I.
CONDUCT OF INVESTIGATION
An accident involving aircraft NC 16015, while operating in scheduled air carrier service as Trip 9 of American Airlines, Inc., between Chicago, Illinois, and St. Louis, Missouri, occurred near the Lambert-St. Louis Airport, St. Louis, Missouri, on December 11, 1940, about 2:47 p.m. (CST). The accident resulted in major damage to the airplane and injuries to two passengers and two members of the crew. The two remaining passengers and the stewardess were not injured. The accident was reported to the Chicago office of the Civil Aeronautics Board about 3:45 p.m. by a representative of American Airlines.
Inspection and Preservation of Wreckage
Immediately after receiving this notification the Board initiated an investigation of the accident in accordance with the provisions of Section 702 (a)(2) of the Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938, as amended. An accident investigator of the Board arrived at St. Louis, Missouri, at 9:50 p.m., December 11, 1940, and after interviewing the Captain and First Officer on the flight involved, proceeded to the scene of the accident. In accordance with instructions of the Board the damaged airplane had been placed under guard and the airplane had not been disturbed except for the damage necessarily incurred in removing the Captain and First Officer from the pilot's compartment.
