Aircraft Accident Report: National Airlines Flight 2511/Supplemental Data

by the Civil Aeronautics Board

S U P P L E M E N T A LD A T A

Investigation and Hearing

The Civil Aeronautics Board was notified of this accident January 7, 1960, by the Federal Aviation Agency and an investigation was immediately initiated in accordance with the authority of Title VII of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958. A public hearing was ordered by the Board and was held commencing March 22, 1960, at Wilmington, North Carolina.

The Carrier

National Airlines is a Florida corporation and maintains its principal offices in Miami, Florida. This corporation holds a current Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for scheduled and nonscheduled operations, and possesses valid Air Carrier Operating Certificates for these operations.

The Aircraft

N 8225H was a Douglas DC-6B aircraft, manufacturer's number 43742, fuselage number 300. The total time on the airframe was 24,836:49 hours, and the airframe had accumulated 11,284:13 hours since overhaul.

The engines installed were Pratt and Whitney R-2800 CB-16. No. 1 engine had a total time of 11,626:31 and 849:20 hours since last overhaul. Engine No. 2 had 21,583:37 hours total time and 1,274:28 hours since last overhaul. Engine No. 3 had 15,203:48 hours total time and 885:49 hours since last overhaul. Engine No. 4 had 7,509:24 hours total time and 1,730.00 hours since last overhaul.

The propellers installed on N 8225H were Hamilton Standard 43E60 with 6859-8 blades.

Flight Personnel

Captain Dale H. Southard, age 46, was employed by National Airlines December 2, 1942. He held a current airman certificate with an airline transport pilot rating. He had a total flight time of 16,117 hours, 8,234 of which were in DC-6 aircraft. He satisfactorily passed his last FAA first-class physical examination November 24, 1959. His last line check was completed July 8, 1959, and his six-month instrument check was completed July 6, 1959.

First Officer Richard L. Hentzell age 31, was employed by National Airlines September 30, 1954. He held a commercial pilot certificate and an instrument rating. His total flight time was 3,863 hours, 723 of which were in DC-6 equipment. His last FAA first-class physical examination was passed on September 4, 1959. His last line check was completed October 22, 1959.

Flight Engineer Robert R. Hallickson age 35, was employed by National Airlines November 20, 1954. His total flight time was 3,187 hours, of which 3,074 were in DC-6 equipment. He held a current flight engineer's certificate and an aircraft mechanic's certificate with airframe and powerplant ratings. His last second-class FAA physical examination was passed on December 22, 1959, and his last line check was completed November 21, 1959.

Stewardess Valerie E. Stewart, age 25, was employed by National Airlines November 1, 1957. Stewardess Marilu L. O'Dell, age 23, was employed by National Airlines November 1, 1957. Both had received stewardess training, including emergency procedures and ditching.

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