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cowl with the ram air scoop for the carburetor attached was bent upward and rearward at an angle near the bottom left corner. The entire accessory section of the cowl was deformed somewhat with fasteners torn out in some portions and tears in others. The propeller governor and feathering pump were checked and found capable of normal operation.
The right engine also separated from the aircraft because of impact forces and was found near its nacelle. This engine suffered impact damage but examination showed that prior to impact it was functioning in a normal manner.
The left propeller was found detached from its engine. The blades were bent and damaged by impact forces; the dome was not damaged. It was determined that all three blades of the prepeller were positioned at a blade angle of 73 degrees at the time of impact. To be fully feathered the blade angle should have been 88 degrees.
The right propeller was also found detached from its engine. The dome and blades were damaged by impact forces. The blade angles were determined to be 23 or 24 degrees. These blade angles indicate that this engine was delivering power at the time of impact.
As would be expected the aircraft was badly damaged by impact and the subsequent cartwheel. None of the damage to the aircraft contributed in any way to the cause of the accident and therefore will not be described. It was determined that the CO2 fire extinguisher bottle had not been used. The landing gear and flaps were found in the up position.
Aircraft Maintenance
Pacific Air Lines performed all mayor overhauls and all major inspections of its aircraft and components, with the exception of propellers, at the company's San Francisco base The overhaul of propellers was done by an outside agency at Los Angeles the company contracted with International Flight Service, a local company, to taxi and fuel its aircraft, to perform turnaround and daily inspections if needed, and to make all necessary minor repairs.
Company dispatching for the route involved was accomplished from San Francisco. Records of aircraft and engine times, etc., were kept by the maintenance department and when it was time for an aircraft to return to San Francisco for mayor inspections or repairs, company flight control was advised and the aircraft was immediately scheduled to return to the main bass and if necessary another was sent out in its place.
N 67589 had been given a 125-hour inspection 25 or 30 hours prior to the subject flight.
N 67589 was based at Los Angeles and therefore was under the supervision of International Flight Service with respect to maintenance.
The left engine of this aircraft had a number of oil leak complaints which were entered on the flight record by several captains; these began October 19 and continued through October 26. Each item was initialed by a mechanic and an explanation given indicating the corrective action taken. Corrective action included the replacement of rocker seals and gaskets, rocker box covers, and the tightening of holddown nuts around the propeller governor. On October 25, 1959,
