Aviation Accident Report: Standard Airways Flight 388C/Supplemental Data

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

Investigation

The Civil Aeronautics Board was notified of this accident at approximately 1800 c.s.t., May 28, 1963. An investigation was immediately initiated in accordance with the provisions of Title VII of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, as amended. A public hearing was ordered by the Board and held at the Hollywood-Roosevelt Hotel, Hollywood, California, July 30 - August 2. 1963.

Air Carrier

Standard Airways, Inc, as a supplemental air carrier incorporated in the state of Maryland with its principal business office at Burbank, California. It is operated in accordance with FAA air carrier Operating certificate No. WE-119,[1] and an interim certificate for Supplemental Air Service issued by the Civil Aeronautics Board on October 5, 1962.[2] This certificate authorized the Company to transport passengers and cargo, according to specified provisions, for charter service, individual service, and service for the military establishment. The subject flight was conducted under a provision which authorized the carrier to engage in interstate, overseas, and foreign air transportation, pursuant; to contracts will the Department of Defense.

The Aircraft

The aircraft was a Lockheed Constellation L-1049G, S/N 4541, manufactured on March 17, 1954, and purchased by Trans Canada Air Lines as CF-TGB. It was purchased by the California Airmotive Corporation on March 24, 1962, with a total time of 19,008 hours and relicensed under U. S. registry to N 9739Z. Ownership was transferred to Standard Airways on July 30, 1962, and the aircraft relicensed to N 189S. At the time of the accident the aircraft had a total time of 19,803.9 hours and a time since overhaul of 795.9 hours. The aircraft was equipped with four Wright cyclone engines model 972TC18DA1, and four Curtiss electric propellers, hub design C634S-C504. Summarized engine and propeller data follow:

Englne Position

No. 1

No. 2

No. 3

No. 4

S/N

547275

700576

547253

547356

TSO

795.9

987.1

923.1

1017.8

TT

12991.5

8719.9

14048.8

12349.3

Propeller Position

No. 1

No. 2

No. 3

No. 4

Hub S/N

173882

171896

175713

172191

TSO

1907.3

1579.5

1445.9

2251.8

TT

Unknown

17940.9

7649.5

15802 9

Flight Personnel

Captain David R. Brown, age 44, was employed by Standard Airways, Inc., on March 28, 1961. He holds valid airline transport pilot certificate No. 390404 with ratings for Lockheed Constellation DC-3/4, DC-6/7, and C-46 type aircraft. Captain Brown has a total of approximately 16,200.00 flying hours of which 3,287 hours are in the Lockheed Constellation and 357 hours in the model 1049G aircraft. He satisfactorily completed a company proficiency check on March 9, 1963, and an FAA en route inspection on August 12, 1962. He held an FAA first-class medical certificate with no limitations, dated January 21, 1963.

First Officer Joseph A. Merlo, age 39, was employed by Standard Airways, Inc., on December 31, 1962. He holds valid FAA commercial pilot certificate No. 141077 with multiengine land and instrument ratings. First Officer Merlo has a total of approximately 9,000 flying hours of which 2,500 hours are in L-1049G/H type aircraft. He satisfactorily completed his last FAA flight proficiency check on December 31, 1962. He held an FAA first-class medical certificate dated October 12, 1962 with the following limitation, The holder shall possess correcting glasses for near vision while exercising the privileges of his airman's certificate.

Flight Engineer Peter H. Raymen, age 39, was employed by Standard Airways, Inc., on November 1, 1962. He holds valid FAA flight engineer certificate No. 1360213 and has approximately 4,395 flight engineer hours of which 1,150 hours are in L-1049G/H and 749 type aircraft. He satisfactorily completed an equipment and proficiency check on November 3, 1962, and an FAA en route check on November 3, 1962. Flight Engineer Raymen held an FAA second-class medical certificate with no limitations, dated September 25, 1962.

Stewardess Sandra R. Wise, age 25, was employed by Standard Airways Inc., October 31, 1962. Her last proficiency stewardess line check was passed on November 16, 1962, and she completed the emergency evacuation training in Constellation aircraft on December 12. 1962.

Stewardess Ann R. Allen, age 28, was employed by Standard Airways, Inc., May 24, 1963 She completed the emergency evacuation training in Constellation type aircraft to May 28, 1963. Her initial stewardess proficiency line check was to be accomplished on the subject flight.


  1. In accordance with the authority contained in Title VI, Section 609 of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, as amended, the FAA suspended air carrier operating certificate WE-119 on an emergency basis indefinitely, effective midnight, January 31, 1964. The suspension was based on the inability of the Carrier to meet requirements of Section 401 of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 regarding the financial condition of the carrier to conduct supplemental air transportation.
  2. The Civil Aeronautics Board ordered a 30-day suspension of the interim operating certificate held by Standard Airways, Inc., effective February 12, 1964. (Order No. E-20468)