 1935. The aircraft was transferred to the United States Navy during the early part of the war and Pan American reacquired it on October 13, 1943. It was powered by four Pratt and Whitney S2A5G engines and was equipped with Hamilton Standard constant speed propellers.