- 5 -
All three blades of the right propeller were bent and the tips of Nos. 1 and 2 were broken off. The propeller dome shell was intact and the piston was positioned at 26 degrees. The shim plates bore impact markings as follows: No. 1 at 15 degrees; No. 2, two marks at 24 degrees and 18 degrees; and No. 3 at 23 degrees.
The right engine rolled about 300 feet down a slope from the main wreckage. Several of its cylinders and rocker assemblies were broken off by impact. Examination of the power section showed adequate lubrication and there was no evidence of operating difficulty. The nose case was broken open but the gears appeared to be normal with adequate lubrication. The accessories were examined and none indicated evidence of malfunction prior to impact.
The main oil screens and sump plugs of both engines were examined and found to be free of metal particles. In addition, the main fuel screens for each engine were found to be clean and undamaged. All damage noted to both powerplants was the result of impact forces. There was no fire damage either in flight or after impact on either engine.
Maintenance records indicated that both the airframe and powerplants had been maintained in accordance with all applicable regulations. There were no outstanding discrepancies and no maintenance carry-over items which might have affected the airworthiness of the aircraft.
The radio equipment installed in N 18941 was subjected to heavy impact forces and fire which followed. The two VOR's (VHF navigation receivers) with which the aircraft was equipped were recovered. By comparing the pilots' tuning knob with an undamaged one it was determined that VOR No. 1 was tuned to 109.9 mcs. (megacycles). Inspection of the receiver confirmed this setting which is the frequency of the Tri-City ILS localizer. The tuning knob on VOR 2 indicated 111.3 mcs. but no reading could be obtained from its receiver because of extensive damage. This frequency is not one used for any radio navigational facility in the Tri-City area.
The two glide slope receivers installed were recovered but both were damaged so extaisively that no settings or other useful information could be obtained.
There was also one ADF and one low frequency receiver with fixed loop on the aircraft. Both of these receivers were found. The ADF receiver was badly damaged and burned but it was possible to determine that it was tuned to 221 kcs., the Tri-City low frequency radio range. No positive determination could be made for the low frequency receiver. However, it appeared to be set between 324 kcs. and 349 kcs.
The single VHF transceiver was tuned to 119.5 approach control frequency and the single HF transceiver was tuned to a company operating frequency.
The marker beacon receiver was recovered in fairly good condition. However, all but one tube were missing from the set. As none of the tube sockets were damaged and no pieces of tubes were found inside the receiver, it is presumed some souvenir hunter had appropriated them. After the tubes were replaced, and one connection which had been damaged at impact was repaired, the receiver operated and produced both an aural and visual signal.
