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The aircraft hit almost vertically on a heading of about 013 degrees. There was some evidence of a very brief flash fire after impact. The speed at impact was! extremely high, as evidenced by the heavy portions of the aircraft imbedding themselves some eight feet in hard clay The resulting destruction was so explosive-li that a high degree of disintegration occurred with widespread destruction of the airframe and of the powerplants. All major components of the aircraft were found at the crash site indicating that there had been no inflight loss or separation of parts. There was no physical evidence of structural failure in flight nor of control failure nor of powerplant failure, although investigation for these possibiities was thorough."
Examination of the maintenance history and records of this aircraft indicated that maintenance had been satisfactory and in full conformance with Civil Air Regulations; no significant entries were found.
N 1502, a Martin B-260, was manufactured on December 23, 1943, and delivered to the U. S Navy on January 6, 1944 The airplane was bought from surplus by a private individual in Honduras, Central America, and sold to the Honduran Government. It was subsequently purchased from the Honduran Government by Continental Car Company and delivered to Air Research Manufacturing Company of Los Angeles, California for modification and conversion to an executive-type transport. The airplane was granted a type certificate and licensed under the provisions of a waiver of Part 9 the Civil Air Regulations, adopted by the Civil Aeronautics Board on June 17, 1953, as Order No S-574.
At the time of delivery of the airplane to Air Research for conversion it had accumulated a total of 371-15 flying hours. At the time of the accident it had accumulated a total of 2,967 15 flying hours, and a time since overhaul of 2,596.00 flying hours. The flying time since the last regular (quarterly) inspection was 76 hours and 50 minutes.
The engines were Pratt and Whitney model R-2800-CB16. All prescribed period as maintenance had been complied with. The left engine had a total time of 1,706 hours with 645 hours since overhaul, the right had a total of 1,579 hours, with 534 hours since overhaul. Propellers were Hamilton Standard model 43360 with 6895-A-8 blades Their maintenance was current and overhaul of all blades had been within prescribed limits.
This B-260 was equipped with the following.
COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT
1 - VHF Transmitter, 360 channel, 40 watts, collins 17M-1 1 - VHF Receiver, 360 channel, Collins 51X1A 1 - VRF Transceiver, 360 channel Aircraft Radio Corp., Type 210
ADF'S
2 - Bendix R5/ARN-7, modified by Qualitron to be interchangeable with MN-62
VHF NAVIGATION
1 - VHF Receiver with automatic instrumentation, Collins 51R3, with 36141 instrumentation unit
