Page:CAB Accident Report, Pan American incident near Maracaibo, Venezuela on 24 July 1940.pdf/1



May 24, 1941

2248-40

An accident occurring near Maracaibo, Venezuela, South America on July 24, 1940, was caused when the pilot lost control of the aircraft while taxyingtaxiing [sic] to the loading ramp, the Civil Aeronautics Board reported today.

The aircraft, operated by, Inc., New York, New York, was a Douglas DC3A-S1C3G, NC 25657, powered by Pratt & Whitney engines S1C3G left motor 251.43 horsepower - right motor 251.43 horsepower. The crew was as follows:

Jose del CarmonCarmen [sic] Carrasquero, a native employee of Pan American Airways, was fatally injured when struck by a propeller as the Douglas airplane was being taxied to the loading ramp at the Maracaibo Airport, Maracaibo, Venezuela.

Subsequent investigation disclosed that the flight crew had discovered a leakage of hydraulic fluid from the vicinity of the hydraulic system pressure gauge shortly before arriving at Coro, the last intermediate stop before Maracaibo. The leakage apparently stopped when the hydraulic pressure decreased upon lowering the landing gear. The landing at Coro had been effectedaffected [sic] and the indicated 500 pounds pressure remaining on the hydraulic system had sufficed to decelerate the airplane in a normal manner. The flight crew elected to continue the flight to Maracaibo, the terminus of the day's flight, with the landing gear remaining extended.

Upon arrival at Maracaibo a normal landing was made during which landing flaps and cowl flaps operated normally. After completing the landing roll the brakes were tested and found to function normally, whereupon the pilot slowly taxied toward the passenger platform located in front of the hangar. This necessitated a movement in a southerly direction with a crosswind from the East. To keep the aircraft from weathercocking to the left into the wind, the tail wheel was locked in a neutral position and the left engine operated under greater power than the right. (over)