Page:CAB Accident Report, United Airlines Flight 21.pdf/75



Upon all the evidence available to the Board at this time, we find the probable facts relating to the accident involving aircraft NC 25678 which occurred near Chicago, Illinois, on December 4, 1940, to be as follows:

The accident occurred at approximately 5:48 p.m., and resulted in major damage to aircraft NC 25678 and the death of the crew of three and seven of the thirteen passengers.

United Air Lines Transport Corporation, the operator of the aircraft, held a currently effective and appropriate certificate of public convenience and necessity and an air carrier operating certificate.

The flight crew, Captain Philip Scott and First Officer George S. Young, were physically qualified and held proper certification of competency to operate as air carrier pilots over the route between New York and Chicago.

Aircraft NC 25678 was currently certificated as airworthy at the time of the accident and had been maintained in accordance with company procedure and the applicable maintenance competency letters issued to United.

United 21 was cleared in accordance with proper procedure from New York, New York, to Cleveland, Ohio, including stops at Philadelphia and Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Akron, Ohio, and from Cleveland, Ohio, to Chicago, Illinois.

Before take-off from LaGuardia Field, New York, the right engine was cutting out on one magneto but this difficulty cleared up prior to take-off and did not recur during the flight between New York and Cleveland.