CIVIL AERONAUTICS BOARD

WASHINGTON, D. C.

FOR RELEASE:

May 24, 1941

2248-40

LOSS OF CONTROL WHILE TAXYING CAUSES ACCIDENT

An accident occurring near Marcalbo, Venezuela, South America on July 24, 1940, was crushed. when the pilot lost control of the aircraft while taxying to the loading romp, the Civil Aeronautics Board reported today.

The aircraft, operated by Pan American, Airways, Inc., New York, New York, was a Douglas DC3A-S1C3G, NC 25657, powered by Pratt & Whitney engines S1C3G left motor 251.43 horsepower - right motor 251.43 horsepower. The crew was s follows:

Captain

Clifton Verne George with 3844.32 flying hours.

First Officer

Robert Rene Delareuelle with 1695 hours

Radio Operator

Michael H. McFarlan

Flight Steward

John Tendick

Passengers

Frank Weiss of Carapito, Venezuela -

Pierre Boyle, Maracaibo, Venezuela

Jose del Carmon Carrasqueo, a native employee of Pan American airways, was fatally injured when struck by a propeller as the Douglas airplane was being taxied to the loading ramp at the Maracaibo Airport, Maracaibo, Venezuela.

Subsequent investigation disclosed that the flight crew had discovered a leakage hydraulic fluid from the vicinity of the hydraulic system pressure gauge shortly before arriving at Core, the last intermediate stop before Maracaibo. The leakage apparently stopped when the hydraulic pressure decreased upon lowering the landing gear. The landing at Cero had been affected and the indicated 500 pounds pressure remaining on the hydraulic system had sufficed to decelerate the airplane in a normal manner. The flight crew elected to continue the flight to Maracaibo, the terminus of the day's flight, with the landing gear remaining extended.

Upon arrival at Maracaibo a normal landing was made during which landing flaps and cowl flaps operated normally. After completing the lending roll the brakes were tasted and found to function normally, whereupon the pilot slowly taxied toward the passenger platform located in front of the hanger. This necessitated a movement in a southerly direction with a crosswind from the East. To keep the aircraft from weather cocking to the left into the wind, the tail wheel was locked in a neutral position and the left engine operated under greater power than the right.

CIVIL AERONAUTICS BOARD

WASHINGTON, D. C.

FOR RELEASE:

*2*

Arriving on the apron in front of the hanger, the tail wheel was unlocked to permit the aircraft to be turned to the right with the tail toward the hanger doors which was the usual unlanding position. However, immediately upon unlocking the tail wheel the aircraft began to weathercock *** to the left toward the closed hangar doors where three men of the servicing crew were standing. Brakes were applied but were found to be inoperative. The pilot out the master switch and the master controls were moved to the idle cut-off position. The left wing tip struck the hangar first, swinging the aircraft further to the left propeller which was still turning from its momentum. Two of the crew jumped clear while the third man was struck by the revolving the hangar. He received injuries which proved fatal. The left wing and the center nose section of the aircraft were damaged extensively. Inspection of the hydraulic system disclosed that the oil pressure on the brake system was lost due to a broken tube flare at the left cawl flap control valve, thereby rendering the wheel brake mechanism inoperative.

A subsequent investigation disclosed that the fatally injured man had been employed by Per American Airways, Inc., only twelve days prior to the accident.

PROBABLE CAUSE:

Pilot lost control of aircraft while taxying to loading ramp due to cross wind and inoperative wheel brakes.