CIVIL AERONAUTICS BOARD
AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT REPORT
PAN AMERICAN WORLD AIRWAYS BOEING 707,
N 712PA OVER THE ATLANTIC BETWEEN LONDON, ENGLARD,
AND GANDER, NEWFOUNDLAND, FEBRUARY 3, 1959
SYNOPSIS
On February 3, 1959, at 2205 G. m. t., Pan American World Airways Flight 115, a Boeing 707, N 712PA, en route from Paris, France, to New York, New York, made an uncontrolled descent of approximately 29,000 feet. Following recovery the aircraft was flown to Gander, Newfoundland, where a safe landing was made. A few of the 119 passengers and 10 crew members on board sustained minor injuries; extensive structural damage to the aircraft resulted.
The aircraft was flying at an altitude of 35,000 feet in smooth air with the autopilot engaged when the captain left the cockpit and entered the main cabin. During his absence the autopilot disengaged and the aircraft smoothly and slowly entered a steep descending spiral. The copilot was not properly monitoring the aircraft's instruments or the progress of the flight and was unaware of the actions of the aircraft until considerable speed had been gained and altitude lost. During the rapid descent the copilot was unable to effect recovery. When the captain became aware of the unusual attitude of the aircraft he returned to the cockpit and with the aid of the other crew members was finally able to regain control of the aircraft. Recovery was made at an altitude of approximately 6,000 feet.
As a part of the investigation of this accident depositions were taken of the crew, personnel of the company, the manufacturer of the aircraft, manufacturers of various components, and the Federal Aviation Agency.
Following the taking of these depositions, the FAA, citing failure to comply with Part 41.62 (Pilots at Controls) of the Civil Air Regulations, levied a civil penalty against the captain. The copilot received a six-months suspension of his ATR.
Investigation
Pan American Flight 115 of February 3, 1959, was a scheduled flight between Paris, France, and New York, New York, with intermediate stops planned at London, England, and Gander, Newfoundland. The crew consisted of Captain Waldo Lynch, pilot in command; Captain Samuel Peters, copilot; J. Laird, navigator; G. Sinski, flight engineer; A. Leibner and R. Barton, pursers; and T. Clark, J. McCormack, J. Descoteaux, and P. Jones, stewardesses. Both of the captains in the flight crew were supervisory personnel and qualified as pilots in command of B-707 aircraft. The departure from Paris was routine and the trip to London was without incident.
USCOMM-DC-25158
