Page:CAB Aircraft Accident Report, American Airlines Flight 2815.pdf/6



The Civil Aeronautics Board was notified of this accident shortly after occurrence. An investigation was immediately initiated in accordance with the provisions of Section 702 (a) (2) of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958. Depositions were taken at Chicago, Illinois, on April 22 and 23, 1959.

Convair model 240, N 94273, was owned and operated by American Airlines, Inc., a Delaware corporation with general offices in New York, N. Y. It operates as an air carrier under currently effective certificates of public convenience and necessity issued by the Civil Aeronautics Board and under an air carrier operating certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Agency. These certificates authorize the carrier to transport persons and property by air over numerous routes including the one being flown in this instance.

Captain Lawrence W. Larsen, age 23, held all requisite certification for the subject flight. He had been employed continuously by American since July 1950. His initial employment had been as a flight engineer trainee and he had become a flight engineer, then a first officeofficer [sic] on Convairs, and then a Convair captain. At the time of this accident, Mr. Larsen had flown a total of 8,500 hours, of which 2,500 hours had been as a Convair captain.

During the 24 hours preceding this flight he had had 1 hour and 33 minutes of piloting time. During the preceding 30 days he had flown 49 hours and 37 minutes. His last instrument check was on January 12, 1959; the equipment used was a Convair and the check was standard. He had received a line check from La Guardia to Albany to La Guardia on November 26, 1958, and it also was standard. His last physical examination (first class) was on February 17, 1959, and was satisfactory.

First Officer Kenneth Warren Kinne, age 29, held all requisite certification for the subject flight. He had been first employed by American in February 1957, furloughed in December 1957, and recalled in February 1959. He was qualified by the company as a first officer on Convairs. Mr. Kinne had flown a total of 1,800 hours, of which 800 hours had been as first officer on Convairs. His last physical examination and his last instrument and route checks were current and satisfactory.

N 94273, Convair, model 240, was one of a fleet of about 50 such aircraft owned and operated by American Airlines. It had a total flying time of about 22,720 hours. All maintenance had been adequate and was current. The engines were Pratt and Whitney model R-280083 AM4-A. Their total times were 19,495 and 20,087 hours, with 969 and 1,075 hours since overhaul, for left and right, respectively. Propellers were Hamilton Standard both having 2,342 operational hours since the last hub overhaul or reassembly.