File B-82

Spike - let's follow this clash since it’s a post 9 airplane.

CIVIL AERONAUTICS BOARD

Washington

January 12, 1954

TO:

Messrs. Gurney, Denny, Ryan, Lee, Adams, The Executive Director

FROM:

Director, Bureau of Safety Investigation

SUBJECT:

Accident Notification-Burbank, California, January 10, 1954, 0927p, Douglas A-26B

A Douglas A-26B aircraft, N 65Y, owned by the Fullerton Oil Company, tool off from Grand Central Airport, Glendale, California, at about 0927P, struck a high tension wire, and crashed into a densely populated area in Burbank, California. One person on the ground received critical injuries, and the crew, consisting of Pilot David Thayer and Copilot Larry Bassett, received serious injuries. There were no passengers. The aircraft was destroyed by impact and fire, and several dwellings on the ground received crash and fire damage.

Immediately after becoming airborne, the left engine cowl come loose and was struck by the left propeller blades. The pilot feathered the left engine and the cowl fell on airport property. With the landing gear remaining extended and locked, altitude could not be gained. After the aircraft struck a high tension line it crashed late a house at 541 North Cordova Street, then hit two garages, and came to rest in a one-story garage apartment at 528 North Hollywood Way, Burbank. Gale Alexander, age 54, living in the apartment, received critical injuries and burns.

The weather was clear and unlimited and was not a factor to the accident.

Investigators Ralph A. Reed, George W. Haskins, and Perry B. Hodgden of the Board's Santa Monica office are at the scene of the accident conducting the investigation.

W. K. Andrews

Peyton reported no reflection on airplane crash coordination problem.