Page:CAB Accident Report, TWA Flight 891.pdf/59

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(1} lightning strike (and, therefore, subsequent formation of static electriCity discharges, see par. 11.h.18);

(2) sound of the explosion, or explosions; (3) fall of the plane's burning wreckage. C 0 N C L U S I 0 N

Of the seven hypotheses mentioned in par. 114.1: and discussed

the Comnnssmn, in the absence of further significant and concrete eVidence, pomts to the hypotheSis dealt with in per. 1h.h.2.6, namely:

EbCpIOSion Set off by static electricity discharges (streamer corona) as the probable cause of the accident.

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CHAPTER XV RECGISTRUCTICIJ OF THE FLIGHT UP TO THE MOMENT OF THE CRASH

TWA Flight No. 891/26 began at Athens (Greece) at 10:15 a.m. on June 26, 1959 by Lockheed 16494 plane No. 8083-H, stopping at Rome at 12:15 pm.

At Rome there was a change of plane and the flight was resumed on the Lockheed l6h9-A plane No. 7313-0.

Capt. Jack Dans, who boarded the plane at Rome, was not on duty during the flight but was returning to Chicago for his rest turn.

The plane left Rome at 2:00 13,111. and reached Milan at 3:36 p.m. after a normal flight.

At the Malpensa Airport Capt. Grade Went, accompanied by the TWA representative, Mr. G. Home, to the Weather Station and the Operations Office for the clearing operations pertaining to the Malpensa-Paris flight. At the Weather Station the information on weather conditions was given to Capt. Grade by the technician on duty, Lt. Vincenzo Vacirca.

0n the chart (see Annex XV—Z), the history of the flight from the Helpensa Airport up to the time of the crash was reconstructed on the basis