Page:CAB Accident Report, United Airlines Flight 21.pdf/3



Aircraft NC 35678, while operating between New York and Chicago as Trip 12 of United Airlines Transport Corporation, crashed within two blocks of the Chicago Municipal Airport about 5:48 p.m. (CST ) on the afternoon of December 4, 1940. As a result of the accident the aircraft was almost completely destroyed and the operating crew of three and seven of the thirteen passengers were fatally injured. The Civil Aeronautics Board (hereinafter referred to as the "Board") was notified of the accident at 6:10 p.m. of the same day.

Pursuant to section 702 (a)(2) of the Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938, as amended, the Board initiated an investigation at once. The Chief of the Investigation Division of the Safety Bureau of the Board immediately left for Chicago. Pending his arrival, the Chicago representatives of the Board took custody of the wreckage and arranged for a continuous guard. After a preliminary examination of the wreckage at the scene of the crash, the Safety Bureau authorized the removal of the aircraft to the United Air Lines hangar at the Chicago Municipal Airport for disassembly and inspection. Until the close of the public hearing, when the aircraft was released by the Board to United Air Lines, the wreckage was under continuous guard by the Chicago Police Department and all inspections, including the dismantling and tear-down of the engines and accessories,