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It appears from the evidence that the flight crew of the DC3 held the proper certificates, were physically qualified, and by reason of their training and experience were qualified for the flight and equipment involved.
Loyal Tyler Penn, a captain in the U. S. Army Air Forces, stationed at Stout Field, Indianapolis, had formerly held an airline transport pilot certificate issued by the Civil Aeronautics Administration. Previous to entering the Army he had logged approximately 3755 flying hours, about 2600 of which were accumulated in airline operation.
Robert Carlyle Burrell, a second lieutenant in the U. S. Army Air forces, stationed at Stout Field, Indianapolis, held a pilot's rating in the Army and had logged about 320 solo flying hours.
Philo Henry Rhinehart, a sergeant in the U. S. Army Air Forces, was standing in the companionway back of the pilots at the time of the collision.
The Airplanes
Aircraft NC 18951 was a twin-engined Douglas model DC3, manufactured by the Douglas Aircraft Corporation and registered in the name of TWA. The aircraft and its equipment were approved by the Civil Aeronautics Administration for air carrier operation, with a capacity of 21 passengers and a crew of 4.
The Army C-53, No. 20116, a twin-engined aircraft similar to the DC3, was also manufactured by the Douglas Aircraft Corporation.
Facts Preceding the C-53 Flight
The Army pilot, Captain Penn, on the morning of the subject accident, planned his flight from Stout Field, Indianapolis, to Wichita via Torre Haute, Indiana; Effingham, Illinois; and St Louis, Columbia, and Kansas
