Page:CAB Accident Report, Pennsylvania-Central Airlines Flight 142.pdf/15

 Consideration was also give to the tail wheel lock. This device, controlled from the cockpit by a lover located under the throttle quadrant pedestal, keeps the tail wheal in line daring the take-off and landing and while in flight. The captain stated that he unlocked the tail wheel prior to initiating the ground loop, and the tail wheel was found unlocked during the examination of the wreckage. It is possible, however, that the airplane was turning to the left before the lever was moved to the unlocked position, and that the resulting pressure on the latch prevented it from disengaging. If this occurred, it may have prevented the successful completion of a ground loop which otherwise would have kept the airplane from going off the runway.

III.

CONCLUSION

Findings

We find, upon all of the evidence sailable to the Board at this time, that the facts relating to the accident involving aircraft NC 25691, which occurred near Morgantown, West Virginia, on October 2, 1941, are as follows:

1. The accident, which occurred about 9:15 a.m. to Trip 142 resulted in miner injuries to four passengers. The other fifteen passengers and the crew of three escaped injury. The airplane was substantially damaged.

2. At the time of the accident, PCA held a currently effective certificate of public convenience and necessity and an air carrier operating certificate authorizing it to conduct the flight.