Aviation Accident Report: Eastern Air Lines Flight 609/Supplemental Data

by the Civil Aeronautics Board

S U P P L E M E N T A L⁠D A T A

 

Investigation

 

The Civil Aeronautics Board was notified of this accident shortly after it occurred. An investigation was made in accordance with the provisions of Section 701 (a) (2) of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 and the Board's regular investigation procedures.

 

Air Carrier

 

Eastern Air Lines, Inc., is a Delaware corporation with corporate office in New York City. The air carrier is engaged in the transportation of persons, property, and mail by virtue of current certificates of public convenience and necessity issued by the Civil Aeronautics Board. It possesses an air carrier operating certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Agency for various routes including the one involved.

 

Flight Personnel

 

Captain C. J. Smith, age 44, was employed by Eastern Air Lines March 16, 19112, and was promoted to captain September 20, 1945. He had flown 13,972 hours, exclusive of military time, and about 1,000 hours in the DC-7. He held a currently valid airman certificate with airline transport, Martin 202/404, and Douglas DC-3, 4, 6, and 7 ratings. He had satisfactory physical examinations prior to the accident and immediately after it.

Pilot R. W. Sidletski, age 32, was employed by the company on May 2, 1955. He had flown 6,603 hours, exclusive of military time, and 779 hours in the equipment involved. The pilot was currently certificated and trained for his flight crew position.

Flight Engineer R. H. Headland, age 36, was employed by Eastern Air Lines December 7, 1953. He had flown 5,366 hours, of which l,415 were in DC-7B equipment. The flight engineer was currently certificated and trained for his flight crew position.

Flight Attendants Victor Quinones, Rosemary McBorley, and Sally Richard were currently qualified for their positions.

 

The Aircraft

 

Douglas DC-7B, N 824D, at the time of the accident had accumulated 4,938 hours since new. It was equipped with Curtiss-Wright engines and Hamilton Standard propellers.