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advised, at 0030:57, that they were in radar contact. When the crew requested, "How do you have us tracking toward the—ah—Gap?", at 0031:05, the controller asked for the aircraft's altitude and, during the query, switched the scope from the 30-mile to the 10-mile range setting. Approximately 3 to 4 sweeps of the antenna occurred[1] after which the Departure Controller oriented himself to the new scope picture, located the radar return of Flight 282, and advised the crew that they were left of the 287-degree radial. There was no acknowledgement for this advisory or subsequent transmissions.
1.10 Aerodrome and Ground Facilities
All ground functions such as refueling and loading, were completed at 2115 when the aircraft was ready for departure.
There were no unusual aerodrome or ground facility activities or conditions at San Francisco International Airport during the departure of Flight 282. The runway and taxiways were wet from the light rain and fog conditions existing at the time of takeoff.
1.11 Flight Recorders
No flight recorder was required or installed aboard this aircraft.
1.12 Wreckage
Initial impact was by the left wing tip at an elevation of 840 feet. The fuselage struck the hill at 860 feet, on a magnetic heading of 225 degrees and spilled over the top of the hill and down the west side of the slope. The wreckage was scattered in an area approximately 300 feet wide and 600 feet long. Sweeney's Ridge runs from northwest to southeast, and the top is 925 feet at the accident site.
There was no inflight separation of any flight control surface. The landing gear retracting cyclinders were found in the full retracted position. The flaps were found in the 25 percent position.
The four engines were found severely damaged by fire and impact. However, no operating failures were found during examination. The propeller governors of Nos. 1, 2, and 4 engines indicated engine r.p.m. settings of 2771, 2695, and 2847, respectively. Number 3 governor could not be checked because of fire damage.
Propeller shim plate impact markings were all found in the relatively high power with impact range of 22 to 26 degrees.
The No. 1 VOR receiver was found tuned to 111.2 mcs. the San Francisco TVOR frequency. The No. 2 VOR receiver was found tuned to 110.4 mcs. the
- ↑ The antenna makes approximately 13.5 revolutions per minute. This is equal to 4.5 seconds per revolution. The use of the 30-mile or 10-mile range setting is left to the controller's discretion.
