Page:CAB Aircraft Accident Report, Northwest Flight 293.pdf/5

 to be approximately 54°14'N — 134°41'W. Based on this estimated impact area, reported winds, and currents, it was determined that the wreckage would have drafted in a northeasterly direction at .94 knots to the point where it was discovered. The water depth in this area is in excess of 8,000 feet. The Coast Guard reported water temperatures of 50.5°F — 51.8°F at the surface during their search of the area.

Search activities were called off at 0400, June 7, 1963. Periodic sweeps by aircraft since that time have discovered no further material.

The recovered survival equipment consisted of three 20-man life rafts; four crew immersion suits; a parachute bag of winter clothing for crew use; and fourteen adult and one children's size life Jackets. In addition, the following aircraft components were recovered: the top section of the divider wall between the two aft lavatories; a small portion of exterior aircraft skin from the aft fuselage area; the seat pan and cushion from the extra observer's seat; one-half of a pilot's seat cushion; approximately 60 passenger seat back cushions; and approximately 45 passenger seat cushions. Additionally, miscellaneous items including blankets, clothing, pillows, three passenger seat belts, wood fragments, pieces of carpet, and pieces of interior decoration were recovered.

The seat back cushions, in many instances, contained the aluminum seat back frames. These frames were extremely deformed and most were broken into several pieces. The impact forces collapsed many of the frames downward and sideward giving them the apperance [sic] of "M's" with one or both of the vertical legs of the "M" bent or broken. The seat and back cushions retained their shape and the covers exhibited vertical tearing of the seat covers and foam cushions. There were no fragments of foreign material driven into the cushions although fragments of wood and other material were adhering to the fibers inside the seat covers and inside the cushion airspaces. A number of the seat back covers, with the life vest storage compartments still zipped shut, were salvaged with the life vests in their intact plastic containers.

The two-foot by one—foot portion of white painted aircraft exterior skin was found entangled in the lanyards of one of the life rafts. It was identified as coming from the top portion of the fuselage on the right side near one of the aft life raft storage areas.

The recovered survival equipment showed no signs of attempted use. Three complete seat belt units were recovered, buckled, and examination showed the belt webbing was compressed under the belt cams.

Recovered clothing had received various degrees of damage ranging from none to severe shredding and tearing. A large amount of this clothing was buttoned but not torn. None of the recovered clothing showed any signs of tissue or human remains but some of it did have wood chips, splinters, and scraps of decorative cabin interior adhering to it. These scraps had not penetrated the material. A few personal effects such as rubber shoes (thongs), shoe brushes, and some portions of carpeting and plywood scraps showed indication of blackening and possible charring. Laboratory examination of these items showed that the burning had occurred on one side only. No evidence of an in-flight fire or explosion was found.

Inquiries indicated that there were no known missile firings the in the area of the accident and no aircraft other than the PNA 5 flight was known to be in the area at the time of the accident.