Page:CAB Aviation Accident Report, Mid-Air Collision on 15 December 1959.pdf/9



The Civil Aeronautics Board Was notified of this accident shortly after it ocurred on December 15, 1959. An investigation was initiated in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958. Depositions, ordered by the board, were taken in Cheyenne, Wyoming, on February 4, 1960.

Pilot Gene A. Lewis, 37, reelded in St. Cloud, Minnesota, and was the senior member of Scenic Outdoor Advertising, Inc., part owner of the Beechcraft C-35. He held a private pilot certificate with single-engine land rating issued by the Federal Aviation Agency June 29, 1959. FAA records indicate that at that time he had acquired 19 hours dual, of which Six hours were on cross-country He also had 82 hours solo, of which 62 were cross-country. As near as can be determined, at the thee of the accident he had accumulated a total of 325 hours of flying. Mr. Lewis satisfactorily passed, without waiver, a class III medical examination April 22, 195E

Captain William E. Meckem, age 31, resided in Dubois, Wyoming. At the time of accident he was employed by the 187th Fighter Interceptor Squadron of the Wyoming Air National Guard as an air training supervisor on a full-time basis He was a rated pilot on flying status and possessed a 3-2 (white) instrument card issued by the Air Force. Captain Meckem also held a commercial pilot certificate with single-engine land and instrument ratings He held a currently valid military physical examination certificate. He had flown a total of 2,450 hours. Of this total 1,250 were in military aircraft, of which 160 were in the F-86L aircraft.

First Lieutenant Howard T. Anderson, age 30, resided at 1663 Chester, Aurora, Colorado, and was employed as a professional pilot. Lieutenant Anderson was also a member of the 187th Fighter Interceptor Squadron as a part-time reserve officer. He was a squadron pilot. He was a rated pilot on flying status and held a 3-2 (white) instrument card issued by the Air Force He also held a commercial pilot certificate with Single-engine, multi-engine, and instrument ratings. Lieutenant Anderson held currently valid FAA and Air Force medical certificates He had accumulated a total of 1,400 hours, of which 800 were in civilian aircraft and 600 were in military aircraft. He had flown 500 Jet hours, of which 250 were in the F-86L aircraft.

Beechcraft C-35, N 1839D, was manufactured in March 1952, by the Beech Aircraft Company Available records indicated it was purchased by its present owners May 19, 1959. The most recent periodic inspection was performed July 24, 1959. All air-worthiness directives had been complied with and records indicated the aircraft to have been maintained in an airworthy condition. A recording tachometer showed a total of 1,784 hours for the aircraft and a log entry of engine overhaul on January 18, 1958, indicated that since then the engine had operated 737 hours. 3 engine was a Continental, model E-185-11, and it was equipped with a Beechcraft propeller, model 215-107, blade model 215-207-88.