Page:CAB Accident Report, Riddle Airlines Flight 402.pdf/6



The Civil Aeronautics Board was notified of the accident at 0110 March 31, 1959. An investigation was immediately initiated in accordance with the provisions of Section 701 (a) (2) of the Federal Aviation Act of 1953. Depositions, ordered by the Board, were taken at Alma, Georgia, May 19, 1959; Orlando, Florida, May 20, 1959; and Miami, Florida, May 21 and 22, 1959.

Riddle Airlines, Inc., is a Florida corporation with its principal place of business in Miami. It operates as a scheduled air cargo carrier under a currently effective temporary certificate of convenience and necessity issued by the Civil Aeronautics Board and a cargo carrier operating certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Agency. These certificates authorize the company to transport cargo over the route involved.

Captain Eugene P. Nesselhaus, 39, was employed by Riddle Airlines January 7, 1952. He held a current airman certificate with all appropriate ratings. He had a total of 13,496 ﬂying hours, of which 5,950 were in C-46 aircraft.

First Officer Robert H. Gillespie, 36, was employed by Riddle Airlines February 17, 1956. He held a current airman certificate with all appropriate ratings. He had a total of 6,304 flying hours, of which 6,043 were in C-46 aircraft.

N TBhOB, serial number 302h2, was manufactured by Curtiss-Wright Corporation. It was transferred several times before being acquired by Riddle Airlines. It had approximately 3,278 flying hours at that time. Riddle Airlines performed extensive alterations on the aircraft converting it, according to transport category criteria, to a C-46R model. An airworthiness certificate was issued for the aircraft October 4, 1957. The aircraft received a No. 2 equalized service inspection on march 25, 1959, at which time the airframe had flown a total of 2,152 hours since overhaul. The approximate total time on the airframe since manufacture was 5,455 hours.

The aircraft was equipped with two Pratt & Whitney R2800-34 engines and Hamilton Standard, model 33E60-6801-6, propellers.